Extended Reality (XR) is revolutionizing content creation by combining virtual, augmented, and mixed reality to offer immersive experiences. These environments are crucial not only for entertainment but also for higher education, business, and healthcare. XR technologies rely on sophisticated audio/video (AV) systems and precise acoustic design to deliver high-quality content. While visuals often take center stage, acoustical and AV infrastructure planning are equally important. Poor acoustics can disrupt audio recording, complicate post-production, and hinder performer interaction, while inadequate AV systems can cause synchronization issues, latency, and scalability challenges.

Before we dive into acoustic and audio/video considerations for the development of XR studios, let us first go over the fundamentals of this topic. XR technology refers to the digital tools, systems, and platforms used to produce and experience virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Michael Markley, CTS-D, Senior Audio/Video Consultant at Jaffe Holden, breaks these down for us here:

“Technology can be a bridge to create content and develop new ideas on how we educate and produce engaging experiences. A new form of video production and content creation utilizes the latest and greatest in LED and video capture technology. This new form of video production called XR stands for extended reality and can also be described as a virtual production, but how is it different than what we have seen in the past in terms of video production? Extended reality is the concept of using technology to augment or modify our world to create a new visual experience that combines the physical and the digital. The concept of XR also includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).

Virtual Reality (VR) is the concept of creating a simulated digital environment that users can interact with. Virtual reality is very popular in the world of gaming. Many manufacturers have developed technologies that cover a person’s eyes and ears to immerse the user in a game or video that creates the experience of being physically in a digital world. Enhancements such as controllers or specially made gloves allow users to interact with the digital environment. Immersive audio through headphones also enhances the user in the immersive experience making the user hear the digital environment in real time.

Augmented reality is the idea of overlaying digital elements on the physical world using technology such as a phone or specially made glasses. This technology is greatly utilized in the social media market using applications like Snapchat or other types of video sharing content. The applications allow for the use of digital elements to overlay on the physical world, but do not interact with the physical world. This includes text and images that are used to augment our world through our phone screens or other types of immersive technology.

Mixed reality utilizes technology to create immersive computer-generated environments in which elements of the physical and virtual environment interact with each other in real time. This technology is also greatly utilized in the social media market using applications like Snapchat or other types of video sharing content. The applications allow for the use of digital elements to augment a person’s face or create digital elements that seem to interact with our world. Retailers utilize this technology to preview what certain types of furniture or other items look and feel in a customer’s personal space. With the use of a camera, mapping software, and a screen or other immersive devices these digital elements can be placed in our world and feel like they are physically in the room.”

“There are many ways to create digital content for extended reality, but it comes down to what type of content you are trying to make and what are you going to utilize it for. As the cost of this technology becomes more efficient, there are many applications in which extended reality can be used from film and live productions to education/research and advertising. All of the digital content for extended reality is created using computer generated digital environments or elements using animation software such as gaming engines like Unreal Engine. Hardware can then be utilized to extend the digital content to the physical world using cameras, sensors, displays, and processors.

The application and scale of this technology and systems can vary depending on what the user’s intended purpose and end results can be. This needs to be kept in mind when creating an XR space or studio environment,” said Markley.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you are planning for an XR space:

1. Do users need to interact with the digital world in real time, or can experiences be pre-rendered?
2. How important is audio to the overall experience? Does the space require spatial audio, sound isolation, or high-fidelity recording?
3. Will the space be used for film, video production, or live streaming?
4. Is the space designed for live productions with an in-person or virtual audience?
5. Does the application require immersive displays, such as floor-to-ceiling screens or 360-degree projection?
6. Is motion capture essential for the space’s functionality?
7. How should the space operate in terms of user autonomy versus technical staff support?
8. How many simultaneous users will interact within the space, and what level of collaboration is required?
9. What type of XR hardware (VR headsets, AR glasses, haptic devices) will be used, and how will they integrate with the space?
10. Are there specific environmental requirements (lighting conditions, ceiling height, tracking sensors) that could impact performance?
11. Does the space need to support wired or wireless XR devices, and is the network infrastructure sufficient?
12. Will the space be used for structured classes, independent research, or interdisciplinary collaboration?
13. How will faculty, students, or general users be trained to use the XR space effectively?
14. What policies and procedures need to be in place for equipment checkout, maintenance, and security?
15. How will the XR space be integrated with existing educational or operational technology systems?

Read the next part of this deep dive into Extended Reality and learn more about acoustic and audio/video design considerations for XR studios.