Surround sound audio systems, while becoming increasingly more popular, date back to the 1930s and 40s. Initially conceived for use in cinemas with Disneys ‘fantasia’, the core idea was to use several sound channels to immerse the audience in the film. While mono utilises one channel, and stereo utilises two (left and right), surround sound utilises many that are positioned around the listener to create space and depth. While this new technology was very interesting, the Broadway Theater in New York and the Carthay Circle Theater in Los Angeles were the only two locotaios screening fantasia that had the capabilities for the technology, and it fell into redundance.
However, surround audio made a come back with ‘Dolby Stereo’ in 1975, which introduced the now standard format of a centre channel, a left and a right channel, and then side channels and rear channels (most commonly seen in 5.1 and 7.1 formats). At this stage most big block busters, such as Star Wars, were being mixed for surround sound, however it wasn’t until 1982 that surround sound technology was available for commercial and home settings. In 2012 Pixar released the first Dolby atmos film ‘brave’, heralding 3D audio.
Musically, Pink Floyd played the first ever gig with quadrophonic audio in London in 1967, placing 4 speakers across each corner in the concert hall. Since, surround sound audio has only grown in popularity with most big album releases in the modern day getting a surround sound mix in addition. However, I think surround sound audio is somewhat limited for two reasons: firstly, not everyone has the capabilities to physically listen to surround sound mixes. A pair of stereo headphones is a lot cheaper than a surround sound audio system, and surround sound audio can’t be listened to on the go. Secondly, only three streaming platforms currently support surround sound audio, Apple Music, amazon music and Tidal.
A brief history of surround sound (no date) KEF US. Available at: https://us.kef.com/blogs/news/a-brief-history-of-surround-sound (Accessed: 26 April 2024).
The History of Surround Sound (no date) Official Fluance Blog. Available at: https://blog.fluance.com/history-surround-sound/#:~:text=Although%20most%20consumers%20look%20upon,released%20his%20revolutionary%20film%20Fantasia. (Accessed: 26 April 2024).