Top 5 Best 3D Plugins - What's The Best 3D Plugin for Audio?
I spent a lot of time in the last few years developing software that gives the user the capability to make 3D sounds in one place. A 3D plugin is a software that can be used to create a perception of 3D sound. Many developers have apps and plugins that help create a 3D audio effect, but which ones are good and worth your time?
In this article, we're going to have a look at the 5 best plugins out there to create 3D music, including their pros, cons, and some information about each of them.
We'll take a look at what extra features Audiocube has to make it one of the best on the market at the moment.
Interested in audio plugins? Check out our other articles:
In This Article...
3D plugins are software that add not only width but also height and depth to your sounds.
You will see what choices there are out there to create 3D music, including brief descriptions.
I will share the pros and cons of the best 5 plugins.
Audiocube can help create 3D music with just a few clicks.
What is a 3D Plugin?
When I talk about a 3D plugin, I’m usually referring to a VST that is used within a DAW that is used for modeling the perception of three-dimensional space in sound. These plugins don’t just move audio left and right like traditional panning – they add depth, height, and even simulate how sounds interact with the listener’s head or environment.
In simple terms, a 3D plugin makes it feel like sounds are coming from above, below, behind, or all around you, just like in real life. This is often done using techniques like binaural processing, HRTF (Head-Related Transfer Function), or spatial reverb.
Over the years, I’ve tried dozens of these tools across music production, sound design, and immersive media work. 3D plugins can completely transform how your audio feels, and update how you can view music as a whole to stop you from being dead set in your ways.
Top 5 3D Plugins
Making 3D music can often be quite challenging and time-consuming, especially if you're having to record the music binaurally. Here are some tools and software that can help you make 3D music:
1. Audiocube
Download Audiocube Today!
Technically, it’s not a plugin at all; it’s a full, standalone DAW built specifically for 3D and spatial audio, and that's what makes it a great software to use. Instead of relying on a chain of different plugins to create immersive soundscapes, Audiocube gives you everything in one clean, purpose-built interface.
Pros:
All-in-one solution for spatial audio – no need to juggle multiple plugins.
Real-time 3D positioning, reverb zones such as sound barriers, motion tools, and more.
Intuitive interface designed specifically for spatial creativity.
Cons:
Not available as a plugin – you’ll need to export audio if using another DAW.
Workflow can take a bit of adjustment if you're used to traditional DAWs.
2. L-Acoustics L-ISA Studio
This is the studio version of the 3D sound system used at massive live shows. It’s a complete software toolkit that lets you place and move sounds in a virtual 3D space to create hyper-realistic audio.
Pros:
Sounds extremely realistic, especially on headphones.
A full, all-in-one solution for creating 3D mixes.
Your mix can be played on headphones or scaled up to huge speaker systems.
Cons:
It’s a whole new workflow to learn, not just a simple plugin.
Can be heavy on your computer's processor (CPU).
The free version has limits, and the full professional version is costly.
3. Dolby Atmos Production Suite
Dolby’s Atmos system has become a gold standard in immersive sound, especially in film and Apple Music. The Production Suite plugin allows you to author and monitor Dolby Atmos mixes directly from your DAW project.
Pros:
One of the bigger industry-standard software programs for immersive audio mixing.
Supports multichannel formats and binaural rendering.
Compatible with major DAWs like Pro Tools and Nuendo.
Cons:
Requires an external renderer and a specific setup.
Complex and not ideal for beginners.
Limited flexibility unless you work in high-end post-production workflows.
4. Sound Particles
Sound Particles is a unique tool that creates huge, detailed soundscapes. Instead of placing single sounds by hand, you tell it to generate thousands of tiny sound particles in a 3D space, like creating a swarm of spaceships or a massive crowd.
Pros:
Creates massive, complex soundscapes that feel alive.
Lets you design huge scenes very quickly.
The go-to tool in Hollywood for big-budget sound design.
Cons:
It’s a standalone program, so you have to export your sound back into your main DAW.
The workflow is very different and can take time to learn.
It can be overkill if you just need to place a few sounds.
5. Blue Ripple Sound O3A Core
This one’s for the Ambisonics nerds. O3A Core by Blue Ripple Sound is a plugin suite designed for higher-order ambisonic production. It’s great if you're working with immersive installations or VR/AR audio.
Pros:
True higher-order ambisonics support.
Integrates well with spatial renderers and VR platforms.
Broad toolset for decoding, encoding, and processing.
Cons:
Ambisonic's workflow requires a deep understanding, not beginner-friendly.
More technical than musical – not always ideal for creative mixing.
Limited usability outside of VR, installations, or specialized formats.
As you can see, there are a lot of tools out there to help you make 3D music. Whether you're looking to create a subtle landscape like a background image or to create a full track.
Audiocube collates what these plugins can do and puts them into one place so you don't need to jump between plugins.
You can try Audiocube for free today, or you can buy the lifetime license for access to all of the features.
Other Useful Audiocube Features
What makes Audiocube stand out isn’t just the 3D positioning; it’s the way everything is built around spatial sound from the ground up. Here are a few helpful features I rely on regularly:
Download Audiocube and Try Out These Features Yourself
7 Unique Devices - You can find 7 unique devices available with Audiocube, each of them have a different purpose, with the ability to interact together. These include: Samplers, Emitters, Tickers, FX Zones, Logic Boxes, Ambience, and Soundwalls.
Binaural HRTF Processing: To enhance the immersive quality of audio playback, Audiocube incorporates Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) processing. This technique simulates how human ears perceive sound from different directions, providing a more natural and three-dimensional listening experience, especially when using headphones.
Motion Automation: Draw and apply motion paths to animate sounds around the listener. Whether you're crafting subtle ambiance or bold, moving effects, spatial movement becomes fast and creative.
Acoustic Simulation: Use built-in boundaries and parameters to recreate reflections, occlusion, and distance-based sound absorption to make your scenes feel realistic. Sound behaves naturally in the space, reacting to walls and surfaces, and you can change the settings in great detail. It's all processed in real-time, so no waiting around!
These are just a few additional features that make Audiocube a great software for 3D sound. You can try Audiocube for free today, or buy a lifetime license to access all of the features.
Create 3D Audio With Audiocube! Get Started Today
As you can see, there are quite a few cool plugins out there that can help you when creating 3D music.
Each of them have their own pros and cons, and it's always best to do your own research before you choose or start paying for any subscription or license.
If you're looking for software for everything in one place, then look no further. Thanks to Audiocube, you can have all of the best elements in one neat package.
Why not give it a go yourself today? Download Audiocube now or buy the license for your chance to access all of its features.
FAQ About 3D Plugins
-
A 3D plugin is a tool used in music or sound software that adds depth and space to audio. It makes sounds feel like they’re coming from different directions or distances. Audiocube works like a 3D plugin but is more powerful, letting you place sounds in a 3D space visually and easily.ription text goes here
-
Yes, there are free 3D plugins like dearVR MICRO, Transpanner 2, and Envelop for Live that let you position sound in space for immersive audio. These are great for beginners. Audiocube goes further by offering an easy, visual way to place sounds in 3D, perfect for more advanced creative control.
-
Some of the best 3D plugins include dearVR PRO, Dolby Atmos Production Suite, and Sound Particles. These tools help you create immersive, spatial audio experiences. While plugins are powerful, Audiocube gives you a full visual environment to place sounds in 3D space, making the process easier and more creative.
