We design software for sound spatialization
February 16, 2024,
New versions are here!
SpatGRIS (3.3.5) is a software designed for multichannel spatialization in 2D and 3D.
ControlGRIS (1.4.3) is a plugin designed to send trajectories data in OSC to SpatGRIS.
Where to find them
Our software is available on SourceForge. They are free and Open Source.
SpatGRIS and ControlGRIS are grouped within the same installer. Go to the Files tab to find everything.
Version 3.3.5: MacOS from 10.15 (Catalina) to 14 (Sonoma), M1-M2-M3 processors and Windows 10-11 compatible.
UPDATE (February 16, 2024)
New version: SpatGRIS 3.3.5
What’s new:
— The version 3.3.5 is now fully compatible with Mac Apple Silicon M1, M2 and M3.
—Speaker Setup 3D view is now a separate application: SpeakerView.
— There is a French Manual
— Comes with ControlGris 1.4.3 with new features in Cube mode: Extended Top and Extended Bottom for full Cube.
We have worked very hard to publish SpatGRIS 3.3.5, based on BlackHole and compatible with the newest MacOS and with Windows 10-11. They work also on Pro Tools.
ControlGRIS
An OSC plugin
ControlGRIS is a plugin (Mac AAX/AU/VST/VST3 and Windows AAX/VST format) designed to create multichannel space. It allows the user to design sound trajectories in 2D or in 3D under any shape of speaker setup. It includes two spatialization modes, DOME and CUBE with a lot of possibilities. Automated Trajectories are included.
ControlGRIS receives and send OSC data. Templates for OSC external software, such as Open Source Control or Lemur for iPad are provided.
A Quick Start Guide as well as a complete manual are provided. The complete manual is in the Help menu of SpatGRIS and also available separately.
ControlGRIS version 1.4.3. February 16, 2024
SpatGRIS
A sound spatialization software
SpatGRIS is a standalone multichannel sound spatializer for different configurations of speakers in 2D or 3D. SpatGRIS may include up to 256 inputs and outputs. The trajectories and positions are received from the ControlGRIS or from any OSC device. The audio spatialization itself is made by SpatGRIS and sent to the audio interface. DOME, CUBE, BINAURAL and STEREO modes are available. It is independent of any audio server but we provide BlackHole as a virtual audio device. SpatGRIS includes a multitrack Recorder and a Player. The Speaker Setups design are made within the software.
A Quick Start Guide as well as a complete manual are provided. The complete manual is in the Help menu of SpatGRIS and also available separately.
SpatGRIS version 3.3.5. February 16, 2024
What they look like
Screenshots of ControlGRIS and SpatGRIS
ControlGRIS Trajectories
SpatGRIS Interface
ControlGRIS Configuration
SpatGRIS Controls
ControlGRIS CUBE View
SpatGRIS CUBE View
ControlGRIS DOME View
SpatGRIS DOME View
FAQ
How many channels is it possible to spatialize with SpatGRIS ?
In practice, we decided to limit the amount of input channels and the number of speakers to 256. We think this should be enough for the vast majority of potential situations in concert.
—
SpatGRIS is NOT based on Jack anymore. It’s now independent.
This is the main difference with SpatGRIS 2. SpatGRIS 3 is independent from any virtual audio device. We recommend and provide BlackHole because we like it, it’s robust, flexible and reliable. And it provides 256 inputs/outputs!
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Can I do a quick test to see if it suits me ?
Absolutely. We have written a document called Quick Start Guide that allows you, in 11 easy steps, to configure your system. Works every time.
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How to control spatialization with SpatGRIS ?
Right now, the best tool is the ControlGRIS which is a plug-in that you insert into your favourite sequencer. It is ControlGRIS that sends OSC data to SpatGRIS to establish positions and trajectories. ControlGRIS can also receive OSC data from different software running on iPad, like Open Stage Control and Lemur.
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How many algotithms are there in SpatGRIS ?
There are two algorithms (1 and 2) and three modes (3 to 5) in SpatGRIS:
1) DOME (Vector Base Amplitude Panning), for speaker domes.
2) CUBE (Matrix Base Amplitude Panning), for all other speaker configurations.
3) HYBRID, a DOME algorithm with some CUBE behaviours.
4) BINAURAL, for listening with headphones at home.
5) STEREO, for stereo listening on speakers.
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Does SpatGRIS work on all platforms ?
Yes! SpatGRIS and ControlGRIS work very well on MacOS, from 10.15 (Catalina) to 14 (Sonoma). There are also Windows 10-11 versions. BlackHole is not working for Windows, and will never do. Suggestions for alternatives are made in the manual and on a video below.
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Does SpatGRIS work with ProTools?
Yes! We have produced an AAX version of ControlGRIS that is officially approved by AVID. This is one of the other great novelty of the version 3 of our tools.
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Join us ! We’ll only send cool stuff
Articles
List of articles published by GRIS researchers about sound spatialization in music composition.
An Immersive Approach to 3D-Spatialized Music Composition, Audio Mostly 2018
D.Ledoux, R.Normandeau
learn more
SpatGRIS/ServerGRIS Creative tools for 2D and 3D sound spatialization, ICMC 2018
D.Ledoux, R.Normandeau, O.Bélanger, C.Lengelé
learn more
DÉVELOPPEMENTS RÉCENTS D’OUTILS DE SPATIALISATION SONORE DU GRIS : CONTROLGRIS ET SPATGRIS
R.Normandeau, N. Giannini, G. Lane-Lépine, JIM 2023
learn more new linkThey talk about sound spatialization
Object-Based Audio
« Immersive audio is necessary for any convincing XR experience. However, many times it is not clear how to create a natural audio layer when trying to go beyond traditional headphones […] »
learn more
IMERSA Summit 2019
« The 10 year anniversary of the IMERSA (Immersive Media Entertainment, Research, Science & Arts) Summit was recently celebrated in a snowy Columbus, Ohio at COSI (Center of Science and Industry) […] »
learn more
Audio Mostly 2018
« Short Papers : Sound in Immersion
An Immersive Approach to 3D Spatialized Music Composition: Tools and Pilot Survey
(David Ledoux and Robert Normandeau) »
learn more
Our super Team
The GRIS (Groupe de recherche en immersion spatiale-Research Group in Spatial Immersion) was founded in 2009 in order to create tools for sound spatialization in multichannel format. A group of composers and programmers grouped around the Faculté de musique at Université de Montréal.
Robert Normandeau
Director
Composer and professor
Nicola Giannini
Research Assistant Composer, Doctoral student
Gaël Lane Lépine
Main Programmer 2022
Devin Roth
Consultant
Composer and programmer, Creator of BlackHole
David Piazza
Research Assistant Composer, bachelor student
Gabrielle Caux
Research Assistant
Composer, Master student
Former programmers: Colin Martel, Antoine Missout, Joseph Thibaudeau. Vincent Berthiaume, Olivier Bélanger, Samuel Béland
Former assistants: Simone d’Ambrosio, Theo Mathien, Raphaël Néron-Baribeau, Ofer Pelz, Dominic Thibault, Alexis Langevin-Tétrault, Vincent Monastesse, David Ledoux, Yohan Brimicombe, Christophe Lengelé, Mélanie Frisoli
Former trainees: Ludovic Laffineur, Antoine Landrieu, Nicolas Masson
2
PROJECTS
Too many!
WORKED HOURS
6
PEOPLE
Contact us
We are a small team, but we are the first users of our software. Please send us comments, testimony, suggestions, bugs, We’ll do our best to enhance your experience with multichannel spatialization.
GRIS is subsidized by these organizations since 2008
