“Spatial” and “immersive” audio are buzzwords that we seem unable to escape in today’s world of live sound, but what do they actually mean and how do we use them — if we even should at all? Theatre sound designer Nat Houle joins the show in Episode 289 to provide a “manufacturer-agnostic” take on the topic, benefits and limitations, and much more. This episode is sponsored by Allen & Heath and RCF.

Houle, a 2025 USITT Rising Star winner for sound design, works as a designer and associate across the U.S. Last year, she launched a website, NMH Spatial, aimed at introducing folks to the benefits of spatial audio, in addition to shedding light on a number of common myths and misconceptions about the technology and how it can enable and impact your art.

Episode Links:
Nat Houle Website
NMH Spatial
Nat’s Blog On SoundGirls.org
Q&A: Natalie “Nat” Margaret Houle, 2025 USITT Rising Star Winner
Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA)
Pat MacKay Scholarships For Diversity In Design
USITT
Episode 289 Transcript

Spatial Resources:
TiMax
L-Acoustics L-ISA
Meyer Sound Spacemap Go
d&b audiotechnik Soundscape
FLUX:: SPAT

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The Signal To Noise Podcast on ProSoundWeb is co-hosted by pro audio veterans Andy Leviss and Sean Walker.

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