BKW Engineering Digital Event – 3D sound experience in livestream

The BKW Engineering Event 2021 should have been a classic company event – networking, presentations, shared experiences.

But then came Corona. A virtual format had to be created from a physical event within a very short space of time. Not just any event – but a digital experience that would be better, more immersive and more emotional than anything before.

The 3D sound experience creates a seamless illusion of being physically present at the event.

But how do you create real connection, physical proximity and goosebump moments when 2,200 people are only connected digitally?

Digital event BKW Engineering (3D sound experiences in the livestream)

BKW Engineering was faced with a challenge due to coronavirus: a company event that was originally a physical event had to be transformed into a digital format at short notice due to the pandemic. But simply streaming content?

That’s not enough to create real experiences. This gave rise to the idea of a digital event that was not only informative, but also emotionally captivating thanks to 3D Audio, which captures every detail of the sounds and thus creates an immersive sound environment.

Why? – A digital event needs real closeness: The problem: lack of emotionality at virtual events

Virtual events often have the reputation of being monotonous and flat. Although video streams live, there is hardly any feeling of real closeness or an immersive sound experience.

Participants usually sit in isolation at home, experience one-dimensional stereo sound and quickly lose attention and interest. BKW wanted to take a new approach here and make virtual meetings as lively and emotional as real meetings.

The 3D sound experience captivates participants and draws their eyes, creating a more personal and emotional connection.

How? – Creating immersion with revolutionary audio technology: The idea: 3D sound experience as a game changer

Instead of conventional stereo streams, Habegger opted for innovative 3D audio, inspired by the latest technologies such as Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. The idea: to create a real presence through spatially differentiated sounds and realistic soundscapes.

With high-quality headphones (including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max), listeners could use their head movements to hear sounds, music and voices from different directions. This recognition of movement created a unique feeling of being in the middle of the action – an audiovisual milestone in event design.

What? – The unique digital event experience with sound: What is 3D audio, not just for movies

3D audio is a revolutionary technology that makes it possible to experience sound as if it were coming from different directions and distances. Imagine listening to a concert and being able to perceive exactly where each instrument is located on stage – that’s the magic of 3D audio.

This technology creates an immersive and realistic sound experience that goes far beyond what conventional stereo sound can offer. By using 3D audio, the listening experience becomes more immersive and vivid as the sounds fill the space around you and create a natural soundscape.

Technical basics of 3D audio

The technical basis of 3D audio is impressive and complex. Sophisticated algorithms and advanced processing techniques are used to create authentic soundscapes.

One of the key technologies is Dolby Atmos, an object-based sound technology that makes it possible to place sound elements precisely at strategic locations in a 3D space. This technology adapts flexibly to different hardware setups, whether via headphones or specialised speakers.

The combination of software and hardware achieves an impressive depth and dimension of sound that takes the listening experience to a new level.

Dolby Atmos and 3D audio at a glance

Dolby Atmos is one of the leading technologies that enables 3D audio. In contrast to conventional surround sound systems, which are based on channels, Dolby Atmos is object-based.

This means that each sound element is treated as an independent object that can be placed at a specific point in the 3D space. This technology is not only available in cinemas, but also on Apple Music and can be played with headphones or selected 360 Reality Audio speakers such as the Echo Studio.

Dolby Atmos ensures that music and films achieve a new dimension of immersion by putting the listener right in the middle of the action.

Realisation: event entertainment redefined

A unique 200 m² TV studio was built for the digital format, in which comedienne Hazel Brugger welcomed prominent guests – including BKW Engineering CEO Michael Schüepp and Oliver Kahn.

2,200 viewers followed the stream live and experienced the innovative 3D Sound Experience up close. In addition, goody bags and entertaining teaser videos were sent out in advance to create excitement and anticipation for the event.

Result: Enthusiasm on all channels with a special sound

The participants were thrilled: the innovative combination of high-quality audio, exciting entertainment and modern event technology set new standards.

The event was awarded Silver at the XAVER Award 2022 as Best Corporate Event – a confirmation of how impressive virtual 3D Sound Experiences can be.

Additional information shows that the event was not only successful, but also received consistently positive feedback from the participants.

The idea and implementation behind it as a 3D radio play

The goal was clear: we wanted to make the core values of BKW Engineering – entrepreneurial, forward-looking and based on partnership – tangible. At the same time, the network concept and the authentic charm of the DACH region should be audible and tangible.

In order to exploit the full potential of 3D Audio, I first gave a virtual workshop via Miro, in which we collected ideas together and developed an entertaining storyline that loosened up the event and made it lively.

The result was an interactive story that was provided with targeted and particularly effective 3D audio elements. Having already been introduced as a character in an interview, it was only natural that I became part of my own experience.

And although I can’t act, I simply led the audience through the various stations as an authentic auditory guide in my own personal way.

I was accompanied by charming and authentic co-guides: Richard Putzinger from Austria, Claudia Trachsler from Switzerland and the experienced linguist Tobias Schmutzler, who took on the role of radio announcer.

Here is the audio sample on YouTube:

The client was Habegger AG with the kind support of Samuel Röthlisberger, Marion Häring and Aline Piazza.

Bonus: suddenly Hazel-Brugger interviews me about spatial audio

Because the engineers were so enthusiastic about the 3D audio technology and I was able to infect them with my enthusiasm, I was even spontaneously interviewed by comedienne Hazel Brugger herself. At first, many people couldn’t imagine what exactly we had in mind with this immersive sound experience.

However, I was able to convince all the skeptics with numerous vivid examples that convincingly demonstrated how impressive and immersive the result could be – and the calculation worked out.

In the interview, I spoke to Hazel Brugger in a humorous and relaxed way about why three-dimensional sound is more natural and appealing, why spatial hearing is so important for people, and also explained why good sound is often underestimated.

Hazel was particularly interested in why we haven’t been recording everything in 3D for a long time and how spatial acoustics actually work. The dialog was entertaining, vivid and perfectly underlined how fascinating and relevant 3D audio technology can be for the future of digital events.

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