In a landmark move for the professional audio industry, TiMax and Sonosphere have officially launched a cutting-edge immersive audio hub in London. Unveiled in July 2025, this state-of-the-art facility represents a pivotal moment for sound design, mixing, and production, creating a seamless bridge between the dynamic world of live events and the precision of studio post-production.
Based at the iconic Metropolis Studios, the collaboration combines TiMax’s world-leading spatial audio technology with Sonosphere’s expertise in immersive production, establishing a new benchmark for what’s possible in sound. Let’s take a deep dive into what makes this hub a game-changer.
A New Epicentre for Immersive Audio
This isn’t just another studio; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem designed for the future of audio. The facility is built to handle the most demanding projects, from large-scale theatrical productions and international concert tours to groundbreaking VR/AR experiences and Dolby Atmos music mixing.
The partnership leverages the strengths of both companies: TiMax’s unparalleled reputation in live show control and object-based spatialisation, and Sonosphere’s proven track record in delivering high-fidelity immersive content. The result is a facility that rivals major international studios, offering a unique “live-to-post” workflow.
At the Core: The Technology
The power of the TiMax & Sonosphere Immersive Hub lies in its integrated, best-in-class technology.
The Mixing Room: A 26.4.6 Soundscape
The centrepiece of the hub is the breathtaking 26.4.6 TiMax mixing room. This configuration, comprising 26 surround speakers, 4 subwoofers, and 6 height channels, allows for an unprecedented level of detail and envelopment. Sound designers and engineers can place and move audio objects with pinpoint accuracy, creating truly three-dimensional soundscapes that are impossible to achieve in traditional stereo or surround formats.
The Brains: TiMax SoundHub & panLab
Driving this complex speaker array is the formidable TiMax SoundHub. This advanced spatial processing engine is the heart of the system, offering:
- Object-Based Audio: Move beyond channel-based mixing. Treat individual sounds as objects that can be placed anywhere in the 3D space, independent of the speaker layout.
- Powerful DSP: Delivers robust processing for spatialisation, equalisation, and delay matrixing.
- Flexible Show Control & Playback: Seamlessly integrates with live performance cues and automation.
Control is made intuitive through the panLab software, which provides a visual, hands-on interface for positioning and automating audio objects within the immersive space.
Pinpoint Precision: TiMax TrackerD4
For live applications, the integration of TiMax TrackerD4 is revolutionary. Using an array of eight sensors for stage tracking, the system follows performers and moving objects in real-time. This means the audio source can be programmed to emanate directly from the performer’s location on stage, automatically and flawlessly. This technology is a massive leap forward for theatre, opera, and corporate presentations, ensuring perfect audio localisation and enhancing audience immersion.
Bridging the Gap: The Live-to-Post Workflow
Perhaps the most significant innovation of this facility is its ability to serve as a complete live-to-post production centre. A project can be conceived and programmed for a live tour using the hub’s powerful spatialisation tools. That same show can then be brought back into the studio, where the live-tracked audio can be remixed and mastered for a variety of formats.
With a pending 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos certification (LSI Online+1), the hub is perfectly equipped to repurpose live content for home entertainment, streaming services like Apple Music and Netflix, and cinematic release. This workflow saves enormous amounts of time, preserves the original creative intent, and opens up new commercial opportunities for live productions.
Who Is This For?
The TiMax & Sonosphere Immersive Hub is designed for a new generation of audio creators, including:
- Sound Designers & Live Sound Engineers: Create and rehearse complex spatial audio for theatre, concerts, and tours.
- Music Producers & Artists: Mix and master tracks in Dolby Atmos and other immersive formats.
- Event Producers: Deliver unforgettable audio experiences for corporate events, product launches, and brand activations.
- Broadcast & Post-Production Engineers: Mix content for film, television, and streaming in a certified environment.
- XR Developers: Design and implement next-generation audio for virtual and augmented reality applications.
The Future of Sound is Here
The launch of the TiMax & Sonosphere Immersive Hub is more than just the opening of a new room; it’s a statement of intent. It signals a future where the line between live and recorded audio is blurred, and where creative possibilities are limited only by imagination. By providing the tools, technology, and expertise under one roof, this collaboration has created an essential destination for anyone serious about the future of sound.
To learn more about the facility or to schedule a demonstration, visit the official TiMax and Sonosphere websites.
