The spatial sound advantage: how indie artists can access spatial audio

Spatial audio goes beyond traditional stereo, and it’s rapidly redefining how listeners engage with music. For independent artists, this shift isn’t just about a richer sonic experience; it’s also becoming a critical factor in their financial landscape.

Apple’s recent decision to award up to 10% higher royalty payouts to artists whose music is available in immersive audio formats on Apple Music makes it clear: there’s no better time for creators to explore the expansive possibilities of spatial sound.

Let’s take a look at how any artist can access and make the most of spatial sound.

Table of contents

1. What is spatial audio?
2. Spatial audio isn’t just for major labels
3. Is spatial audio worth it?
4. 360 Reality Audio vs. Dolby Atmos
5. Spatial audio release strategy: a case study of Jakke
6. Spatial audio distribution tips
7. 3-step plan for getting started with spatial audio
8. How MusicTeam® can help you distribute spatial audio tracks 

Key takeaways

• Spatial audio is no longer limited to major labels — tools like MusicTeam® have made the distribution of spatial audio and immersive formats accessible to independent artists, giving creators and musicians the same back-end power as major labels.
• DSPs like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon prioritize spatial audio content in 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos, offering increased visibility through curated playlists.
• Creating mixes in both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos requires a carefully planned release strategy to maximize audience reach and prevent release rejections. 
• Immersive audio opens doors to more creative freedom and deepens listener engagement by letting artists position sounds in 3D space and create unique sonic experiences that stand out on streaming platforms.
• MusicTeam® simplifies spatial audio distribution, handling ISRCs, metadata, music credits and delivery across formats in a centralized, automated platform.
• Independent artists can compete by focusing on three steps:
  1. Create immersive mixes or outsource to a qualified engineer
  2. Use MusicTeam® to handle music credits and distribution of spatial audio
  3. Select music services that support spatial audio

What is spatial audio?

Spatial audio, also called immersive audio, is a 3D listening format. Platforms such as Apple Music, TIDAL, and Amazon are evolving the fan music experience through immersive sound technology. Unlike stereo, where sound is limited to left and right channels, spatial audio immerses you with sound from every direction: in front, behind, above, and below. Humans naturally hear sound from all directions—so why shouldn’t we experience music the same way?

Spatial audio isn’t just for major labels

Formats like 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos were once the exclusive domain of major labels and high-end studios. Today, this is no longer the case.

Thanks to advancements in digital audio workstations (DAWs), plugins, and distribution tools, independent artists now have access to the same immersive audio capabilities as established artists. Often, the only thing missing is a clear strategy to use these tools effectively so that they can really be an advantage to your career.

Is spatial audio worth it? 

Immersive audio significantly expands creative possibilities beyond traditional stereo limitations, offering three key advantages for independent artists.

First, once you understand what immersive audio is, it can free you from traditional stereo constraints. Artists working in spatial formats are making bolder creative decisions, experimenting with unconventional sound design, and developing new approaches to arrangement and mixing. This expanded perspective leads to innovative production choices that often enhance the stereo versions as well.

Second, spatial audio formats create a more engaging listening experience by surrounding listeners with dynamic, three-dimensional sound, helping artists stand out in today’s crowded music landscape.

Finally, major streaming platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music Unlimited actively promote spatial audio content through curated playlists, giving artists greater visibility when they submit properly prepared immersive mixes.

360 Reality Audio vs. Dolby Atmos

While both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos offer a 3D listening experience, they are powered by different technologies and supported across different platforms. 

360 Reality Audio

360 Reality Audio is an object-based immersive audio format that allows artists and engineers to position individual audio elements (i.e.; vocals, instruments, effects) within a spherical sound field around the listener. This creates a full 360-degree soundscape that feels natural and immersive, especially when listened to through headphones or 360 Reality Audio certified speaker systems. Amazon Music Unlimited is currently the leading streaming platform for experiencing music in 360 Reality Audio format. 

Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos is a leading immersive audio format developed by Dolby Laboratories, and is used across music, film, and gaming. In music productions, Dolby Atmos allows for precise placement of sounds left, right, above, and behind the listener. While it offers a 3D listening experience like 360 Reality Audio, Dolby Atmos does not take the same 360-degree listener experience approach as 360 Reality Audio. When it comes to music streaming, songs mixed in the Dolby Atmos format can be listened to on platforms such as Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and TIDAL.

Other notable spatial audio formats include:

• Auro-3D: A spatial audio format that uses a layered approach to create immersive sound
• DTS:X: An object-based audio codec that competes with Dolby Atmos
• Ambisonics: A full-sphere surround sound format often used in VR/AR applications

While there are many formats to choose from, 360RA and Dolby Atmos currently lead the way as the only spatial formats supported by major streaming platforms, which is where you (and your fans) can listen to spatial audio music firsthand. As artists increasingly adopt spatial formats in their creative workflows, we expect to see broader adoption and compatibility across streaming services.

Can artists release music in both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos?

Yes. Artists have the flexibility to release their music in both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos formats simultaneously. Doing so maximizes reach across platforms, enhances their visibility through specialized spatial audio playlists and discovery features, and listener preferences improves discoverability in spatial audio playlists, and can even future-proof their catalog for evolving and emerging listener formats. 

Spatial audio release strategy: a case study of Jakke

Jakke’s transition from alternative rock to electronic music has allowed him to explore innovative production techniques, gaining recognition on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music for his genre-blending sounds. With a strategy focused on immersive audio, Jakke has embraced both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos formats to maximize the reach and impact of his music.

For his latest single, Without Peace, set to release on June 20, 2025, Jakke collaborated with Les Camacho, a producer and mixing engineer specializing in spatial audio. Together, they created immersive mixes in both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos. This dual-format approach allows Jakke to:

1. Expand audience reach: By distributing in both formats, Jakke ensures his music is accessible across all major streaming platforms that support spatial audio, including Apple Music, TIDAL, and Amazon Music Unlimited. This increases his visibility and access to a broader listener base.
2. Deepen listener engagement: By offering immersive mixes, Jakke creates a deeper connection with his audience. The 3D soundscapes provide a unique and memorable listening experience, helping him stand out in the competitive music landscape.
3. Stay ahead of the curve: As spatial audio adoption continues to grow, Jakke positions himself as an innovator in the independent artist community. By embracing these formats early, he demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that aligns with what listeners want.

Sony Picture Studios 360 Reality Audio Room

(From left to right) Les Camacho, Jake, Trevor Coulter

Using MusicTeam® as his distribution platform, Jakke simplified the technical challenges of distributing in spatial audio. MusicTeam® handled the ISRC generation, metadata and music credit management, and distribution, ensuring that Without Peace was delivered to all supported platforms. Jakke’s use of spatial audio not only elevates his music but also sets a roadmap for other independent artists looking to thrive in the immersive audio era. You can listen to his 360 Reality Audio release on Amazon Music on mobile and his Dolby Atmos release on Apple Music. 

Spatial audio distribution tips

Working with spatial audio formats requires careful consideration of several key factors. Each immersive version needs a separate mix and delivery process, as Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio use different encoding, spatial mapping, and file structures that aren’t interchangeable. Precise metadata management, including mix names and delivery specifications, is essential to prevent release delays and royalty tracking problems if you’re planning to distribute spatial audio music. Streaming services also differ in their spatial audio support: 360 Reality Audio is mainly available on Amazon Music Unlimited, while Dolby Atmos appears on Apple Music and TIDAL. This means you’ll need a well-planned spatial release strategy. Since many distributors don’t support both formats, using a distribution platform like MusicTeam® that handles both 360 Reality Audio and Dolby Atmos makes sharing spatial music releases much simpler.

Music metadata is the playing field

In today’s music industry, proper metadata management is crucial for artists’ success. Every spatial mix requires its own unique ISRC identifier, and accurate metadata tracking is the only way to guarantee proper royalty collection across Performance Rights Organizations (PROs), Collective Management Organizations (CMOs), and Digital Service Providers (DSPs). Given the complexity of managing these elements manually and the high stakes involved in getting it right, a trusted distribution platform has become an indispensable tool for independent artists who want to compete for a place in the spatial audio landscape.

3-step plan for getting started with spatial audio

1. Produce immersive mixes

Start with your preferred spatial audio format, using your DAW and plugins to experiment with spatial panning—or collaborate with a qualified mixing engineer who specializes in immersive audio. Your choice of spatial format may depend on how well it reflects your creative vision and engages your audience, or simply which music services support that particular format.

2. Find a digital music distributor that supports spatial audio

When choosing a digital distributor, ensure they support your spatial audio format. Look for distributors like MusicTeam® that offer comprehensive catalog management tools to properly encode, register, and deliver each mix with accurate metadata.

3. Select which music services you want to distribute your spatial audio mix

Major streaming platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music HD actively promote spatial audio content through dedicated playlists and featured sections. By submitting properly prepared spatial audio versions, you increase your visibility and chances of being featured in these curated spaces. Additionally, these platforms often highlight spatial audio releases in their “New Releases” and “Editor’s Picks” sections, providing another valuable opportunity for artist discovery.

How MusicTeam® can help you distribute spatial audio tracks

Spatial audio offers new creative and commercial possibilities for independent artists. The tools you need to provide an immersive audio experience are now accessible. What separates artists who benefit from immersive formats from those who do not is no longer equipment, but infrastructure.

MusicTeam® offers a comprehensive solution for handling the complex metadata and delivery requirements of spatial audio. The platform streamlines the entire process through three key features: automated ISRC generation that creates unique identifiers for each mix type (stereo, Dolby Atmos, and 360 Reality Audio), robust multi-format distribution that ensures proper delivery to all spatial audio-enabled streaming services, and a centralized catalog management system that maintains consistent ownership data and version tracking. Through these capabilities, independent artists can access the same professional-grade infrastructure traditionally reserved for major labels and distributors.

MusicTeam® removes the friction by handling the technical and metadata challenges on our all-in-one platform, allowing independent artists to focus on what matters most—creating exceptional music and reaching more listeners. Sign up today!