The world of fulldome audio is one of the most technically demanding and creatively rewarding disciplines in immersive media production, and Fulldome Forum's upcoming panel session is set to pull back the curtain on what it truly takes to mix audio for the dome. "Beyond Surround: Expert Techniques from Leading Dome Content Audio Mixers" brings together some of the most experienced voices in hemispherical audio to share the kind of hard-won knowledge that rarely makes it into textbooks or tutorials.

Moderating the conversation is Ryan Moore, who will guide a discussion featuring four distinguished guests. Tom Ammermann of New Audio Technology brings deep expertise in spatial audio tools and workflows built specifically for immersive environments. Michael Perricone, C.A.S., of Smart Post West brings a professional sound-mixing background rooted in high-end production. Darnell Eveleth of the Bell Museum offers a perspective shaped by real-world dome theater operations and content delivery. Monica Bolles of Resonant Interactions rounds out the panel with a focus on the intersection of sound, space, and audience experience.

Together, these panelists will dive into the specific challenges and techniques that define dome audio production. The conversation will cover immersive audio mixing workflows designed for hemispherical environments, the technical specifications and equipment setups that support optimal dome acoustics, and the nuanced craft of placing and moving sound through three-dimensional space in a way that feels natural and enveloping. Panelists will draw on real productions to illustrate their points, offering case studies that ground the discussion in practical reality rather than abstract theory.

One of the central themes of the session is the gap that exists between traditional audio mixing experience and the very different demands of the dome. Frequency response behaves differently in a curved enclosed space. The acoustic environment introduces challenges that require custom solutions. Creative decision-making in dome audio often runs counter to conventional instincts, and this session is designed to address exactly that disconnect.