289. Sound Designer Nat Houle On Spatial Audio

“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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