Open Binaural Renderer [Plugin]

Installation

macOS

1. Run the installer package (.pkg)
2. Follow the on-screen instructions
3. Plugins are installed to:
   • VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
   • AU: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/
   • AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/

Windows

1. Extract the .zip archive
2. Copy Open Binaural Renderer.vst3 to your VST3 folder:
   • User: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Common Files\VST3\
   • System: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\

Some DAWs need restarting or re-scanning to detect the new plugin.

Quick Start

1. Create a track with your audio source (channel-based or Ambisonics)
2. Insert the plugin on the track
3. The plugin auto-detects your track format and configures itself to match it
4. Route the audio to your headphones

If the track format is ambiguous (e.g. 8 channels could be 7.1 or 5.1.2), you'll be presented with suggested configurations. Manual routing is also possible.

Channel Routing

Channel ordering differs between DAWs. The plugin handles this automatically by applying a DAW-specific routing preset. The active routing preset is shown in the interface (e.g. "PT 7.1.4 → IAMF 7.1.4").

Click [Config] to view or edit the channel mapping manually.

Binaural Filter Profiles

Each audio element uses a binaural filter profile that controls the spatial rendering character:

• Direct — anechoic HRIRs for precise localization and minimal coloration
• Ambient (default) — moderate room reflections for a natural sense of space
• Reverberant — stronger room response for enhanced spaciousness and externalization

Output Limiter

A built-in peak limiter prevents clipping. Toggle it on/off in the plugin interface.

Head Tracking

OBR receives head tracking data via OSC. The default port is 21313. If that port is in use (e.g. by another plugin instance), the next available port is used automatically (range 21313–21440). The actual port is shown in the plugin interface.

OSC Message Format

/quaternion, qW, qX, qY, qZ

Coordinate System

• X: Right
• Y: Front
• Z: Up

Any OSC-capable head tracker sending quaternion rotation data works with OBR. Configure your tracker to send to localhost on the port shown in the plugin interface (default: 21313). Head tracking updates are rate-limited to 90 Hz — trackers sending faster will have intermediate messages dropped.

Troubleshooting

Plugin not detected by DAW

• Restart your DAW after installation
• Check that the plugin is in the correct directory
• macOS: You may need to approve the plugin in System Settings > Privacy & Security
• Windows: Ensure your DAW is scanning the correct VST3 folder

No audio output

• Check your routing — ensure the input signal is reaching the plugin and the plugin output is correctly routed to your headphones
• Verify the audio element type matches your source format and the input routing is configued in the Config view

Head tracking not working

• Check the port shown in the plugin interface — it may differ from 21313
• Verify the OSC message format: /quaternion, qW, qX, qY, qZ
• If the interface shows "OSC: not connected", another application may be occupying all ports

Debug Logging

Enable file-based logging for diagnostics:

1. Create an empty file called OBR_DEBUG:
   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/OBR-plugin/OBR_DEBUG
   • Windows: %APPDATA%\OBR-plugin\OBR_DEBUG
2. Restart the plugin (or reload the DAW)
3. Logs are written to OBR_log.txt in the same directory

To keep logs across sessions, also create an OBR_DEBUG_APPEND file. To disable, delete OBR_DEBUG and restart.

mkdir -p ~/Library/Application\ Support/OBR-plugin
touch ~/Library/Application\ Support/OBR-plugin/OBR_DEBUG