# Audio spatializers in XR

> Learn about audio spatializer solutions for XR projects.

Audio spatializers use physical characteristics of a scene, such as the distance and angle between an [AudioListener](/engine/6000.0/manual/audio/reference/class-audio-listener.md) and an [AudioSource](/engine/6000.0/manual/audio/reference/class-audio-source.md), to modify the properties of sound transmitted to the user. Spatialization can improve the perception that a sound originates from a specific location in a scene.

The Unity audio system supports spatialization through plug-ins built with the Unity [Audio Spatializer SDK](/engine/6000.0/manual/audio/mixer-native-audio-plugin/spatializer-sdk.md). Unity doesn't provide any built-in spatializer plug-ins itself, but several plug-in implementations are available in third-party 3D audio SDKs. These audio SDKs typically provide additional Unity components and tools for 3D audio. Refer to the following sections to understand the available third-party audio SDKs and how to enable them in Unity.

## Audio spatializer reference

The following is a non-comprehensive list of third-party audio SDKs that provide Unity audio spatialization plug-ins:

| Maker                    | Name                                                                                                  | Platforms                      | Documentation                                                                                                                                             |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Microsoft                | [Microsoft Spatializer](https://github.com/microsoft/spatialaudio-unity)                              | Windows, Android               | [Spatial sound in Unity](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/mixed-reality/develop/unity/spatial-sound-in-unity) (Microsoft learn)                  |
| Meta                     | [Meta XR Audio SDK](https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/integration/meta-xr-audio-sdk-264557) | Windows, Android               | [Meta XR Audio SDK Unity Plugin](https://developers.meta.com/horizon/documentation/unity/meta-xr-audio-sdk-unity-intro) (Meta developer documentation)    |
| Qualcomm                 | [Qualcomm 3D Audio Plugin for Unity](https://www.qualcomm.com/support/contact/forms/3d-audio-plugin)  | Windows, Android               | [3D Audio Plugin for Unity](https://docs.qualcomm.com/nav/home?product=1601111740013501#installation-of-the-3d-audio-plugin) (Qualcomm documentation)     |
| Steam                    | [Steam Audio](https://valvesoftware.github.io/steam-audio/downloads.html)                             | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android | [Steam Audio Unity Integration](https://valvesoftware.github.io/steam-audio/doc/unity/index.html) (Valve GitHub)                                          |
| Vive                     | [3DSP Audio SDK](https://developer.vive.com/resources/vive-sense/3dsp-audio-sdk/download/latest/)     | Windows, Android               | [VIVE 3DSP Audio SDK Developer Guide](https://hub.vive.com/storage/3dsp/) (Vive)                                                                          |
| Google (now open source) | [Resonance Audio](https://resonance-audio.github.io/resonance-audio/)                                 | Android, iOS, Web              | [Developer Guide for Resonance Audio for Unity](https://resonance-audio.github.io/resonance-audio/develop/unity/developer-guide) (Resonance audio GitHub) |
| Apple                    | [PHASE](https://github.com/apple/unityplugins/tree/main/plug-ins/Apple.PHASE/)                        | iOS, macOS                     | [PHASE](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/phase) (Apple developer documentation)                                                                  |

Some [XR provider plug-in](/engine/6000.0/manual/xr/support/support-packages.md) include spatializer plug-ins for an associated XR device. For example, the Windows Mixed Reality feature group for OpenXR includes the [MS HRTF Spatializer](https://github.com/microsoft/spatialaudio-unity) plug-in. Note that these provider plug-ins don't include any additional components that might be available in the full SDK packages from their maker.

> **Note:**
>
> Although many spatializer plug-ins were developed for use with VR devices, their use isn't limited to VR games or applications.

## Enable an audio spatializer plug-in

After you have added the package containing an audio spatializer plug-in to your project, you can enable the plug-in in the project audio settings.

To enable a plug-in:

1. Open the Project Settings window (menu: **Edit > Project Settings**).
2. Select the **Audio** category.
3. Choose the plug-in from the **Spatializer Plugin** dropdown menu.

## Additional resources

* [Audio overview](https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/AudioOverview.html)