For the past few years, a new phenomenon has been slowly filtering through streaming platforms and websites; however, it has taken some time for the 8D music trend to take off. It could be that, as a result of lockdown restrictions, most of us now have enough time on our hands to fully immerse ourselves in music. If you’re an audiophile, 8D music offers a one-of-a-kind listening experience that transports you to another time, place, and world; something we can all get behind in these strange times. But, before we get into the best 8D audio songs to listen to, it’s important to know what to look out for.

What exactly is 8D music?

The term 8D music, or 8D audio, refers to a post-production effect used by some producers. The 8D audio sound is created when an automated panning effect alternating from left to right is added to a song’s final mix. To the uninitiated, panning is the ability to distribute sound across multiple audio channels.

Consider your standard headphones, which have two physical channels: left and right. You can pan the sound to the left or right, or you can select a specific sound to be played by one or both earphones. This rotating audio structure simulates the sensation of moving circles around your head with 8D audio, completely immersing you in the experience. A reverb effect is also used to make it appear as if the audio is coming from a live concert.