Definition of Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album
The Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album (until 2018: Best Surround Sound Album) was first awarded in 2005, as the first category in a new "Surround Sound" field. It is currently part of the Production, Engineering, Composition & Arrangement field.
It is one of a few categories which are open to both classical and non-classical recordings, new or re-issued. To qualify for this category, the recording must be in surround quality (with a minimum of four channels). The recordings must be commercially available on either DVD-Audio, DVD-Video, Blu-ray, SACD, surround download or a streaming-only version. The award goes to the engineer, mastering engineer (if any) and producer. These used to be called Surround Engineer, Surround Mastering Engineer and Surround Sound Producer, respectively, but as of 2023 the descriptions are Immersive Mix Engineer, Immersive Mastering Engineer and Immersive Producer, respectively. Performing artists do not receive the award, except if they are also credited with one or more of the three roles mentioned above.
The category was renamed Best Immersive Audio Album for the 2019 Grammy season. According to NARAS, "driven by the technological side of music evolution, the Best Surround Sound Album category [was] renamed Best Immersive Audio Album. The same goes for the Field to which it belongs. The change reflects evolving technology, new formats, and current industry trends, practices, and language."
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
The Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical has been awarded since 1959…
Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical
The Grammy Award for Best Engineered Recording, Classical has been awarded since 1959. …
Height channels
Height channels are audio channels in surround sound multichannel audio. Height channels…
Institute of Audio Research
The Institute of Audio Research (IAR) was an educational institution in New York City…
Quadraphonic sound
Quadraphonic sound uses four audio channels in which speakers are positioned at the four…
Center channel
Center channel refers to an audio channel common to many surround sound formats. It is…
Field recording
Field recording is the production of audio recordings outside recording studios, and the…
7.1 surround sound
7.1 surround sound is the common name for an eight-channel surround audio system…
MP3 Surround
MP3 Surround is an extension of MP3 for multi-channel audio support including 5.1…
Frequently asked questions
What is Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album?
The Grammy Award for Best Immersive Audio Album (until 2018: Best Surround Sound Album) was first awarded in 2005, as the first category in a new "Surround Sound" field. It is currently part of the Production, Engineering, Composition & Arrangement field.