Meta XR Audio SDK
Meta XR Audio SDK is a free development toolkit for adding spatial audio to immersive applications.
What Meta XR Audio SDK is
Meta XR Audio SDK is a free development toolkit for adding spatial audio to immersive applications. It includes HRTF rendering, ambisonic playback, and room acoustics, with object and ambisonic spatialization designed to help listeners locate sounds in three-dimensional space. Simulated reflections and reverberation add room acoustics to spatialized audio. Meta documents plugins for Unity, Unreal Engine, FMOD, and Wwise, with runtime platforms of Windows and Android (Meta Quest). Development targets include PCVR and Quest, Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3, and Quest 3S. The Unreal plugin uses the Unreal Audio Engine and can operate independently of the Meta XR Plugin. Unity packages are available through the Meta Horizon Developer Center and Unity Asset Store. Version 85.0 is the final release, and feature development is frozen with no further updates planned. Compatibility with future versions of supported engines and middleware is not guaranteed. Meta says bug reports will be acknowledged, but fixes are not assured. Wwise support is now through Wwise Launcher and Audiokinetic; Meta Developer Center documentation for Wwise will no longer be updated. Meta describes the SDK as intended for development teams building VR or MR experiences with spatial audio.
Good
- Free to use
- Includes HRTF and ambisonic spatialization
- Plugins documented for four engines or middleware
- Supports Windows and Android (Meta Quest)
Watch out
- Version 85.0 is the final release
- No further updates are planned
- Future engine compatibility is not guaranteed
- Bug fixes are not guaranteed
Who it suits
The SDK suits development teams building VR or MR applications that use spatial audio. It is a fit for teams using its listed engines and middleware who can work with a feature-frozen release.
Verdict
Meta XR Audio SDK provides spatial audio features and plugins for several development environments. Its final, feature-frozen release makes compatibility with future engine and middleware versions an important consideration.
Plans and prices
From Meta XR Audio SDK's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Meta XR Audio SDK | Free | Version 85.0 · Unity 6 (minimum 2022.3.15f1), Unreal Engine 5.6, FMOD 2.03, Wwise 2025.1 last known-compatible |
The facts
Each one read from Meta XR Audio SDK's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Bug support
- Meta says bug reports will be acknowledged, but fixes are not guaranteed.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Compatibility limit
- Meta says compatibility with future versions of the supported engines and middleware is not guaranteed.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Distribution
- The Unity package is available through the Meta Horizon Developer Center and the Unity Asset Store.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Feature status
- Version 85.0 is the final release and the SDK is on feature freeze, with no further updates planned.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Headset support
- Meta says its spatialization features support PCVR and development for Quest, Quest 2, Quest Pro, Quest 3 and Quest 3S.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- Meta documents plugins for Unity, Unreal, FMOD and Wwise.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- Meta describes the SDK as a tool for development teams building immersive VR or MR experiences that use spatial audio.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- The SDK provides spatial audio features for immersive applications, including HRTF rendering, ambisonic playback and room acoustics.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Room acoustics
- The SDK simulates room acoustics, including reflections and reverberation, for spatialized sounds.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Spatialization
- The SDK uses HRTF-based object and ambisonic spatialization to help listeners localize audio sources in three-dimensional space.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Standalone plugin
- The Unreal plugin integrates with the Unreal Audio Engine and operates independently of the Meta XR Plugin.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Wwise support
- Meta says the Wwise plugin is now supported through Wwise Launcher and Audiokinetic, and its Meta Developer Center documentation will no longer be updated.checked 7 Oct 2001
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