As far as new frontiers in film and video content go, there are two main avenues. There’s the world of artificial intelligence and the world of immersive video. While we’re excited about AI (and perhaps a bit terrified) for many reasons, the world of immersive video might actually be the most intriguing to those looking to get ahead of a bold new content space.
Launched with the Apple Vision Pro AR/VR headset, Apple’s immersive video format has almost quietly been one of the most impactful innovations in the company’s history. If you’ve ever been curious to learn more about Apple Immersive Video and how you, as a filmmaker, marketer, or content creator, can be prepared to work with this exciting new format, we’re here to help.
Here’s everything you need to know about creating immersive content for the Apple Vision Pro, including how to create immersive video, including recording spatial video, how to edit spatial video and more ways you can step into the world of immersive videomaking today.
What is Apple Immersive Video?
Debuted alongside the Apple Vision Pro in 2023, Apple’s mixed-reality headset is a spatial computer that presents digital media integrated with real-world environments. As part of the launch of the Vision Pro, Apple also debuted VisionOS, the company’s mixed-reality operating system, as well as the company’s immersive video format.
Still relatively new, Apple Immersive Video can be recorded by the latest iPhone models using spatial video iPhone features or by other high-end immersive cinema cameras like the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine Immersive.
Despite limitations in recording and display technology, immersive video is an emerging format that offers exciting possibilities for both creators and consumers.
How to record Spatial Video in Apple Vision Pro Immersive Video
As mentioned above, only a few devices and cameras can record Apple Immersive Video. If you’re looking for the easiest way to start recording Apple Immersive Video specifically for Apple Vision Pro headsets, here’s how you can take spatial photos and record spatial videos with supported iPhone models:
- Open the Camera on your iPhone.
- Swipe right on the screen to select Spatial mode.
- Rotate your iPhone to landscape orientation.
- Tap the Photo or Video icon to take a spatial photo or record a spatial video.
- For best results, do the following:
- Keep your iPhone steady and level.
- Frame your subjects 3 to 8 feet from the camera.
- Use even, bright lighting.
- Tap the Shutter button or Record button to take a photo or begin recording a video.
Once you take a spatial video, you can view it in 3D in the Photos app on your Apple Vision Pro. Users can also view and share spatial photos and videos just like regular photos and videos on any of their other Apple devices.
How to edit Spatial Video and Apple Immersive Video
Like the limitations of recording Apple Immersive Video, editing spatial video can only be done with specific video editing platforms and apps. Your best bet for editing spatial video in Apple Immersive Video is Apple’s Final Cut Pro or Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve.
You can find more about working with these video editing apps below.
- Edit stereo and spatial video in Final Cut Pro for Mac
- Edit Apple Immersive Video in DaVinci Resolve
Working with music with Apple Immersive Video
If you’d like to do some research into what these challenges are for music licensing for immersive video (or any other types of video content or projects), we’re also here to give you some insights into the main types of music copyrights and how they work.
To begin, we’d like for you to check out this article on the types of music rights and royalties. This will explain the differences between master, common, and music publishing rights in song ownership.
The biggest thing you should take away from this, though, is simply that all songs have natural copyrights associated with them. If these copyrights are not properly licensed and compensated, any content violating them can be muted, taken down, or result in accounts or channels being banned.
To learn more about these potential repercussions, here’s another helpful guide that covers all the details about how music copyrights work.
Using copyrighted music in Apple Immersive Video
To further explore how to use copyright music in Apple Vision Pro Immersive Video or elsewhere, let’s go over some basics. To avoid any concerns about copyright violations or takedowns, it is advisable to consult a professional.
Your best bet is to use proven music licensing resources, such as Soundstripe, to access high-quality, royalty-free music that has been pre-cleared for all your marketing purposes. This ensures it's safe to share across all your social channels and platforms.
Soundstripe offers fully licensed and cleared music for subscribers to use in their videos and content. The artists have been compensated, and as a Soundstripe subscriber, you can use any song or sound effect in our libraries in your videos without paying additional royalties or fees—hence the “royalty free” term.
Royalty free music can be an excellent option for your immersive videos simply because it’s easy to find and use. Soundstripe’s music is composed and recorded by Grammy-winning artists who know how to make great music for all types of films and video content.
The best royalty free music for immersive video
Finally, to wrap things up, here are some high-quality music tracks to consider for your immersive video projects, whether you’re at the stage of recording spatial video, testing the Apple Vision Pro immersive video format, or editing your iPhone spatial video recordings.
1. Space Child by Cast Of Characters
- Description: A low-energy, hip-hop song best described as chill and quirky. Drums and electronic drums are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 92
- Key: A Minor
- Listen and license here
2. Wild and Free by Andrew Jordan
- Description: A high-energy, electronic song best described as fun and inspiring. Drums and samples are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 160
- Key: A Minor
- Listen and license here
- Description: A high-energy, electronic song best described as angry and suspenseful. Ambient tones and bass are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 100
- Key: F Major
- Listen and license here
- Description: A low-energy, underscore song best described as hopeful and inspiring. Synth and guitar are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 90
- Key: A Major
- Listen and license here
5. Majestic Skies by Strength To Last
- Description: A medium-energy, electronic song best described as chill and happy. Ambient tones and drums are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 90
- Key: Bb/A# Major
- Listen and license here
6. A Quiet Place by Gold Coast
- Description: A low-energy, ambient song that is best described as inspiring. Ambient tones and strings are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 92
- Key: F Major
- Listen and license here
- Description: A medium-energy, electronic song best described as chill and fun. Bass and drums are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 88
- Key: F Minor
- Listen and license here
- Description: A low-energy, electronic song best described as reflective and hopeful. Synth and ambient tones are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 121
- Key: B Major
- Listen and license here
- Description: A high-energy, electronic song best described as chill and fun. Bass and synth bass are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 128
- Key: A Minor
- Listen and license here
- Description: A high-energy rock song best described as angry and reflective. Ambient tones and bass are the primary instruments in this track.
- BPM: 130
- Key: C Minor
- Listen and license here
These are just some recommended options; you can explore more tracks in our Soundstripe app.
