L-Acoustics DJ Now Lets You DJ in 360° Surround Sound

L-Acoustics, an industry standard in live sound, has just entered the DJ space with its all-new L-Acoustics DJ system.

First premiered at L-Acoustics’ Keynote in London on May 7th, 2025, the company has combined the technology behind L-ISA, its immersive free software, with the DJ industry to create a unique, never-before-seen playing experience. Using the new software, you can place different elements in surround space in real time with no prior monitoring or stem separation required. Until now, DJing has been limited to stereo, with surround sound requiring pre-mapping and preprocessing. Using the new technology developed by L-Acoustics, the DJing experience can now be transformed into 360-degree surround sound. As a DJ, it was previously impossible to place sounds in surround space in real time, but now it’s possible to play with the spatial positioning of elements while performing.

L-Acoustics DJ Technology: Real-Time Stem Separation and Spatial Control

L-Acoustics has introduced new software as well as hardware. Using the software on an iPad, you can position the stems that are being generated in real time through deep learning and artificial intelligence. When connected to an AlphaTheta or any mixer, it sends a clock signal to the iPad/control interface, where you can manipulate the spatial placement of the stems. You can also tap in the BPM of the track to the gear or software. Currently, the stems are divided into four categories: drums, bass, vocals, and other.

Creative Modes and Hardware Integration

There are plenty of options to explore. You can choose among four moods: Stereo, Wave, Vocal Focus, and Immersive. Effects such as Rotate, Random, Wide, and Riser have also been provided. You can also control the mood intensity within the app. If you prefer using hardware instead of software during DJing, L-Acoustics has introduced a new controller with pre-mapped controls for the app. There are a total of 16 pads pre-mapped to the same controls as seen in the software application. Eight encoders are also provided, though their functionality is still under development and have been added for manual control and future uses. The four faders control the mood intensity and reverb, with two of them unmapped at the time of launch.

L-Acoustics emphasizes that there is no loss in content and clarity when stem separation takes place live, so you don’t need to worry about sound degradation during the process. There is no need to preload any tracks or scan in advance. L-Acoustics also highlights that the process of stem separation in real time is faster than the time taken to load a USB stick on a CDJ. You can even use the same functionality with vinyl records. Vinyl DJs have comparatively fewer options to play with the digital functions of a CDJ, but this technology opens up doors for creativity when it comes to spatial positioning of sounds in real time. You can make the hi-hats swirl around the audience or adjust the vocals from completely wide to completely centered within seconds.

While speaking to We Rave You, Ryan John, Director of Product Management at L-Acoustics, said: “For a long time, we have been associated with DJs but on the sidelines. With DJs now touring worldwide and performing on some of the biggest stages, this product draws us closer to the DJ market. Nightclubs now have immersive sound installations, but DJs haven’t been able to utilize their full potential, as there’s typically stereo in the front and stereo in the back. Having already built L-ISA which allows for immersive mixing, the problem was identifying the sources. With a rock band or a live performer, each input is its own source, so it’s easier that way. But with DJs, it’s traditionally a stereo source.“

He continued, “Using the L-Acoustics DJ, a DJ can now just show up without having done pre-production, without having rehearsed for months, and leverage fully immersive shows, which means the fans can have a better sound experience. You can even connect the L-Acoustics DJ to your Spotify/Apple Music, perform full stem separation, and place the sounds in surround sound in real time. Some of the biggest touring DJs in the world have spent lots of time on this new technology, and it is set to play a big role in their sets in the coming months and years. Today’s version of the L-Acoustics DJ is bit-perfect, so if you sum it back to stereo, it sounds exactly the same.“

L-Acoustics DJ Release: Market Availability and Expected Pricing

The L-Acoustics DJ software and controller (developed in partnership with Yaeltex) are set to debut in Q3 2025. The pricing of the controller is not confirmed yet, but is expected to be around $600.

Also Read:

1. Superbooth 2025: Everything you need to know
2. Moog teases Messenger, new synth set to be unveiled at Superbooth 2025