🎧 Cinematic Sound in a Vertical World 🎧
- SoundCrafters Team
- Jun 16, 2025
- 2 min read
Why Vertical Filmmaking Deserves Cinematic Sound and How Headphones Are Leading the Revolution
We’re living through a quiet revolution in how people hear stories…and it’s happening in their ears.
Vertical filmmaking has exploded, from micro-documentaries and branded shorts, to narrative series made entirely for TikTok and Instagram. What started as “just for phones” is now commanding serious creative energy and even festival recognition. But while the visual language has evolved rapidly, post sound for vertical content is still playing catch-up.
It’s time that changed.
The Audio Tech Has Changed Everything
Most viewers now experience your film on high-end headphones or earbuds. Not cheap knock-offs. We’re talking Apple AirPods Pro, Beats, Sonys, Spatial Audio-ready devices.
And with them comes:
Dolby Atmos support in earbuds and phones
Spatial Audio rendering that tracks head movement
Insane clarity in stereo image, reverb tails, and dialogue layering
What used to require a theatrical sound system can now happen in your pocket.
Case in Point:
Spider-Verse Jordans x Times Square
When our team edited and mixed the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Jordan promo for Times Square, we leaned into this reality hard. It played publicly in Times Square, but this ad was designed so that when viewers watched it using their AirPods, they unlocked a full Dolby Atmos mix in real-time. Now, whether or not the ad agency followed through or not... well, we don't know. We were too busy busting our asses on two stages trying to get the feature done for your listening pleasure.
Yes, Atmos. Specifically made to be heard on headphones. We went hard.
Spatial effects weren’t just gimmicks, they pulled you into the multiverse with dynamic panning, elevation shifts, and immersive music beds that made the promo feel like a cinematic event.
That’s the bar now. And it’s accessible to anyone who’s serious about sound.
View the ad here:
Why Vertical Sound Needs to Catch Up
Vertical means close-range intimacy
You’re often in a character’s personal space. Foley and breath become emotional tools.
Headphones amplify everything
Bad VO? Flat ambiences? They sound 10x worse in a tight soundstage. But a good mix? It’s magic.
Scroll culture doesn’t forgive bad audio
Viewers might not know why your video feels cheap—but they’ll know when it doesn’t feel premium.
What We Do at SoundCrafters
We’re not guessing what works, we’re building it with the best tech available. Whether your vertical project is a commercial, branded docu-series, or narrative short, we offer:
🎧 Headphone-first mixing with spatial audio awareness
🎤 ADR and VO for vertical delivery: clean, focused, and intimate
🌍 Immersive sound design that plays in Atmos, stereo, and on-device
📱 Deliverables for mobile-first platforms without sacrificing quality
✨ TL;DR
If your audience is using AirPods, you need a mix that deserves them.
Vertical content isn’t lesser, it’s just different. Let’s treat it with the same care we give to features and trailers.
Let’s make your vertical stories sonically iconic.
→ Reach out to SoundCrafters.