Let’s Mimic Real-World Acoustics in Virtual Meetings

Bringing the natural flow of in-person conversations to Zoom, Teams, and beyond.

In traditional, in-person meetings, communication happens on multiple levels. While one person speaks to the group, others might exchange quiet remarks with those sitting next to them. This ability to have side conversations — without disrupting the main discussion — adds a layer of natural interactivity that virtual meetings lack.

In contrast, platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet distribute audio equally to all participants. No matter where you “sit” in the virtual room, if someone speaks, everyone hears them at the same volume. There is no way to lean over and whisper to a colleague or quickly discuss a subtopic without breaking into the main conversation.

A New Model: The Dynamic Spatial Meeting Room

I propose a new way of structuring communication in virtual meetings: a dynamic spatial room, where participants can visually arrange themselves based on whom they want to engage with.

How It Works:

Virtual Room Layout

Participants are represented as icons in a virtual meeting space that mimics real-world seating arrangements.

Proximity-Based Audio

• Those who sit close together can hear each other at normal volume.
• Conversations between small groups can happen naturally without everyone else hearing.
• If a participant moves farther away, their voice fades out for others who are not nearby.

Broadcasting Mode vs. Private Conversations

• Broadcast Mode: The main speaker is heard by everyone at full volume, ensuring structured discussion.
• Private Conversations: Two or more participants can drag their icons close together and speak without interrupting the main discussion.

Flexible Movement

• If someone wants to join another discussion, they can drag their avatar toward another group.
• Moving back to the center restores their ability to hear the main speaker.

Why This Matters

• Restores the Natural Flow of Discussion
  This setup replicates real-world interactions, where discussions happen in layers instead of a single, all-encompassing broadcast.
• Improves Collaboration Without Disruptions
  Small side discussions help teams clarify details in real-time without interrupting the main presentation.
• Encourages Engagement and Spontaneity
  People can interact more dynamically, avoiding the stiffness of forced breakout rooms or separate chats.

Implementation Possibilities

• This could be integrated into existing virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.
• It could also work as a plugin or separate software that overlays a spatial audio layer on top of traditional video calls.

Final Thought

As virtual work becomes more prevalent, we must rethink how we replicate real-world communication in digital spaces. A spatial audio approach to virtual meetings would allow for more organic, natural interactions, ultimately leading to better collaboration and engagement.

What do you think? Would you like to see this feature in your virtual meetings?