We had the good fortune of connecting with Steve Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Steve, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Got it! Here’s the revised article with the correct name reference—Steve Brown, known as **Sonar** at Sonorous 5D:

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# From AAA Audio to Healing Soundscapes: How Steve Brown Reinvented Immersion with Sonorous 5D

For more than two decades, Steve Brown—known professionally as **Sonar** at Sonorous 5D—was a leading force behind some of the most iconic soundscapes in gaming and VR. From crafting the lush audio worlds of *Fable* at Lionhead Studios to mixing the *Fable Legends* soundtrack at London’s legendary AIR Studios with composer Russell Shaw, Steve’s career reads like a masterclass in immersive audio design.

He took his expertise further as audio director on PlayStation VR hits *The Inpatient* and *Bravo Team*, and eventually as a Senior Audio Director at Formosa Interactive, where he led teams delivering AAA titles across platforms. But behind this stellar career was a quietly growing tension.

> **“I was increasingly uncomfortable with violence in the games I was working on,”** Steve shares.
> **“I realized I was using immersive sound to amplify conflict—and that pulled me away from what I value most: connection, compassion, embodiment.”**

This inner conflict wasn’t just professional—it was deeply personal. Steve had long practiced yoga and meditation, exploring sound as a healing vibration rather than just a storytelling tool. The more he leaned into this world, the clearer it became that his true calling lay beyond entertainment.

> **“I didn’t leave my career out of frustration—I left it out of love,”** he says.
> **“Love for what sound can do when it’s no longer about escape, but about embodiment.”**

The result is **Sonorous 5D**, a revolutionary immersive experience where multi-channel 3D audio, reactive lightscapes, breathwork, movement, and meditation unite to help participants reconnect deeply with themselves.

> **“Sound isn’t just heard here. It’s felt. It’s medicine for the nervous system,”** explains Steve.

Sonorous 5D offers a range of services: live group sessions in purpose-built studios, virtual guided journeys into sonic and light immersion, bespoke 1:1 experiences, and corporate wellness workshops. The goal? To create space for presence, emotional release, and nervous system regulation.

> **“Immersion isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about coming home to yourself,”** Steve emphasizes.

His extensive background in AAA gaming and VR audio laid the technical foundation for Sonorous 5D’s innovative sound design. But the project is much more than technology. It’s a fusion of ancient somatic wisdom and modern sonic artistry.

> **“My work in AAA games and VR gave me the technical foundation to create deeply immersive experiences. Sonorous 5D is where that expertise meets the soul,”** he reflects.

Leaving behind a lucrative career was no small step. But for Steve, aligning his work with his values made the decision clear.

> **“When your work aligns with your values, the paycheck becomes secondary,”** he says.

Steve Brown’s journey shows how creative mastery can evolve into a powerful force for healing and connection. With Sonorous 5D, he invites us all to step into a new dimension—where technology serves the heart, and sound becomes a path back to ourselves.

> **“I started Sonorous 5D to build a new kind of space—one that blends technology and somatic healing to help people reconnect with presence, breath, and body,”** Steve concludes.

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Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Certainly! Here’s the enhanced formal mini response including the foley recording experience at Hollywood and Pinewood Studios:

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**“What sets me apart is a foundation deeply rooted in classical music training combined with a rich technical expertise in audio production. Early in my career, I faced significant challenges—most notably failing my first year at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. However, this setback became a turning point. I found my true path by embracing technology and sound engineering, exploring innovative soundscapes through musique concrète during my university studies.**

**One of the most formative experiences was recording foley at Hollywood and Pinewood Studios. Witnessing the dance-like performance of foley artists was magical—it opened my eyes to sound as a living, dynamic art form. This fusion of precision and creativity deeply influenced my approach to immersive audio.**

**A highlight of my academic journey was recording a track from scratch by Kylie Minogue—a project that not only showcased my technical skills but also reflected my admiration for Kylie, whose music has been an important part of my personal and queer identity.**

**Professionally, I evolved from these beginnings to work on major projects such as *Fable* and leading VR audio direction, always combining musicality with cutting-edge technology. Transitioning to found Sonorous 5D was driven by a desire to use sound as a tool for healing and connection rather than conflict.**

**My journey was not easy, but embracing failure and discomfort has been instrumental in my growth. The key lesson I’ve learned is that authenticity and alignment with one’s values fuel true innovation. Through Sonorous 5D, I aim to create immersive experiences that help others reconnect with themselves on a profound level, blending decades of audio expertise with a passion for wellbeing.”**

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Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Queen of Pho just down the road from the studio. I love the hotdogs at the eagle after a dance other favourites are Hynn Veitamese and I love thai curry too -s till looking for the best in HTown. Being mainly plant based I love the Ginger Pig and also a late night icecream!!!

Musts for me are the Houston Symphony, I love opera and of course classical music – my dream if I wasnt doing 5D was to be an opera singer and have a spot in an orchestra playing my clarinet around the world.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes The Trevor Project (our charity of choice this month at 5D) My wonderful parents and family both UK and USA side who have supported me and the never waivering support of my wonderful husband and angel cowboy Richard Foland-Brown

Website: https://www.sonorous5d.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonorous5d

Linkedin: not on linked in anymore

Youtube: sonorous5D

Image Credits
Credits Sonar @5D, Adobe AI image creation

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