This article details new features in the Dolby Atmos music production toolset and offers best practices for creating music in Dolby Atmos from initial concept to final mix.

Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) that support Dolby Atmos now feature low latency monitoring and recording to expand creative possibilities and maximize workflow efficiency. Additionally, a Stereo Direct monitoring and re-render layout has been introduced to streamline the creation of a stereo mix from a Dolby Atmos mix.

 

Low Latency Monitoring and Recording

Low latency monitoring and recording empowers creators to track audio at reduced buffer sizes while simultaneously making bed/object placement decisions. Previously, integrated rendering was restricted to the highest audio buffer size of the DAW to ensure efficient and uninterrupted playback.

The ability to natively leverage lower latency recording and monitoring in DAWs that support Dolby Atmos is version-dependent:

 

Company	Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)	Version	Lowest Latency (in samples)
Apple	Logic Pro	11.0.1	32 samples
Avid	Pro Tools	2023.12 to current	32 samples (native)  64 samples (HDX)
Blackmagic	Resolve	18.6	32 samples
PreSonus	Studio One	6.6	32 samples
Steinberg	Cubase Pro	13.0.20	32 samples
Steinberg	Nuendo	13.0.4	32 samples

 

When working in Dolby Atmos at the beginning of the music creation process, consider setting up templates for both a speaker-based and binaural headphone monitoring. This may include the following:

• I/O settings with output and bus setups for low frequency effects (LFEs)
• Pre-populated audio and/or instrument tracks pre-routed to objects (mono or stereo)

Latency Considerations: While low latency offers improved performance compared to previous iterations, users should be aware that latency may still be present when recording analog sources which typically require very low audio buffers (usually between 32 and 64 milliseconds).

Headphone Monitoring: It is important to note that binaural monitoring is not supported in low latency mode. When tracking overdubs using headphones, it is advised to send a stereo feed to the headphones.

Virtual Instruments: Low latency monitoring and recording can also be leveraged with instrument and MIDI tracks hosting virtual instrument plug-ins. This allows for real-time placement of virtual instruments in the Dolby Atmos space (in the bed or assigned to objects) and can be done before recording a pass.

 

 

Stereo Direct

Stereo Direct is a monitoring and re-render layout that offers new possibilities in Dolby Atmos production. This layout was introduced in Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.3 and is available in select DAWs that support internal Dolby Atmos rendering.

Streamlined Workflow: Traditionally, mixers would first complete a stereo mix and then adapt it to Dolby Atmos. This approach was time-consuming and required constant quality control to ensure proper translation between the stereo and Dolby Atmos versions. Stereo Direct simplifies this process.

Enhanced Creative Options: Prior to Stereo Direct, deriving a stereo downmix from a Dolby Atmos mix required selecting a 5.1 downmix (e.g., Lo/Ro or Direct Render with room balance) before choosing a stereo downmix mode. Stereo Direct bypasses this intermediary step and introduces an additional downmix.

Easy Comparison and Monitoring: In the Dolby Atmos Renderer, users can audition the Stereo Direct output by selecting it from the monitoring dropdown in the main user interface. Users can toggle between 2.0 Direct and 2.0 to quickly compare the stereo downmixes and facilitate informed decision-making during the production process.

Customizable Trim Controls: Stereo Direct trims can be adjusted in the Trim and Downmix Controls window for further artistic control. This allows users to tailor the stereo rendition of their Dolby Atmos mix with precision.

The Stereo Direct file must be provided as a separate deliverable alongside the audio definition model (ADM) to ensure that both the stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes are available for playback. Note that Stereo Direct is not a downmix setting and is not exported in the ADM (like Lo/Ro or Lt/Rt). It does not contain any LFE signal.

To export a Stereo Direct re-render, it must first be added to the list of available re-renders.

 

1. Select Input and Master > Re-renders
2. Once in the Re-renders page, select 2.0 Direct from the Layout section and click the Add re-render button.
3. If desired, you may alter the settings for the 2.0 Direct by clicking on Properties in the 2.0 Direct (Offline) box.  You can make changes to the following parameters:
   1. Name
   2. Layout
   3. Content Group Types
4. Once you have made the desired changes, click the Accept button in the Re-renders properties page, then click the Accept button on the main Re-renders window. This will return you to the main window
5. To export a Stereo Direct 2.0 render from an open Dolby Atmos master file, select File > Export Audio > Re-renders.

6. Select your desired re-renders, including the 2.0 Direct render

7. Name the file and save