Dolby® Pulse is an advanced mobile audio codec that combines high efficiency with high audio quality. It’s particularly well suited for online and streaming audio, such as that delivered by music-on-demand services, Internet radio, and music video applications.

Dolby Pulse Benefits

Delivers high-quality stereo optimized for mobile connections

Gives you the full-frequency spectrum at low bit rates, unlike MP3

Shortens download times

Reduces audio interruptions

Allows you to store more content in less space

Works reliably on nearly any PC and mobile device

Why Dolby Pulse?

Dolby Pulse offers stunning sound quality at data rates much lower than the rates used in MP3 or standard AAC. With mobile bandwidth at a premium, especially as providers switch to stepped data plans, you’ll appreciate getting great sound at the lowest data rates—not to mention downloads that are up to 400 percent faster than a typical MP3 track download.

Because Dolby Pulse delivers its great quality at low bit rates, it’s more resistant to playback interruptions, tolerating fluctuations in a mobile network’s available bandwidth. The network’s speed may drop, but your music won’t.

Dolby’s built-in loudness control also improves your listening experience. A device that includes a Dolby Pulse decoder can keep volume levels constant from track to track, so you won’t always be reaching for the volume control. 

For more information, see the How It Works tab.

How Dolby Pulse Works

Dolby® Pulse builds on the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) format. It spans the entire AAC family of codecs, a worldwide standard for streaming media and broadcast services.

Dolby Pulse is optimized for very low-bit-rate applications and improves the compression efficiency and audio quality for stereo. Based on the output bit rate, Dolby Pulse encoders automatically generate AAC, HE AAC, or HE AAC v2  to ensure optimal device compatibility.

Exclusive Dolby Features

Dolby Pulse combines all the benefits of HE AAC v2 efficiency with the compatibility of AAC and further improves on the audio performance by adding exclusive Dolby features. Some of these include:

Replay Gain for consistent volume from track to track

Dynamic range control to boost quiet passages and reduce loud program sections

The ability to include content information, such as album cover art

Other Technical Features of Dolby Pulse

Good stereo quality at 24 kbps, outstanding stereo quality at 48 kbps

Spectral Band Replication for enhanced frequency compression efficiency (used in HE AAC v1 and v2)

Parametric Stereo for stereo compression efficiency (used in HE AAC v2)

File-based usage

Real-time encoding

Compatibility

Content encoded in Dolby Pulse will play back on nearly every mobile phone, music player, and PC.

Dolby Pulse Specifications

Channels: Stereo
Data rate: 24–256 kbps
Streaming support: GPRS, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi®, and broadband
Dolby® metadata support: Yes

Compare Dolby Pulse Features

Dolby® Pulse offers a number of advantages over alternative streaming formats, as can be seen in the table below.

Feature	Dolby Pulse	AAC	HE AAC v1	HE AAC v2	MP3
Widespread device compatibility	•	•	•	•	•
Good stereo quality at 128 kbps	•	•	•	•	•
Spectral Band Replication (good stereo quality at ≥48 kbps)	•		•	•
Parametric Stereo (good stereo quality at ≥24 kbps)	•			•
Replay Gain (audio loudness correction)	•	Some decoders	Some decoders	Some decoders
Dynamic range control	•	Some decoders	Some decoders	Some decoders
Reliable, robust playback	•	Some decoders	Some decoders	Some decoders	•