Dolby Atmos for Content Creators

New Possibilities and New Efficiencies for Audio Postproduction

Dolby Atmos adds the flexibility of dynamic audio objects to the traditional channel-based workflows used to create movie soundtracks. These audio objects allow content creators to control discrete sound elements in the theatre, no matter the speaker configuration. Objects can be static or can move, and they are controlled by metadata.

A Simplified Approach to Cinema Sound

Dolby Atmos also brings new efficiencies to the audio postproduction process. It allows sound mixers to efficiently capture the director’s vision and then monitor or automatically generate 5.1- and 7.1-channel versions in real time.

Distribution is simplified, too. With Dolby Atmos, all the artistic intent is embedded in a file within the Digital Cinema Package (DCP), which can then be faithfully played back in a broad range of theatre configurations.

Dolby Rendering and Mastering Unit

The Dolby Rendering and Mastering Unit (RMU) is the brain of the Dolby Atmos platform. It provides the rendering engine for the mix stage, as well as tools for room configuration, management, and print mastering. With multichannel audio digital interface (MADI)–based audio connectivity, the RMU connects to the Dolby Atmos mix client through Ethernet for metadata communication and monitoring.

Dolby Atmos Panner Plug-in for Avid Pro Tools The Dolby Atmos Panner plug-in is an AAX Native plug-in for Pro Tools® 10 systems or later. As with any plug-in, it can be controlled directly from any control surface compatible with Pro Tools. Capabilities include: Three-dimensional panning control for audio objects within the Dolby Atmos mix User control for object size Preset elevation modes for easy overhead panning

Dolby Atmos Monitor Application The Dolby Atmos Monitor application enables communication with the RMU. It provides: Metering and monitoring control Visual feedback and mix information for the mixer Print-mastering controls Transport control for playback of existing print masters on the RMU

Dolby Secure Content Creator SCC2000

The Dolby Secure Content Creator SCC2000 now supports the creation of SMPTE packaged DCPs containing a Dolby Atmos soundtrack.

Technology Highlights

Expands the creative palette with overhead speakers

Adds side surrounds closer to the screen for improved transitions

Works across a wide array of speaker configurations and auditorium shapes and sizes

Simplifies distribution with a single DCP inventory

Dolby Atmos Documents for Content Creators

White Papers

Dolby Atmos Cinema Technical Guidelines
This white paper describes how to equip auditoriums for Dolby Atmos playback.

Dolby Atmos Next-Generation Audio for Cinema
Current cinema authoring, distribution, and playback suffer from limitations that constrain the creation of truly immersing and lifelike audio. Dolby Atmos, the next-generation cinema sound platform, addresses these limitations and delivers an audio experience beyond anything available to date.

User Manuals

Authoring for Dolby Atmos Cinema Sound Manual
Learn how to use Dolby Atmos authoring tools to author sound and create a print master for this new cinema sound format.

See a list of all movies mixed in Dolby Atmos.

Third-Party Mixing Tools

AMS Neve DFC

AMS Neve has updated the Digital Film Console (DFC) to natively support mixing in Dolby Atmos. It includes:

Built-in 9.1 panning for bed material

Direct object control, routing, and communication with the Dolby RMU

The AMS Neve DFC works in either Master mode or Controller mode. In Master mode, it stores the automation for object metadata in the Encore2 automation engine. In Controller mode, it sends metadata to the RMU but stores the metadata in Pro Tools by using the Dolby Atmos Panner plug-in.

System requirements:

AMS Neve DFC with Ultra Scale Processing (USP), running Encore2 v8 software or later

For more information and support, please visit the AMS Neve website.

Avid Pro Tools and System 5

Integration with Pro Tools is achieved through the Dolby Atmos Panner plug-in. The plug-in sends metadata to the RMU and allows control of audio objects in a mix. The metadata is stored in the Pro Tools session as plug-in automation, and it can be viewed, edited, and reconformed, as with any other Pro Tools automation.

One panner plug-in per audio object controls that object’s metadata. The output of that audio track is routed to the appropriate input on the RMU. Overhead panning in Pro Tools can be achieved by using a stereo overhead bus, in addition to a standard 7.1 panner for audio material that is being sent to the bed.

For more information, please see the Authoring for Dolby Atmos Cinema Sound Manual.

Avid’s System 5 Pro series console can control the Dolby Atmos Panner plug-in for Pro Tools via either EUCON™ page tables or Dolby’s System 5 Panner EUCON application. The EUCON application allows direct object control from any EUCON-enabled console, including object panning from the System 5 joystick panners.

Harrison Consoles with IKIS Automation Engine

Any Harrison MPC or Trion console running the IKIS automation engine can be updated to allow direct communication to the Dolby RMU and object control from each console channel.

For more information and support, please visit the Harrison Consoles website.

Dolby Atmos Testimonials

"Dolby Atmos provides the completely immersive sound experience that filmmakers like myself have long dreamed about."
—Peter Jackson
Cowriter, Director, and Producer, The Hobbit trilogy

"We needed a workflow that matched what we use already. It was the only way Dolby Atmos could work for The Hobbit in the time frame we had. Dolby had really great ideas for integration and developed the tools we needed for a bulletproof process."
—Gilbert Lake
Park Road Post Production
Dolby Atmos Rerecording Mixer, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

"For Oblivion, I chose Dolby Atmos for both its immersive quality and clarity of sound. Sound effects can be placed very accurately in almost any direction pulling you deeper into the story."
—Joseph Kosinski
Director, Oblivion

"Dolby Atmos offers a whole new range of creative possibilities for our team of artists creating the mix for Iron Man 3."
—David F. Alfonso
Owner, Todd-AO

"It’s very intuitive, very easy to use, very user friendly from a UI perspective, and it does what it does very well."
—Erin Michael Rettig
Twentieth Century Fox
Mix Tech, Life of Pi