Dolby Atmos is a pioneering spatial audio technology originally developed for cinemas that is now available on devices in the home and on the move. In Dolby Atmos, sounds are placed in 3D space. A helicopter can hover overhead. A race car can roar past you and then weave in front of you. The roar of the vast ocean can swallow you whole. Dolby Atmos is entertainment you can feel. For film lovers, it means being inside the story. For music fans, it means hearing music in a whole new way, crafted by artists who now have the tools to bring their inner sonic world to life like never before. For a creator, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities, whilst fitting seamlessly into existing ways of working.
As an audio professional, you might be wondering how to create Dolby Atmos content and leverage its potential for your projects. Let’s answer some common questions about Dolby Atmos.
Why is Dolby Atmos important for today's audio professionals?
The use of Dolby Atmos has become essential for content creators in today's competitive landscape for several compelling reasons. With many major streaming platforms such as Amazon Music Unlimited, Amazon Prime Video, Apple Music, Apple TV+, Audible, Disney+, Netflix, Sky Deutschland, Sky UK, and Tidal, to name a few, now accepting Dolby Atmos for new content, the ability to work in the format is an essential skill. Beyond market demands, Dolby Atmos empowers content creators with unprecedented freedom. It ensures artistic ideas can be brought to life in ways not previously possible and translates this creativity to the end listener at home or on the move.
How is Dolby Atmos different from immersive or spatial audio?
Dolby Atmos is a form of spatial audio that allows creators to place audio objects in three-dimensional space, creating an immersive listening experience. Dolby Atmos is much more than a mixing tool; it is a whole ecosystem, spanning creation, delivery, and playback, which means compatibility, consistent listening experiences, and quality. Content is mixed using Dolby Atmos tools, delivered using tried and tested workflows, and playback on devices with verified Dolby Atmos experiences. The entire chain, from studio to listener, must meet Dolby standards which is a key quality differentiator to other formats that claim to offer immersive or spatial audio.
Is Dolby Atmos free, or what are the content related costs?
The Dolby Atmos Renderer is now built into many industry standard DAWs with no additional cost to the user. The standalone Dolby Atmos Renderer software has a single, one-off, very affordable cost, and a 90-day free trial is available.
There are no fees payable to Dolby – or anyone else – for creating content in Dolby Atmos for music, podcasts, audiobooks, games, home entertainment, and most non-theatrical uses. Fees may apply only in specific cases, such as wide theatrical releases.
What do I need to be able to create content in Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a very accessible format. You can get started quickly and effectively on headphones using software you probably already own or by using the standalone Dolby Atmos Renderer software with your DAW.
To produce final mixes and deliver content, it is advised and often required to monitor content over a speaker-based system. However, hundreds of Dolby Atmos studios are available to rent around the world – including those listed on the Dolby Atmos Music studio directory. In addition, upgrading your studio is made easy with simple guidelines and tools available from the Dolby Professional Support website.
How does Dolby Atmos impact mixing and deliverables workflow?
The impact of Dolby Atmos on mixing and deliverables creation emphasises ease of use without sacrificing quality of output. That’s why Dolby Atmos was designed in partnership with content creators to utilise existing tools. Audio is captured and editorial decisions are taken as normal. Mix work then takes place in Dolby Atmos using a DAW with the in-built renderer or a DAW + the standalone Dolby Atmos Renderer software. The delivery of Dolby Atmos masters utilizes industry standard file formats. And the creation of legacy channel-based deliverables, such as 7.1, 5.1, and stereo, is simplified by using the in-built re-render engine.
Where can I find resources to help me get started?
Dolby has many resources to help you get up to speed quickly. Whether you are creating music, movies and TV, podcast and audiobook, or gaming content in Dolby Atmos. In addition, the Dolby Creator Lab has structured courses taking you from the basics to expert tips and techniques.
Have a question? The Dolby Atmos forum is where users and experts come together to share answers and tips and offer support.
Contact us to learn more Dolby Atmos.