🎛️ Dolby Atmos Music Tips

Written by Jonathan Garcia

Miraval Studios

Respect the Song: 

8 out of 10 times we begin Atmos after the final stereo master has been delivered, approved and everyone loves it. Don’t lose the art that was created because it’s not yours and you want to “do your own thing”. It’s perfect. Help bring the art to life in this format. 

Prep Like An Architect, Not a Painter:

Make sure your stems are labeled correctly. All processing was printed or disengaged as it should be. Everything is in sync and lines up well. The worst thing is finishing an Atmos mix, then noticing something is wrong or missing. Even worse is if you realized after the client told you. Don’t slip up!

Think In Layers:

Depth, height and width. For the entirety of mixing and mastering these are terms we use to describe elements in our songs and process. With this format, think of your balance not only left and right but front and back, ground and height, and near and far. 

Mind the LFE: 

Low Frequency Effect “LFE” channel. Don’t rely on this as the only low end in your mix. You should be able to mute the LFE and still have a strong low end!

Understand Binaural:

The Dolby Binaural settings Off / Near / Mid / Far, shape how the objects are rendered on headphones. A vocal set to “Far” can sound ghostly while “Near” can make it sound alive.

Check Apple Translation:

Apples Spatial Audio ≠ Dolby Binaural. Always QC mixes on AirPods, Iphones, Macs. Apple applies their own HRTF model so what works on the Renderer might sound different in an apple ecosystem. 

Calibrate Your Room: 

Atmos rooms live and die by calibration. Incorrect tuning leads to mixes that collapse outside of your space. SPL & Time Align at the minimum.

Don’t Lose the Groove:

With extended headroom and space that Dolby Atmos offers. It can be easy to change the focus of the song or lose the primary groove that we hear in the stereo. Even if you are placing stems in Atmos make sure the balance is correct.

References:

Translation is King. Compare constantly. Atmos Master vs. Stereo Master. Atmos Hits vs. Your Mix. Listen to Atmos mixes on Tidal, Apple, ADMs. 

Deliverables: 

• ADM.wav = The Dolby Atmos Master file. The file is uploaded to distributor / Label for upload to digital streaming platforms. 

• .mp4 = A compressed Atmos mix with binaural metadata embedded. For listening only. Can be played back on any device.

• .bin = A stereo print of the binaural mixdown. Lets you hear how the Atmos mix will sound on any headphones not needing special playback software. 

The Experience: 

Atmos goes beyond headphones and beyond the studio. Ask yourself, can this live in a Dolby Atmos Theater? What about inside a car? Or inside a venue like the Sphere?