Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/908245
C A S Q U A R T E R L Y F A L L 2 0 1 7 51 What am I getting to with all of this? Basically, I'm just pointing to the fact that we're seeing growing penetration of this format outside of theatrical soundtracks. As a result, for those who are delivering non-theatrical mixes, clients may be asking for an Dolby Atmos mix in the near future. This transition may now be a little smoother with Dolby Atmos-integrated features in Pro Tools 12.8 and the Dolby Atmos Production Suite and Mastering Suite. FIRST, LET'S REVIEW some terminology. Dolby Atmos, as you are probably aware, incorporates a traditional 7.1 discrete channel layout (Left/Right, Center, LFE, Left/Right Surround, Left/Right Rear Surround) and adds two discrete height channels—referring to this combination as a "bed"—so it is a 9.1 bed. It then utilizes "objects" which are, essentially, individual or groups of sound elements that share the same location in a room. Metadata information associated with each object details the position of those sounds at any specific time. These objects can provide greater sound localization within a mix and can utilize additional speakers. Dolby Atmos allows for 118 objects, which are scalable based on playback theater size, speaker number (up to 64), and speaker orientation. These objects are, in short, remixed in real- time by the Dolby Atmos Cinema Processor to best represent the intent of the mix based on the specifics of the theater. On the home theater front, speaker layouts can come in a couple configurations. The 9.1 mentioned earlier is now referred to as a 7.1.2 (7 horizontal, 1 LFE, 2 height). I've come across 7.1.4 most often when hearing about mixing in Atmos for home/broadcast/ streaming. Additionally, you'll find 5.1.2 up to 9.1.6— and variations. To compensate for the fact that most consumers are unwilling to mount speakers to their ceiling, there are forward-firing speakers that also have an upward-firing driver with separate input. The idea being that using them in collaboration with the reflective and dispersive properties of a typical flat home ceiling (e.g., drywall) will give the height channels realism. These speakers are being marketed as "Dolby Atmos"-enabled. Separate upward-firing speakers are also available. I CHECKED IN WITH DAVID GOULD, Director, Audio Content Solutions at Dolby, to get some insight into the Dolby side of the Dolby Atmos integration with Pro Tools HD that we content creators should be aware of. Since the release of 12.8, have you seen more interest for Dolby Atmos incorporation in smaller, more TV-focused rooms? Yes, absolutely, and in addition, the Netflix announcement, for example, was one of those things that really increased the interest in these smaller rooms being capable of mixing in Dolby Atmos. We had interest before that for various reasons, but [the Netflix announcement] was