Exercise 4 – Configuring Pro Tools and the Renderer for Multiple Bed Workflow – Dolby Professional Support Learning

Exercise Objectives

This exercise is designed to reinforce concepts covered in Modules 7, 8, and 9. The objective for this exercise is to set up the Pro Tools I/O and Renderer Input Configuration for a multiple Bed workflow. Refer to the previous Modules if needed.

Download the Exercise Content 4-7.zip file to the Pro Tools workstation and unzip on the media drive.

For this set of exercises three ADM BWF files are provided each with different languages, one with an alternate music track. An .mp4 file is provided for the video track. For this exercise, start with A_Sound_Proposal_German_AltMusic.wav.

If at any point the finished project files are needed for reference, the Renderer Input Configuration (.atmosIR), Pro Tools I/O setup (.pio), and Pro Tools session (.ptx) files are provided. However, it is recommended that the exercises be completed without using these files.

The most efficient options when working with ADM BWF files that use multiple Beds are:

To prepare the I/O Setup prior to importing the ADM BWF as session data by pulling the input configuration from the Renderer which is set as Default in the I/O Setup Bus tab.

This can be done by importing a supplied .atmosIR file to the Renderer. Alternatively, if no .atmosIR file is supplied, this can be done by opening the ADM BWF in the Renderer, exporting a .atmosIR file from the master, closing the ADM BWF and then importing the .atmosIR file to the Renderer with the source set to Input.

To have the I/O set by the ADM BWF import process.

For the purposes of this exercise, we are going to examine the structure of the ADM BWF from the Import Session Data Track window track pane and recreate the Renderer input configuration manually prior to undertaking the first option.

Dolby Atmos Renderer

To complete the exercise, perform the following steps in the Renderer:

Launch the Renderer

If you see alerts for “Audio Driver Error,” click OK. You will change these settings in preferences later.

If using an external Renderer, also launch the Renderer Remote application from the Pro Tools workstation and establish communication by entering the hostname or IP address in the Server Window
Verify the connection status is green.
Close any open master files.
Open the Dolby Atmos Renderer Settings/Preferences window and verify that the Renderer I/O and synchronization configuration are set correctly for the configuration in use.
Set frame rate to 23.976 fps. (If using a Windows-based MADI RMW, verify the correct frame rate is set in the Hammerfall DSP Settings Ctrl Panel TCO tab. This must be done on the RMW)
Open the Renderer Input Configuration window. Click Use Default and Accept
In the main Renderer window:
- Set the Source Input/Master toggle to Input.
- Enable the Synchronization button (clock icon).
- Verify that no mute or attenuation is applied in the Renderer.

Pro Tools

Follow these steps in Pro Tools:

Launch Pro Tools if closed.
Click Cancel from the Dashboard
Establish Connection with the Renderer in Setup > Peripherals > Atmos.
- Use localhost for an internal Renderer.
- Use hostname or IP address if an external Renderer is being used.
- Verify the connection status is solid green.
If using an external Renderer, establish synchronization in:
- Setup > Peripherals > Synchronization.
- Enable Gen LTC if using a SYNC HD.
If using an internal Renderer with MTC:
- Setup > Peripherals > Synchronization.
- Set the MIDI Time Code Generator to the appropriate device and enable Gen MTC.
If using an internal Renderer with the LTC plug-in and Dolby Audio Bridge:
- This is addressed when creating tracks in the session below.
Set or verify the correct Playback Engine is use in Setup > Playback Engine.
- Dolby Audio Bridge for running the Renderer internally.
- HDX for using an external Renderer.
Create a new session by choosing File>Create New or by pressing CMD+N, saving and closing any already open session.
- From the Dashboard
  - Name the session A_Sound_Proposal_Exercise.
  - Uncheck Create from Template if checked
  - In the I/O Settings drop-down menu select Last Used
  - Set the File Type to BWF (.WAV)
  - Set the Sample Rate to 48kHz
  - Set the Bit Depth to 24-Bit
  - Click Create
Configure Session>Setup or press Cmd+2
- Set the timecode rate to 23.976
- Set the session start to 00:59:50:00
Choose File > Import > Session Data.
Browse to the location of the supplied A_Sound_Proposal_German_AltMusic.wav ADM BWF file, select the file, and click Open.
Inspect the Tracks pane of the Import Session Data dialog box – do not import at this point.

From the track names, note that the session will require:

- 4 x 7.1.2 outputs for the four stem beds in the order of DX, FX, BG, MX
- 46 x mono outputs for Object audio

From the track names, note the distribution and order of Objects among the stems:

- 2 x DX Objects
- 17 x FX Objects
- 23 x BG Objects
- 4 x MX Objects
- 2 x AltMX Objects
Click Cancel to cancel the ADM Import.
Leave the Pro Tools session open.

Dolby Atmos Renderer (or Renderer Remote)

Manually Recreate the Input Configuration.

Choose Window > Input Configuration.
In the Renderer Input Configuration window:
- Add 3 x 7.1.2 Beds in addition to the default Bed.
- Choose the Assignment drop-down of inputs 11, 21, and 31 and select 7.1.2.
Click on Groups in the bottom left of the Input Configuration window.
- Enter the name “Background” and click Add group.
- Close the Groups dialog.
- Note that groups for Dialog, Effects, and Music already exist as default groups
Assign Renderer Inputs to Groups and add Input Descriptions:
- Assign 1–10 to the Dialog Group.
  - Click within the input description of any channel from 1 to 10 and enter DX Bed.
- Assign 11–20 to the Effects Group.
  - Click within the input description of any channel from 11 to 20 and enter FX Bed.
- Assign 21–30 to the Background Group.
  - Click within the input description of any channel from 21 to 30 and enter BG Bed.
- Assign 31–40 to the Music Group.
  - Click within the input description of any channel from 31 to 40 and enter MX Bed.
Highlight (Shift-click) and assign Renderer Inputs to Groups and add Input Descriptions:
- Assign 41–42 to the Dialog Group.
  - Click within the input description to add “DX Object 1” to input 41.
  - Hold Option+Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt (Windows) and press Enter to sequentially name the input description.
- Assign 43–57 to the Effects Group.
  - Click within the input description to add “FX Object 3” to input 43.
  - Hold Option+Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt (Windows) and press Enter to sequentially name the input description.
- Assign 58–80 to the Background Group.
  - Click within the input description to add “BG Object 18” to input 58.
  - Hold Option+Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt (Windows) and press Enter to sequentially name the input description.
- Assign 81–84 to the Music Group.
  - Click within the input description to add “MX Object 41” to input 81.
  - Hold Option+Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt (Windows) and press Enter to sequentially name the input description.
- Assign 85–86 to the Music Group.
  - Click within the input description to add “AltMX Object 45” to input 85.
  - Hold Option+Cmd (Mac) or Ctrl+Alt (Windows) and press Enter to sequentially name the input description.
Inputs after 86 can be set to null.
- Highlight (Shift-click) Inputs 86 – 128 and use the Assignment drop-down menu to select Null (--).

The result will look like this:

In this case, the Object numbers are sequential across stems. In other cases, the Object numbering will restart with each stem. This depends on personal preference.
Export the Input/Binaural/Re-render Config to the same location as the ADM BWF files:
- Choose File > Export Input/Binaural/Re-render Config or press Option+Shift+E.
- Name the config “A Sound Proposal.” The resulting file will have the extension .atmosIR.

Pro Tools

Option 1 – Use the Dolby Atmos Renderer as Default to create the I/O Setup the I/O

Choose Setup > I/O Setup > Bus tab.
Click within the Bed/Object Group column in the Bus tab to bring up the Manage Bed/Object Group Names window. Set Manage Bed/Object Group Names and Assignments to Dolby Atmos Renderer.
If all bus paths are already deleted in the Bus tab, create a new path and map it to the Renderer to create an entry in the Bed/Object Group. column to click on and bring up the Manage Bed/Object Group Names window. Set Manage Bed/Object Group Names and Assignments to Dolby Atmos Renderer.
Click OK.
Delete all existing Output paths from the Output tab
Use the drop-down menu to the right of the Default button to select Use Atmos Renderer.

Click Default.

The Output and Bus tabs of the I/O Renderer will be populated according to the Renderer Input Configuration.

The result will look like this:

Click here for larger image

Click OK.
Import the supplied A_Sound_Proposal_German_AltMusic.wav” ADM BWF file as session data. Import>Session Data or press Option+Shift+I
Navigate to the directory containing A_Sound_Proposal_German_AltMusic.wav
Set all tracks to New Track (Option-click).
In the Custom Data pane, check the following:
- Import:
  - Object Output Assignment
  - Object Pan Data

- - Add Bed/Object Group Name is grayed out as the Dolby Atmos Renderer was set to Manage Bed/Object Group Names
Click Ok.

All mono Object audio tracks in the Edit window should be set to Object (orange).
If not Shift Click to select the mono Object audio tracks and Option Click on any of the Bus/Object toggle switches to set all mono Object audio tracks to Object.

The track names, assigned Object bus names, and audio files names in the Edit window will be named identically.

The bus and outputs names in the I/O Setup Bus tab will also correspond to the Renderer input configuration descriptions.

Option 2 – Use the ADM BWF import process to create the I/O setup

Choose Setup > I/O Setup > Bus tab.
Click within the Bed/Object Group column in the Bus tab to bring up the Manage Bed/Object Group Names window. Set Manage Bed/Object Group Names and Assignments to Pro Tools.
If all bus paths are already deleted in the Bus tab, create a new path and map it to the Renderer to create an entry in the Bed/Object Group. column to click on and bring up the Manage Bed/Object Group Names window. Set Manage Bed/Object Group Names and Assignments to Pro Tools.
Click OK.
Delete all existing Output paths from the Output tab
Click OK.
Import the supplied A_Sound_Proposal_German_AltMusic.wav ADM BWF file as session data. Import>Session Data or press Option+Shift+I
Navigate to the directory containing A_Sound_Proposal_German_AltMusic.wav
Set all tracks to New Track (Option-click).
In the Custom Data pane, check the following:
- Import:
  - Object Output Assignment
  - Object Pan Data
- Add Bed/Object Group Name to
  - I/O Setup

Click Ok.
Creating the I/O Setup from the ADM BWF results in identical track and audio file names. However, the Bed and Object bus names will be generic

The bus and output names will also be generic in the I/O Setup Bus tab and will correspond to the Renderer inputs numbers.

Additional steps:

If the LTC Gen plug-in will be used for synchronization with the Renderer, another output, bus, and mono Audio track will need to be created:
- Choose Setup > I/O Setup > Output tab.
- Add new path: 1 x mono output and name it LTC Gen.

- Click and drag the output to 129 and ensure that the same channel is used for LTC input in the Renderer (set in Preferences /Settings).

- Select OK.
- Add 1 x mono Audio track in the Edit or Mix window, name the track LTC Gen and insert the LTC Generator plug-in.
  - Choose Track > New or type Shift+Cmd+N.

Saving Your Work

The session is now ready for edits and remastering.

Be sure to save this session.

Navigation

Next: Exercise 5 – Combine Select Tracks from ADM BWF Files, Assign Tracks to Groups and VCAs

Previous: Module 9.4 – Multibed Workflows, Templates, and Techniques