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Exercise 3 – Create and Playback a Dolby Atmos Master File

  • Updated

Exercise Objectives 

This exercise is designed to reinforce concepts covered in Modules 2 through 6. The objective for this exercise is to create and play back a Dolby Atmos Master File. Refer back to the previous Modules if needed. 

 

Dolby Atmos Renderer  

Follow these steps in the Renderer: 

  • Launch the Renderer.  Set as per Exercise 1. 

Pro Tools 

Follow these steps in Pro Tools: 

  • Open your previously saved session from Exercise 2 which has the NaturesFury.wav ADM BWF imported into Pro Tools and I/O and Synchronization configured. 
  • Park the transport approximately 5 seconds before the desired beginning of the Master File or at the beginning of the session. 
  • Make note of the program start and end timecodes by selecting a region that is the full length of the example content, Shift+clicking between the first and last regions on the timeline, and/or selecting the proxy video (if available). With the full duration of content selected, the start and end timecodes will be displayed to the right of the main timecode display in Pro Tools’ Edit window. 

Dolby Atmos Renderer (or Renderer Remote) 

Follow these steps in the Renderer or Renderer Remote: 

  • Disable unused re-render and headphone processing options in Renderer Settings to help reduce CPU load if Mastering with an internal Renderer. 
  • Enable the Synchronization button (clock icon). 
  • Verify that no mute or attenuation is applied in the Renderer. 
  • Choose File > New or press Cmd+N/Ctrl+N to bring up the Create New Master File dialog: 
    • Enter the new master file name: MyNaturesFury 
    • Choose a directory. 
    • Enter an FFOA of 01:00:00:00. This is essential if the master file recording contains pre-roll. (This happens when the master is manually punched in prior to the FFOA, as opposed to using the Recording In/Out timecode function in the Renderer.) 
    • Click Create
  • Enable Record In/Out with the toggle switch. 
  • Double click to enter the previously noted program In and Out timecodes. 
    • Set the In point timecode to capture the 2-pop as this will be needed later for Re-renders: 
      • In point – 00:59:58:00 
      • Out point - 01:01:46:16 
  • Arm the Renderer for Record; it will start to blink red. 

The master file path/name, Frame rate, FFOA, Start, and End will be displayed in Renderer Status area. 

Pro Tools 

Start the Pro Tools transport with the Play button or spacebar. 

Pro Tools 

Dolby Atmos Renderer  

Transport started. 

Renderer drops into record as incoming LTC rolls past the in point. 

 

Renderer drops out of record as incoming LTC rolls past the out point. 

Transport stopped. 

Renderer finalizing file. 

Dolby Atmos Renderer (or Renderer Remote) 

  • Switch Renderer Source to Master

Enable Synchronization button (clock icon). 

Pro Tools 

Start the transport with the Play button or spacebar. 

Pro Tools 

Dolby Atmos Renderer  

Transport started. 

Renderer playback of master file starts as incoming LTC rolls past the file start. 

Transport stopped 

Renderer playback of Master File stops as incoming LTC rolls past the file end. 

Dolby Atmos Renderer (or Renderer Remote) 

  • Verify that the Renderer Source is Master. 
  • Disable the Synchronization button (clock icon). 
  • Manually enter the start time of the file in the timecode window. 

Press play on the Renderer transport to verify that the file plays back without chasing Pro Tools. 

Finder 

Navigate to the directory used and verify the existence of the .atmos, .atmos.metadata, and .atmos.audio files. 

Opening a Master File 

  • Close the master file. 
  • Reopen MyNaturesFury.atmos 
  • File > Open Recent or File > Open Master File or press Cmd+O or Ctrl+O to reload or load a different master file. 
  • Play back the open master file without synchronization by disabling the synchronization button and entering a timecode using the start time of file as displayed in the status bar and using the renderer transport Ctrls. 

– Or – 

  • Play back the open master file with synchronization by enabling LTC chase via the synchronization button in the Renderer and starting playback in Pro Tools. 

Troubleshooting 

Issue 

Renderer drops out of record. 

Possible Causes 

Mismatched frame rate, unstable or daisy-chained word clock, or drive read/write issues. Check logs for errors. 

 

Navigation 

Next:   Module 7.1 – Module Learning Objectives

Previous: Exercise 2 – ADM BWF Import to Pro Tools and Renderer Monitoring Operations