Topics covered in this article:
- Gain/Delay
- Speaker EQ
- Signal generator
Introduction
The Dolby Atmos Renderer provides the ability to adjust speaker gain and delay (globally and individually) and use the onboard signal generator. With the Dolby Atmos Renderer running as the Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite, EQ function per speaker is added as well.
When using the Dolby Atmos Renderer with a monitor control system, these functions are likely duplicated. As with Bass Management, it may make more sense to perform gain/delay and EQ in the monitor control system rather than the Renderer to provide consistency when monitoring other sources.
While speaker placement and room tuning are outside the purview of this course, basic calibration with pink noise and an SPL meter can be performed using the onboard signal generator.
Speaker Calibration
Access Speaker Calibration from the main window menu bar, or by pressing Command+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows).
Use the controls in the Speaker Calibration window to calibrate the room on a global or speaker-by-speaker basis. Gain, Delay, and Equalization settings (Mastering Suite only) can be adjusted to achieve proper levels, timing, and tone matching the monitoring chain.
The Speaker Calibration window (as shown below) is divided into three sections: Gain/Delay, Speaker EQ (Mastering Suite only), and Signal Generator. The Gain/Delay and Speaker EQ tabs provide a visual representation of the physical speakers defined in the Speaker tab of the Room Setup window.
Gain/Delay
Gain and Delay for individual speakers can be adjusted as needed by highlighting the speaker output and typing in a new value or by clicking the up/down arrows. Any changes are applied immediately.
Global Gain/Delay settings can also be made.
Speaker EQ
Once the gain has been adjusted for the system and the signals time-aligned, the graphic equalizer control can be used to adjust the EQ of each speaker and reduce any remaining coloration effects.
To adjust the equalization for any speaker, highlight the speaker and adjust the graphic equalizer. Any changes are applied immediately.
EQ settings can be copied and pasted between channels as needed, using the appropriate buttons, and can be reset with the Flatten button.
In addition to the graphic EQ controls, there are separate Bass and Treble shelf controls. For treble frequencies, select the desired frequency (1 kHz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz, or 4 kHz) to set the point at which high-frequency shelving will begin.
Global post-EQ Gain/Delay controls are also provided.
The Signal Generator
The Signal Generator is useful for verification of output speaker routing as well as for calibration and tuning.
Signal can be sent to an individual speaker by clicking on it in the Gain, Delay, or EQ displays, or the speakers can be fed sequentially by turning on either Rotate or Rotate and Snap.
The output meters in the main Renderer window provide a visual indication of which speaker is active. Rotate and Rotate and Snap pan using an Object as Renderer input 11, which is visible in the Object View.
A variety of source signals are available.
Note that the playback level of test signals is impacted by the attenuation setting set in the main UI window. Be sure to have this set correctly prior to calibration.
Navigation
Next: Module 5.1 – Module Learning Objectives
Previous: Module 4.3 – Room Setup