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ProTools Exercise 5 – Using VCAs to Mix to a Target Loudness Level and Re-renders

  • Updated

Exercise Objectives 

This exercise is designed to reinforce concepts covered in Modules 7, 8, and 9. The first objective for this exercise is to use VCAs to mix to a target loudness level, so as to meet delivery specifications. The supplied content “Dolby Atmos Music Exercise 95BPM” was originally mixed to a loudness level of –19LKFS using integrated loudness. For this exercise, the song needs to be delivered to a streaming service that specifies a target loudness level of –18LKFS. 

This exercise will begin by performing a loudness analysis using the Renderer’s real-time loudness meters with playback from Pro Tools to determine what changes need to be made prior to creating a master file. 

 

Pro Tools 

Open the saved session named “Dolby Atmos Music Exercise 95BPM.” 

Leave the VCA masters at 0. 

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Play the session from start to finish. 

At the end of content playback, the Renderer’s real-time loudness meters will show results. 

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Adjust the master VCA to reach an integrated loudness target of -18LKFS. 

Reset the real-time loudness meters in the Renderer by selecting the refresh button, and play the session from start to finish. 

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Keeping the True peak below -1 dbTP avoids the playback limiter and is below the threshold of the encoding limiter. 

 

Summary 

Mastering the content and running an offline analysis of the new master will likewise reveal acceptable levels. 

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A Loudness Summary log can be exported to be included with the deliverable from the Loudness Analysis window in the Renderer. 

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MP4 Export 

To export an MP4 file: 

  • Load the master file “Dolby Atmos Music Exercise 95BPM.atmos” 
  • From the menu bar, navigate to File > Export MP4 or type Command+Shift+M (Mac) or CTRL+Shift+M (Windows). 

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  • Choose an output directory. 
  • Enter a file name. 
  • Encoding Mode - Select Music 
  • Select Entire Master or Set Manually to use an In and Out point. This is helpful for removing any unnecessary pre and post-roll. 

 

Dolby Atmos Renderer  

The second part of this exercise will illustrate creating groups in the Dolby Atmos Render input configuration window and can be useful when generating re-rendered stems for future mastering workflows. Below are groups useful for this exercise. Instrument grouping for other music projects will vary. The default groups (Dialog, Music etc. commonly used in post-production workflows cannot be deleted or changed, but groups specific to music workflows can be added. This example will create stereo re-renders, however, re-renders of any channel width can be performed if desired. 

  • In the Dolby Atmos Renderer navigate to Window > Input Configuration 
    • In the bottom left corner select Groups 
    • Type in the name of the new group and click on Add Group.  Repeat for the following groups 
      • Drums 
      • Bass  
      • Percussion 
      • Bells 
      • FX 
    • Assign the appropriate Objects to the appropriate Group from the Group drop down menu.  Multiple Object inputs can be selected and assigned using Shift Click. 
      • Drums – Objects 11 – 16 
      • Bass – Objects 17/18 and 20/21 
      • Percussion – Object 19 
      • Bells – Objects 23/24 
      • FX – Objects 25 – 28 

 Exporting re-renders 

    • Define the re-renders 
      • Navigate to Preferences > Re-renders 
      • Ensure Re-render processing is active 
      • Navigate to Window > Re-renders or type Command + R 
      • Delete any default Re-renders by checking the X on each box 
      • Under Layout, select 2.0 from the drop-down menu and click Add 
      • Select Properties > Custom > Drums 
      • With Properties open type Drums in the Name file 
      • Click Accept 
      • Repeat these steps to create Re-renders for the Bass, Percussion, Bells, and FX tracks. 
    • Export the Re-Renders 
      • Navigate to File>Export Audio>Re-renders or type Command + E 
      • Enter a base file name (usually the song title) 
      • Choose the output directory 
      • Deselect any defined re-renders that aren’t needed 
      • For Stereo re-renders leave the File type as Multichannel Interleaved 
      • If the Master file has pre or post roll this can be trimmed from the re-render by check Set Manually in the Export in/out section. 

  

Saving Your Work 

Be sure to save this session. 

 

Navigation 

Next:  ProTools Exercise 6 - Using the Dolby Atmos Music Panner  

Previous: ProTools Exercise 4 – Mixing in Dolby Atmos, Assign Tracks to Groups and VCAs