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 the downloaded file “Dolby Atmos Music 95BPM_MIXED”.
- You may notice the use of the Dolby Atmos Music Panner in this session on some tracks. Feature and functions of this panner are discussed in Exercise 6.
- Park the transport approximately 5 seconds before the desired beginning of the Master File or at the beginning of the session. Typically, this is your song start marker.
- 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). 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 re-render processing and headphone or speaker processing (whichever is not being monitored) in Renderer Preferences or Settings to help reduce CPU load when mastering.
- 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: Dolby Atmos Music Exercise 95BPM
- Choose a directory.
- Enter an FFOA (first frame of action) if desired. This is essential if the master file recording contains pre-roll for future production purposes. (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.
- 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 Dolby Atmos Music Exercise 95BPM.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 controls.
– 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: Ableton Live Exercise 1 - Setting up a Set in Ableton Live and the Dolby Atmos Renderer
Previous: Exercise 2 – Pro Tools and Renderer Monitoring Operations