Topics covered in this article:
- Creating a Session using the supplied templates
- Loading .pio files
- Using the Renderer Send/Return plug-in templates
Creating a Session using the Supplied Templates
The supplied Pro Tools templates are the fastest way to get a session started and set up to create Dolby Atmos content. As discussed in Module 2, Dolby Renderer Installer Components, the Renderer comes with four templates that are installed and accessible when creating a session. These are found in the Template Group: Dolby Atmos Production Suite, accessed via the new session Dashboard (Command+N), when the Create from Template box is checked. The Dolby Audio Bridge templates can also be used when HDX is to be used as the Playback Engine in conjunction with the external Dolby Atmos Renderer, as the setup is the same, other than the output device selected.
The templates have been updated to include the LTC Generator plug-in, which is inserted on a mono track and bussed to output 129.
Loading .pio Files
When using the Dolby Audio Bridge templates, the corresponding mono or stereo I/O file (.pio) need to be imported in the I/O Setup to ensure the bussing and output mapping is set correctly.
Using the Renderer Send/Return Plug-in Templates
The Renderer Send/Return plug-in workflow is the original way that Pro Tools interfaced with the Dolby Atmos Renderer on the same workstation. This workflow has since been supplanted by the use of the Dolby Audio Bridge. However, the Send/Return plug-in workflow is still used by some as it allows for recording Re-renders. The Dolby Audio Bridge is not bi-directional, whereas the Renderer Send/Return plugin workflow allows bi-directional audio to/from the Renderer and allows for use of HDX DSP for plug-in processing. To use the Renderer Send/Return plug-ins, the driver in the Renderer Preferences must be set to Send/Return plug-ins.
The Renderer Send/Return plug-ins do not map busses to outputs in Pro Tools I/O Setup, as the plug-ins route audio directly to the Renderer without using physical Pro Tools I/O. Instead, these templates use two sets of aux input tracks to enable send/receive of audio from the Renderer.
The first set of aux input tracks is used with the Renderer Send plug-in to route audio to the Renderer.
The aux input tracks with the Renderer Send plug-in use the Bed and Object busses as input with a dummy output. The audio is sent to the Renderer via a software connection as opposed to a physical Pro Tools output; however, an output is required to be set on the aux input track in order for the plug-in to pass audio. This set of aux input tracks is hidden by default.
The second set of aux input tracks is used with the Renderer Return plug-in to route the speaker and headphone outputs from the Renderer to the Pro Tools audio interface via the I/O Setup. In addition to the monitor output, these can be used for returning Re-renders to Pro Tools for recording, or for real-time loudness measurement, for example. These aux input tracks require a dummy input to be set.
When using either the Renderer Send or Return plug-ins on multichannel tracks (5.1, 7.1, 7.0.2, 7.1.2), the Master Link button must be disabled and the Channel Selector drop-down used to individually select and assign Sends to each channel, so that SMPTE channel ordering is maintained for input and output to/from the Renderer.
See Module 11.2 and 11.3 for information on using the supplied template and preset for Nuendo and Resolve.
Navigation
Next: Module 5.6 – ProTools Ultimate - Synchronizing Pro Tools and the Dolby Atmos Renderer
Previous: Module 5.4 – ProTools Ultimate - Assigning Audio Tracks to Beds and Objects