Topics covered in this article:
- Licensed components that add Dolby Atmos capabilities to 3rd party products
- DAW products with licensed Dolby Atmos capabilities
- NLE/IMF mastering products with Dolby Atmos capabilities
Introduction
Dolby licenses 3rd party products for Dolby Atmos content creation and mastering.
These capabilities are delivered in the form of licensed software development kits (SDKs) which are implemented in both DAWs for content creation and NLEs (Non Linear Editors)/IMF mastering tools for QC and for delivery of IMF packages.
There are some capabilities in the Dolby Atmos Renderer that are not available in the SDKs, but these differences are evolving over time. Likewise, various manufactures can selectively add capabilities enabled by these kits as they deem necessary.
It is important for users to stay informed about the capabilities of various platforms and products as additional capabilities may be added. Please consult the manufacturer’s website or documentation.
Licensed Components
There are individual components that add capabilities to 3rd party products:
- The communication library adds the ability for the DAW to communicate with the Dolby Atmos Renderer. This is used to send panning/size metadata to the Renderer from native immersive panning. This is also utilized to enable the DAW UI or plug-ins to control input configuration, binaural render modes, downmix and trim metadata. Some applications can author binaural render modes and/or downmix and trim metadata but may not be able to monitor it.
- The ability to import some or all Dolby Atmos Master file formats and export ADM BWF.wav and/or IAB.mxf. For DAWs this is usually restricted to ADM BWF.wav to both recreate a session/project and to master/remaster. For NLEs/IMF mastering applications this can include import of .atmos and IAB.mxf and export of ADM BWF.wav and IAB.mxf.
- The ability to Render directly to speakers with 7.1.4, 7.1, 5.1 or Stereo speaker layouts. This opens the door to workflows that don’t use the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
- The ability to Render directly to headphones using the Dolby Atmos Binaural Renderer. This opens the door to workflows that don’t use the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
Different products will have some, or all, of these capabilities as needed.
DAWs with Licensed Dolby Atmos Capabilities
At the time of writing, DAWs that have implemented the communication library include:
- Avid Pro Tools
- Steinberg Nuendo
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio
At the time of writing, DAWs that have implemented ADM BWF import/export capability include:
- Avid Pro Tools
- Steinberg Nuendo
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio
At the time of writing DAWs that have implemented direct Renderer to loudspeakers with 7.1.4, 7.1, 5.1, and stereo speaker layouts include:
- Steinberg Nuendo
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio
There are currently no DAWs that have implemented direct Renderer to headphones with the Dolby Atmos Binaural Renderer.
Note that DAWs without the licensed communications library can still be used in Dolby Atmos workflows by utilizing the Dolby Atmos Music Panner plug-in.
NLEs/IMF Mastering Tools with Licensed Dolby Atmos Capabilities
At the time of writing, NLEs/IMF Mastering tools that have implemented import of .atmos, ADM BWF and IAB, and export capability of IAB:
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio
- ColorFront Transkoder and QC Tool (import only)
- Rohde & Schwarz Clipster
At the time of writing, NLEs/IMF Mastering Tools that have implemented direct Renderer to loudspeakers with 7.1.4, 7.1, 5.1, and stereo speaker layouts include:
- Blackmagic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio (DAW)
- ColorFront Transkoder and QC Tool (import only)
- Rohde & Schwarz Clipster
There are currently no NLEs/IMF Mastering Tools that have implemented direct Renderer to headphones with the Dolby Atmos Binaural Renderer.
Navigation
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