Not all audio production systems support Dolby Atmos production. On the Mac, there are a number of leading choices like Avid’s Pro Tools; however, on the PC side, the primary software platform is Steinberg’s Nuendo. There are dozens of ways to enable the Dolby Atmos infrastructure, but it is important to be able to access and directly edit the Atmos ‘beds’ and ‘objects.’
At the core of the Atmos system is the ‘renderer,’ which is responsible for rendering all the inputs and delivering the audio stream to the monitoring and mixing. The second primary piece of an Atmos system is the panner, which places these sounds in the 3D environment.There are thousands of articles that describe Dolby Atmos core functionality, but the real thrill is purchasing and configuring all the software subsystems that add dimension to the audio channels.
I always start with the 3D reverb, as it is the essential ingredient that defines the dimensions and behavior of the soundscape. Of course, you need your giant library of synthesizers, which do not normally output data directly to the Atmos beds or objects. Recently, I upgraded my drums and percussion to Superior Drummer 3, as it allows me to create 3D drum sets… Wow! The next giant category of amazingly fun plugins are the effects: echo, auto-panners, harmonizers, equalizers, and thousands of others. Not all plugins support Atmos natively, but the few that do are worth placing in the effects arsenal. You might just need to buy the entire array of Sound Particles.
DAW
- Steinberg Nuendo: A leading choice for Dolby Atmos production, offering powerful features for accessing and editing Atmos beds and objects.
3D Reverb
- Cinematic Rooms: Essential for defining the dimensions and behavior of your soundscape.
3D Drums
- Superior Drummer 3: Allows for creating immersive 3D drum sets, enhancing the depth of your percussion tracks.
Audio Plugins
- (although not 3d) A great sound library: Native Instruments Kontakt
- (for Foley) Krotos Studio
3D Plug Effects
- Sound Particles: A comprehensive suite of plugins designed for creating immersive audio experiences in 3D space. InDelay, Brightness Panner, Energy Panner
