Many of the DAWs that now support Dolby Atmos Workflows have an LFE feed that can be utilized directly from the Multichannel panner. While this is useful in some circumstances, it is recommended not to use it and instead create a dedicated Send from the channel to an LFE bus.

If, for example, your signal was routed to the Bed and then automated to feed an Object, the LFE signal would only exist in the Bed.

 

By employing a Send from the channel, the signal feeding the LFE will be present whether in Bed or Object routing.

 

Setting up your session this way also enables you to filter the content of the LFE channel before it hits the Bed. This can help prevent phasing issues and stop inaudible signal from being fed to an LFE speaker.

A high pass filter at 20Hz and a low pass filter at 120Hz is a good starting point for the LFE filter. This can be achieved with a plug-in of your choice, and it is best practice to use a plug-in that allows you to use a linear-phase filter.

 

Alternatively, you can employ the use of a subharmonic synthesizer on the LFE to ensure that there are no phase issues with the LFE signal.

For more information on working in Dolby Atmos check out our free self-guided online training and the Dolby Atmos music creation webinar series.