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User168142983939529811 (Customer) asked a question.

April 14, 2023 at 12:01 AM
How to match ATMOS file lengths to the Stereo Mix File Length?
MAC: OSX 12.4, MAC Studio ULTRA M1
ATMOS Renderer: Logic Pro 10.7.5


Hi. I am finishing an album in ATMOS and have the newly mastered Stereo Mixes on hand. As I understand it, when I create the ATMOS final mix, the file length of the ADM BWF file has to match the stereo mix file length almost exactly (I'll be releasing on all platforms including Apple Music).

1. How exactly do I match the file lengths of each ATMOS file to each Stereo file?

2. Some of my Stereo Mixes have fade-outs. How to I create a fade out in the ATMOS file while also matching it to the stereo mix file?

3. Do I have to buy the Dolby Renderer and Album Assembler in order to do the above?
  • 12 answers

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Hi,

    You could use the existing stereo durations to set the in/out for bouncing/exporting ADM BWF in your session/project to sample accuracy.

    If you've already mastered the Atmos ADM BWF files you could use the Atmos Album Assembler to trim the Atmos ADM BWFs and apply linear fades if those aren't already matched in your session/project. You could do this without the Renderer and import the results back into your DAW to audition/QC but that is somewhat cumbersome.

    I suggest taking advantage of the 90 day trial licenses for both products to determine the best way forward.     https://customer.dolby.com/content-creation-and-delivery

    Hope this helps.

    Best,

    Adam
    Expand Post

  • User168142983939529811 (Customer)

    In Logic Pro, I don’t see where I can set the in out point when I export an ADM file. It just starts from bar 1, and continues until the session end point, not the right locator end point. Hope that makes sense.

    How do I Set a start and end point?

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Hi.

    Yeah it depends on the DAW. In Logic you'd need to bring in the stereo reference (muted) and match the end of the project tracks to the stereo reference. The Album Assembler being the easiest way to do this and match linear fades.

    Thanks,
    Adam

  • User168142983939529811 (Customer)

    Thanks Adam.

    In the original logic Atmos session (my actual composition session with all the raw tracks, processing, and mixing) if I export it to an ADM file, it doesn’t end with the tracks. The ADM file it creates ends at the last bar of the session (arrange) window.

    When you said “…end of the project tracks” do you mean the project tracks of the ADM file?

    I’m other words, do I first export as an ADM BWF file and then open that file up, and then import the stereo mix, and then re-export once I truncate the atmos tracks to match the muted stereo file?
    Expand Post

  • User16784221300217267313 (AMMR Music)

    The Assembler has a fade macro. click and drag at the top corner of either end of the adm.wav file. Wha-la - fades!
    Matching the length of the master stereo file happens when you create the atmos master file in the renderer.
    Set the exact start and stop points before starting record.
    The Assemblers EQ and Limiter are great tools. I don't worry about conforming to loudness (within reason) until I'm in the Assembler.
    The Limiter really lets you hit the target on the nose (-18) lufs,

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Agreed. If you are will to buy the Album Assembler this become easy. If you are willing to get both the Album Assembler and the Renderer better still. But if not, it is possible to just use the free Dolby Atmos Conversion Tool to conform the length of the Atmos master to the stereo as long you address the fade in Logic.

    Best,
    Adam

  • User168142983939529811 (Customer)

    Thanks AMMR Music.

    Adam, my ADM BWF file does not have a fade out since in Logic Pro, I can’t seem to create a global fade out.

    It seems like I have to use AMMR’s method. I will buy the assembler. Do you know if I also have to buy the Dolby renderer, or can I just use the Album Assembler and Logic Pro?

    Thanks in advance.

  • AdamP (Dolby Labs)

    Hi,

    If you want to audition your fade and tweak it in realtime (and maybe other features like gain, limiting and EQ) you need both the Album Assembler and the Renderer for monitoring. It is possible to use the Album Assembler without the Renderer and export ADM BWF, reimport in Logic to audition but it is cumbersome. If you can swing it I recommend getting both.

    Best,
    Adam
    Expand Post

  • User168142983939529811 (Customer)

    Thanks Adam. So the assembler does not allow me to play the music file? It’s just visual, but has no audio engine?
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