Gianluca Patrito (G-Effect Studio) asked a question.
Spatial Audio and Renderer, difference and missing files
Hi, probably i'll do something wrong but when i listen the MP4 exported from the renderer with the headphones with a Mac and Monterey, some instrument are lower or missed in the MP4.
I have tried also to import the ADM master in Logic and the result is the same.
When i import the ADM on Logic this message appear "This ADM file contains non-default downmix and trim settings that cannot be imported"
The parameter are:
5.1 and 5.1.x dwnmix. Direct renderer with room balance
5.1 to 2.0 dwnmix Lo/Ro default
Please how can i check my mix for Apple, compare it with renderer export and set the renderer in the right way?
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards
I have tried also to import the ADM master in Logic and the result is the same.
When i import the ADM on Logic this message appear "This ADM file contains non-default downmix and trim settings that cannot be imported"
The parameter are:
5.1 and 5.1.x dwnmix. Direct renderer with room balance
5.1 to 2.0 dwnmix Lo/Ro default
Please how can i check my mix for Apple, compare it with renderer export and set the renderer in the right way?
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards
If you are listening to an MP4 through devices that aren't capable of reproduction with Spatial Audio you are just hearing a stereo downmix of the 5.1 that forms the core of the DDPlus JOC codec in the MP4. This isn't representative of what Apple Music customer will hear when listening in stereo. Might be worth having a look at this article: https://professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/How-can-I-QC-my-mix-on-Apple-devices
Logic uses the default 5.1downmix of LoRo so the message is just letting the user know that non-default downmix values will be discarded when an ADM BWF is imported.
You could change the 5.1 downmix parameter to Direct Render or LoRo and it will have some effect on the stereo downmix but again a stereo downmix of DDPlus JOC is not necessarily a realistic way to QC what Apple Music customers hear in stereo. Using devices with Spatial Audio would be more informative.
Best,
Adam
thank you for your reply.
Please I need more clarifications.
I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a MacBook Pro that can play my master in Spatial Audio.
It’s enough play the file from the iPhone folder file and MB desktop or I have to import the file in Apple Music application?
I’m sorry but it’s not clear for me where the DD+ Joc is applied.
Please I have two more questions.
I have to take in consideration the -18 lufs and- 1 TP value for the delivery of the master for the Atmos Master or for the Binaural?
I asked a software evaluation for the Dolby Reference Player but this was the reply
“Insufficient information. Please contact Dolby Support if any questions”
What can I do to try the software and buy?
Thank you in advance.
Best Regards.
The DDPlus JOC encode is applied prior to the MP4 export. If you are listening to Spatial Audio via the files app on the phone with Atmos enabled and appropriate headphones/buds that is the best way to assess how the content will sound on Apple Music. From the files app with Atmos enabled the audio is decoded to 7.1.4 and then Apple applied Spatial Audio which is Apple's proprietary binauralization. The downmix modes are not relevant as they not applied in this case. If you listen on an Apple platform that supports Spatial Audio but isnt' an application that can access that then you will hear the Atmos downmixed to stereo and the downmix modes are used.
Using the phone with appropriate headphones/buds are the best approach. While the desktop supports Spatial Audio it is only from Apple applications which you can't access via the MP4 file.
Dolby Reference Player is free but only distributed with the encoding software. You probably don't really need either but you can get the reference player via the evaluation version of the Dolby Media Encoder.
Best,
Adam
thank you for your detailed explanation.
Please can you suggest me the best way to do QC with Android?
And regarding the loudness value, if I use the Atmos meter on the renderer for sure the binaural value will be over the maximum value.
What I have to consider of two for the delivery?
Regarding the Dolby Media Encoder I asked the evaluation version but this is the reply
“ Insufficient information. Please contact Dolby Support if any questions.”
But I’m sure that all files in the form was compiled.
Thank you in advance.
All the best.
Unlike the Apple eco-system, the Android eco-system is heterogeneous so there isn't a straight answer to that. Dolby Atmos support is on specific devices but side loading files for playback through the decoder is quite variable depending on implementations. Dolby Atmos is supported on The Tidal streaming services uses the AC4-IMS codec so listening to the Binaural output is accurate for QC purposes. For DDPlus JOC virtualizations is via SDK. There is no direct parallel in monitoring for QC so monitoring over loudspeaker should be used..
Re: Loudness - The Atmos loudness measurement in the Renderer should be used as the ADM BWF is the deliverable.
I don't know why the form would be returned for insufficient information. I can inquire with the operations team. However, this isn't something that most content creators really have a need for.
Best,
Adam
Did you apply for an evaluation version of DME or DEE?
Thanks,
Adam
I have applied for DME some days ago after a first request of Dolby Reference Player evaluation, but I haven’t received any reply to my second request.
Thank you for your support.
All the best