What can I do with an Dolby ADM file?

Cubase
1

Hello dear Cubaser,
I’m currently using Cubase 13 pro and last week I played around with the Dolby Atmos feature. Great, when my Cubase is running I can place the individual instruments of my band in the room really well and actually hear the whole thing in “binaural” audio via headphones. Ok, but that only works in a running Cubase. The question is what can I actually do with this feature? Hmm… I can export an ADM file. Cool, but what do I do with this file afterwards? I was hoping that I could import this file into an mp4 file using my video editing program (Filmora) and then upload a YouTube video with Dolby Atmos sound. No … I couldn’t manage it. Then I tried it the other way around. I imported a video into Cubase in the hope that I could somehow export the Atmos mix together with video. That didn’t work either. My question is, what can I actually do with this Atmos feature?
Sorry if this question is too stupid …
Best regards
Recently

2

Dolby like confusing people so i asked chat gpt

Rendering Dolby Atmos from Cubase to MP4 involves multiple steps since Cubase itself doesn’t export directly to MP4. Instead, you’ll create the Dolby Atmos mix in Cubase, export it in a format that supports Dolby Atmos (like ADM BWF), and then use additional software to package the audio with a video file into an MP4. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Setup Dolby Atmos in Cubase

  1. Activate Dolby Atmos Production Suite or Renderer:
    • Make sure you have a Dolby Atmos Renderer or compatible plugin set up.
  2. Configure the Audio Mix:
    • Set up the required Dolby Atmos bus configuration in your Cubase project (e.g., 7.1.4 output routing).
  3. Mix in Dolby Atmos:
    • Arrange your audio objects, beds, and spatial effects in the mix.

2. Export Dolby Atmos ADM File

  1. Export ADM (Audio Definition Model) File:
    • Go to File > Export > ADM BWF.
    • This will export your mix as an ADM Broadcast Wave File, containing all the spatial metadata for Dolby Atmos.

3. Convert ADM File to Dolby Atmos MP4

To integrate the ADM file into an MP4, you’ll need additional software like Dolby Media Encoder or DaVinci Resolve Studio (which supports Dolby Atmos).

(Possibly you can export the mp4 from the Renderer Plugin TRY THIS FIRST BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING!)

Using Dolby Media Encoder:

  1. Import the ADM file into the Dolby Media Encoder.
  2. Encode the file into Dolby Atmos MP4 audio format.
  3. Combine this with your video in a video editor or muxing tool (e.g., FFmpeg).

Using DaVinci Resolve Studio:

  1. Open DaVinci Resolve Studio and create a new project.
  2. Import your video and ADM file.
  3. Sync the Dolby Atmos audio with your video.
  4. Render the final project as an MP4 with Dolby Atmos support.

4. Verify the Output

  1. Use a compatible Dolby Atmos playback system or software to verify the audio mix.
  2. Test on a device that supports Dolby Atmos playback (e.g., a Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar or headphones).

Read these for more info https://professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/article/Can-I-add-my-own-video-to-the-MP4-file-exported-from-the-Renderer?language=en_US#:~:text=The%20audio%20source%20for%20the,file%20set%20or%20ADM%20BWF.

https://www.avid.com/de/resource-center/encoding-and-delivering-dolby-atmos-music

3

I think the main confusion here is that Dolby fails to explain that Dolby Digital Plus, Joint Object Coding is what is used to make the MP4 file … Youtube will support up to 5.1 surround so if Exporting for youtube atmos will not function as intended.

When it comes to Dolby, YouTube supports Dolby Digital (AC3) & Dolby Digital Plus (EAC3) . Im a bit of a dolby hater for this reason as they tend to mislead the consumer into one thing and then do another . Or they hide a specific function with jargon (This Jargon Changes everytime they do something new). Then try to sell you something sneakily. Its possibly worth just sticking with standard surround for youtube . Im sure it sound great with a fully setup speaker system but Unless required for a specific project that needs it. … eh They are just making things sound fancy so they can Put the name on things and secure big contracts. They patented a sound ! which should be illegal really…

This video should explain more clearly what is going
on in the dodgy world of dolby. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyrkrPfN4VA&t=1244s

4

This video shows how to use the renderer to export mp4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=7O6ruYCrS5M&t=485s