I’m looking for a Dolby Atmos-capable sound system that I can use for working with WaveLab 13/Nuendo 14 on a Windows 11 PC. Which system would be best suited – and which connections should I use?
I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.
I can’t recommend anything specific, except that I warmly recommend what is often a general recommendation anyway: a 7.1.4 speaker configuration.
That is, 7 speakers on the horizontal plane, a subwoofer, and 4 ceiling speakers. The ceiling speakers are the key to truly having three-dimensional sound, and I must say it was a small revelation for me.
If that’s too much, then the minimum is 5.1.2.
Sometimes I hear that an Atmos studio costs a fortune. But even though that can obviously be the case, it’s not necessarily required at all. This is just my personal opinion, but the quality of speakers, other than the front Left and Right, doesn’t need to be anywhere near the same as the front Left and Right.
One difficulty is mainly practical, in the sense of placing the speakers and especially how to run the cables and mount the speakers on the ceiling. Because going from a stereo system to 12 speakers is definitely a change. And obviously, it depends on where each person works.
So this means an audio interface with at least 12 channels, and actually 14 is preferable, so you also have a separate output for binaural mode.
If you search online, you’ll find quite a few tips for setting up an Atmos system.
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Hi,
Thank you for the explanation. I have a separate (small) room that I would modify/prepare to meet the specific spatial requirements. In my search so far, I’ve only come across systems with USB ports. My computer, however, doesn’t have an optical output that I could use, and I’m not sure if USB supports 5.1.2, let alone 7.1.4. This is where the question really starts with the computer – do I need a special audio interface for the connection?
USB3- is perfectly fine. I always recommend RME hardware, like the Fireface UFX series. This is great hardware, but this is not the least expensive solution.
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Well, from a total different perspective and for what it’s worth: you can upgrade to an immersive project studio for around 7000 euro - for interface and monitors I mean (in case you already have a good stereo home studio, incl. computer and acoustic treatment). Not mastering grade, but decent enough to produce and mix in immersive audio. For instance an Audient Oria interface and small Genelecs, Neumans or iLouds can work fine. Again, not for mastering (although I’ve done it this way for my last two albums). I’m using Wavelab for over 20 years in a home studio environment. It’s also very useful outside the big mastering studio’s…
I’m currently writing a book on immersive music production (from composing to mastering), which will be published in March. And yes, Wavelab 13 will be discussed in it too!
Always open to help.
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A new book sounds very interesting; I hope I find out where it will be published.
I’m using an AMD X670 motherboard, which has 7.1 (8-channel) surround sound, digital audio, and onboard support. With Windows 11, it supports Dolby Atmos output via my GeForce RTX 4070 Super Verto graphics card.
I must confess, I have no idea what settings I need to adjust in WaveLab 13 to make this work. I would be very grateful for any helpful advice.
Best regards, Detlef
Hi Detlef,
I’m working on Mac, so have no experience with this motherboard or graphics card. But do I understand you right that you have a question about routings?
In order to produce (and master) in Dolby Atmos you need minimum a 7.1.4 system. Immersive music has this extra height layer that surround doesn’t have. So an audio interface with min 12 outputs is needed (for sending to your monitors). In Wavelab you just route the audio to this audio interface.
But in your case you do audio routing from this motherboard/graphics card? That indeed is something I don’t have experiece in. But even then you need a least 12 outputs.
Having said this, with 8 channels you can set-up a 5.1.2 system. This configuration is minimum for immersive, and you can use this for creating and producing immersive music (in Nuendo for instane). But Dolby sets the minimum to 7.1.4 (there is a reason for that, but that is a long answer). Especially in mastering stage (Wavelab) you need this (even more: 9.1.6 for mastering is better).
The book will be published in March, and will be available on all webshops. I don’t know if I’m allowed to announce this on this forum? Have to check the rules. Although it is a non-profit project…
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Trying to figure out which Dolby Atmos system to go with—there are so many options, it’s almost like picking the right strategy for a big exam. Both take time and research to get right! If anyone has recommendations for a great setup, I’d love to hear them. And on that note, I am willing to Pay someone to take my Insurance Licensing exam, I could definitely use some help balancing all these decisions!
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Hi Jessica,
The first question would be: what is your goal for setting up an Atmos (or another immersive) system? Are you a pro mastering engineer wanting to do Atmos mastering for clients? In that case you need to do a big investment.
But if you want to set up a decent project studio, in which you can create, produce and mix immersive music, it’s a whole other (and much cheaper) story. And I’m willing to help people in setting up something like this. But first I have to reach the deadline for my book (which is exactly on this theme). But also in this case Wavelab 13 can be of a great help! (it’s much better than the tools Dolby is offering themselves)
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Hi Gert,
can you give us the book titel so that we scan the stores for it?
Greetings Detlef
As soon as the manuscript is uploaded I’ll send you more info!
Steinberg can be very happy with this book (Avid a bit less…
)
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