ATMOS MIXING with CUBASE PRO | All you need to know to get started

[@RaneMusic]

This one of the best videos about Atmos mixing I've seen so far. The pacing/speed of the video/editing is perfect, you get straight to the point and the quality of the video is just perfect. 4k video, good mic setup and audio quality... Just a good video throughout :)

[@DerekPower]

1 - Atmos has a better shot of being an easily accessible surround format that other previous ones because it can work in headphones 2 - The other advantage to using Atmos is that it brings dynamics back into the mix because you are now working with a space rather than discrete channels. 3 - I would like to mix in it in the future once I have things set up and worked out (and your video helped in a way). 4 - My general attitude regarding mixing music in Atmos is first to figure out whether you want the music to sound like it's being played live or not. After all, the principles developed for mixing certain styles of music have the end goal of making the soundstage sound close to a "live stage". Thus, you would place your objects in relation to an audience member (even better, if that audience member is in the front row or even on stage with the performer). But if you work in a style that doesn't necessitate that kind of "realism", then it's "anything goes" Quick and dirty thoughts on this =]

[@mixdownonline]

Good points, thanks for your comment, Derek!

[@gemerman]

Thanks for the video, Chris. I had the chance and listen to an Atmos setup at a studio here in Cologne, Germany. I'm not your average sound engineer (nearly 60 and female) and I like certain music. I'm not a fan of Hip Hop or dance, but there were some young engineers that blew me away. I had never heard a Hip Hop track like that. It was mind blowing. I think, that especially in that genre of music, the possibilities seem endless in what you can create.

[@peterranallo]

Great video Chris. I wish I would have seen it when I started mixing in Atmos :). I started the day Cubase added the renderer. I now have a simple 7.1.4 setup. There is a huge learning curve to understand the entire process, but I am enjoying it so much, it is worth it. We are in the early stages and to be quite honest, just because we can work in Atmos doesn’t mean the song will be better than in stereo. That being said, as I get better in Atmos, I prefer binaural over stereo, and listening with the speakers has re-ignited my love for listening and discovering new music. Like anything else, practice makes perfect :)

[@mixdownonline]

That's interesting, Peter, thanks for sharing. I still like Stereo better than Binaural, but my ATMOS listening experience at Blackbird Studio C in Nashville back in 2019, was just incredible

[@rivitheadlab2523]

THIS! Is what I have been wanting to do since Cubase 3 back in 1995!!!!! So excited! Thanks for the step by set man!!!! The binaural setting is a blessing as money and space is at a premium!

[@mixdownonline]

Awesome! Happy you enjoyed the video!

[@amendippanesar]

I did the same thing and enjoyed it. My first approved Dolby Atmos mix goes up on streaming next month

[@mixdownonline]

That's pretty cool!

[@dkkrecords]

Hey good to hear….given that yu already have done….maybe yu have an answer why my objects are not rendering but the beds are…..if yu have a solution to this problem I’d be mightily grateful

[@boomboxstudiosUK]

I'll probably just use this for placing thing in a standard stereo mix, just for more depth. Probably make the mix more immersive and interesting for sure. Thanks for the info, appreciated.

[@americanwatercolormovement]

Thanks for this - I've been thinking of experimenting with ATMOS for our new recordings, but didn't have the time/energy to even figure out where to start. This is fantastic.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@elpecemusiq6955]

I certainly will experiment with it.

[@THZORROMUSIC]

Really great, thanks a lot for this first step into atmos. Please keep on going. Would be interesting how to set up the master buss where the renderer is now on, master compressor / eq etc. before it, as usual on a stereo buss. And what levels to go for? ... However, thanks so far, I will try it out right now.

[@mixdownonline]

Not sure the stereo bus would have the same role than in Stereo. For now, lots of engineers Mix music in Streo, and then bounce stems to be Mixed in the Atmos space

[@Rusty123R]

Great video Chris, I have Cubase 12 haven’t tried ATMOS yet

[@giannispan8129]

For recording electronic drums in midi format, we recommend cubase 13 or logic pro

[@ricshaw4358]

Fantastic Tutorial, this was very informative and easy to understand

[@mixdownonline]

I'm glad you like it!

[@fotonkiy]

Wow! Very interesting and important video! Thank you

[@mithu219]

Yes will experiment

[@douglashazelrigg4377]

I've been hired to create content for an artist (sculptor) who wants to conduct a series of shows in his large, warehouse studio. His basic concept is to emulate the murmuration of birds but in the auditory realm, using an array of speakers. I've promoted the idea of using 7.1.2 (or 7.1.4) surround, but now we're taking a close look at Atmos. The challenge will be finding a speaker array that doesn't break the bank (fortunately, he's willing to spend quite a bit to realize his vision). This will be an interesting journey for me, which has started right here with your video -- thank you! :) (As an aside, I'm surprised I'm not finding inexpensive joysticks on the market for panning... maybe I'm not looking in the right places)

[@MaPa60]

You made Atmos make sense, tnx! So it’s a more spaceous room sound with a bit of movement, aka immersive. Quite a few more hoops to a mix, especially with big projects. Could we achieve something similar with reverbs and some automation of the panning, yes, on stereo speakers. So who will have a 7.1.2 speaker setup? Movie theaters, which are shutting down due to streaming competition. Uni’s, a few stores, and people with big houses. Will that be enough to make it popular? I doubt it, the economy is not exactly going in that direction atm. Still cool to know, and maybe I will give a mix or two a shot with the methods you show here. Does the renderer plugin and the bed plugin come with Cubase 13 Pro, or is that 3`rd party?

[@Justin_the_Analog_IC_architect]

Thanks for this Chris. I didn't know Atmos was available in Pro 12.

[@delightleo593]

Thanks for this teaching.

[@mixdownonline]

You are very welcome

[@dspoet1]

I appreciate this video. I use Nuendo and do a lot of sound design for my short films.

[@vishtasbazarnoosh5487]

Thanks Chris. I can see you use ARX4 as interface. It has X8 Line out. How you get X16 lineout for Dolby atmos? Can you make a video about hardware connections and equipmets for dolby atmos please?

[@johnforbesmusic]

Bravo Maestro!

[@2009Tosh]

Brilliant.... after creating the atmos mix can you export as standard .aiff and have it retain what you were hearing in your phones?

[@MajikMuzq]

Awesome video thanks Chris I feel much more confident experimenting👌🏾

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@soundsupport]

super helpful. thanks a lot !

[@mixdownonline]

Of course! Glad it was helpful!

[@19Stride]

Awesome video 🎉 please shoot more!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@braxal6983]

Chris, I really appreciate this video a ton. It appears by what you are saying is we cannot truly mix Atmos on headphones?. I really wonder how Dolby thinks consumers are going to install all these speakers in their house. Think about all the cabling and wires and holes in the ceilings and getting power to the monitors. If studios are having issues for room and expense for speakers it is going to be worse for the consumer.

[@Sidharrtharun]

Thanks for this video Brother> I did not had any idea about the work flow in Cubase.

[@mixdownonline]

Of course!

[@bwplearntech1052]

Good video. Thanks for doing this. I think it'd be nice to maybe hear something moving during the mix and have the track downloadable. I wonder what it would sound like to use monitors placed directly on the sides (like in headphones)? Great job.👍

[@mixdownonline]

Not sure that would work very well. Binaural is really designed for headphones, and doesn't have the L to R bleed we get with speakers. That doesn't stop you to try it though :-)

[@TrevorNokesMusic]

Hi Chris, I've been messing around with this since the Pro 12 was released, Prior to that i was using the Imersive Audio plugin. Its Fantastic.

[@mixdownonline]

Hey Trevor, that's so cool! Steinberg did a good job intergrading Atmos on C-Pro12. Glad you like it!

[@hagenpresser8721]

Great Job Chris, go on (Y)

[@kcdewinter611]

On the flip side ( pardon the pun) it's interesting that vinyl, cassettes, and 70s hifi are all cool again for listening to music right now.

[@Tigraymusic2022]

Hi Chris. thanks as always. Can mixing in Atmos resolve problems with masking frequencies that occur in track mixing in Cubase? Thanks! Dan

[@hanisiblini]

Wow Atmos Nailed with Chris !!! Love the Video

[@hanisiblini]

Atmos is the future of MUSIC and yes i will experiment

[@mixdownonline]

Glad you liked the video :-)

[@hanisiblini]

@@mixdownonline In fact i started experimenting this method Grace a vous

[@felipemaya2003]

Cubase ❤❤

[@insomnia1on1]

i think Atmos will be the future in music, most new car`s has that system from factory

[@wariedl12]

Dear Chris, i learned so much from you. Thank you for that! Where can I donate to support your channel? Walter

[@OKvalosound]

Great demonstration, thanks! I'm still on Cubase Pro 11 and didn't know that they implemented a complete Atmos process 😅. IMHO Atmos is great for movies and games. Regarding music, I guess that more than 90% of consumers can't hear the difference between a stereo and an Atmos mix or even don't care. The thing is, that audio technology is fully developed for quite some time and industry is desperately trying to generate new needs. But if I'm wrong I will certainly realise it quickly😁.

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks for your comment! I agree, not sure people will ear much of a difference on earpods Lol!

[@BigBryanFilms]

Hello Chris, I think I have problem with my cubase with this dolby atmos.. can you help for me?

[@QuaverloveStudio]

Will I be checking it out? Absolutely! The fact that Cubase Pro has it included (as standard) kind of indicates to me it is shaping up to be the way forward. I also believe there will [in the not too distant future] less expensive ATMOS monitoring available to justify the argument of it being the next 'standard'. I KNOW I'll be having fun with FX in ATMOS! Thanks again, o Leader of the MCC!

[@mixdownonline]

Lol! You're welcome, Simon!

[@66fitton]

Only Cubase 12 pro. 11 pro does not have it.

[@thebradgordoncomposer]

Great video as always. I'm making some ATMOS mixes from stems because my manger says some platforms and supervisors are requiring them now for submissions. I understand now how to make the mixes with headphones, but how do you check them? I saw one video that says the volume has to be at -18. And there's no way to master it? I feel like I'm guessing. And just for context-- about 10 years ago a TV production company requested a Surround Sound mix of a theme song I did. In a panic I just bounced down the song in Surround sound on Cubase with nothing on the rear channels. Nobody said anything and everything was fine. Soon I stopped getting that request. I wonder if this is what will happen with ATMOS. It seems like a format for Film soundtrack mixers to use on projects that will play in theaters or special ambient spaces. In that case the ATMOS mix should not be the song producer's responsibility. Just my 0.02.

[@janwilkendorf]

Great work! Great video! Thank you!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@BassBusMusic]

Whether or not it's the next big thing, I'm hooked. Specially if Cubase has a renderer in it already. Time to upgrade my Cubase.

[@mixdownonline]

You'le see Cubase Pro 12 is great!

[@domstoomusicproduction-mj3tf]

Hi Chris, The Atmos will be take the same way than "quadrophonia" : Pscchhhtttt ! remember it . But, I'm composing instead music for movies, and for those, it's very interesting. For the rest, I can't imagine a remix of the Deep Purple's made in Japan for example...

[@mixedbydense]

Hey Chris as usual, Great Video ! but my question is what's the LUFS requirements of ADM file ?

[@QFXmusic]

Great to seeing new content from you Chris :) Do you know that there is now a new Atmos render that works in any Daw :)

[@themarcos150591]

Thank you, thank you, thank you sooo much

[@mixdownonline]

Of course!

[@teamcubendo]

Gold!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@georgeadel]

Super interesting 🙄

[@alihanapiyahofficial24]

yes Cubase Pro12 dolby Atmos on binaural sound is so Good

[@mixdownonline]

It's a good way to start experimenting with all of this :-) Thanks for watching!

[@66fitton]

For those with wealthy friends that own a new Mercedes you can check your mixes in it lol. They have an ATMOS system installed. Volvo and Lotus are also working with Dolby to bring ATMOS into their cars. Brings a whole new meaning to checking your mix in "the car". Fad? Maybe, but it's gaining ground for now...

[@garethde-witt6433]

Sounds like music for wankers

[@clockrightstudio1822]

Is the mixdown stereo, with atmos imaging? And what about mastering can these be mastered as stereo, or atmos?

[@abbasalhawaj]

I agree that he works with the Atmosphere system, but for cinema works, not for music works. I mean songs, and I think the topic is exciting

[@mixdownonline]

Wherever that goes, it's definately an interresting topic!

[@franlarsen80]

Is there anything in Atmos mixing that is comparable to the idea of mix bus glue? A way to apply a small amount of compression equally to all Atmos channels?

[@domstoomusicproduction-mj3tf]

Hi Chris Another post because I am working on music and noises for a movie. So, I can't mixing group channels or FX channels in dolby, I can't create objects with these...

[@gotyor]

I tried the built atmos setup with cubase a few months back. It was fun to try out for a few hours. and having no rules and expectation made it freeing. Its cool, but lets be realistic getting the world to switch to atmos maybe just to big of a hill to climb. I get apple wants this to happen. Sell airpods to everyone, but if they couldn't sell a iphone to everybody there is no way they are going to sell airpods to everybody. Their overall market share on iphones alone to this day is not enough to make it happen world wide. So I will continue to be in the wait and see camp? And as you shown for a seasoned engineer its really pretty simple to do. So if that times comes I can adapt.

[@DoctorOscillatorMusic]

Do you think it is worth upgrading from Artist 12 to Pro? 🤔

[@nunyabizfam106]

How would atmos work with the control room in cubase?

[@lionelh152]

Here you are under mac ( hardware and OS) Does this work under intel PC with microsoft windows 10 OS ? ( cubase +ADM from dolby ) ? thank's

[@snowandcoal]

Can you export binaural as stereo track from Cubase?

[@LuisFlores-Producer]

Thaks for the video!, the future of music industry allways try to evolve to make the listener have a more sensations that stereo provide us, so in my opinion, we will have a new standar in the near future, we can buy the comercial system to have that Atmos expirience, even in a cellphone!, if steinberg have it in the DAW that´s proof enogh to me!!! hahaha

[@netrom_dnb]

Hell yeah. This seem interesting!!

[@mixdownonline]

For sure, and there's still lots to learn about Atmos Mixing, we're only at the beginning :-)

[@netrom_dnb]

@@mixdownonline Seems so! I myself am more into electronic music production and drum and bass is my way. I already imagined how Atmos mixing can be useful there because in drum and bass you have a lot of small pointy sounds in different locations and so on. So yeah, definitely looking into that.🔥🔥🔥

[@grooveguv]

Hey Chris, great info as usual... One question, will any pair of headphones work, or do we have to choose something "compatible" like Apple Airpods for recording and playback? Thanks...

[@mixdownonline]

I think most Mixing type headphone will work

[@frankhartmann8253]

cool video. Very interesting how you positioned the instruments in the room. And the size feature - great! I have listened to some Atmos Songs, but most of them just rotate one or the other instruments around your head. This is impressive the first time, but annoying after a while and sounds "not common". I think we have to experiment, which instrument could be placed in the room, e.g. above the head and brings a new experience of listening and which other ones we better keep in front of us. Exciting times :-)

[@mixdownonline]

Exciting times for sure :-). Thanks for watching!

[@dolbymixingpro]

i use this alot and it's super fun but i wish there was auto panning

[@happyshadow]

SHIFT + S on Mac to change sample rate :)

[@edgarsrakovskis]

Thank you, sir! One quetion: does the ATMOS functions differ from Cubase and Nuendo? Someone told me that there are some functions you are not able to do within ATMOS in Cubase. Your comment will be highly appreciated.

[@elpecemusiq6955]

I'm using my phone to watch this video (Samsung Z fold) It's interesting that I can actually realise the movement of the object on my phone that has stereo speakers😂 But you need to activate, Dolby Atmos on your phone.

[@HomeRecordingMadeEasy]

Until the consumer can listen to a atmos mix properly on headphones, where 90% of people listen to their music these days, then mixing in atmos seems pointless to me. The binural mix sounds absoutley nothing like a real atmos mix, so unless the client is going to setup a dolby room in their house where they will sit in the "sweet-spot" and listen to music, they wont be able to experience the atmos mix. I think this is just anothe rmarketing ploy where the ones who really make out are speaker manufactures. LOL. I do think it's very cool that Cubase did such a good job intergrating atmos into theri DAW. They made it very easy for sure and it is fun to fool arond with but again, what Chris just demostrated (which was done excellent by the way, great job Chris) sounds absoutely nothing like a atmos mix. Yes, is has alittle reverb sound but the front to back and top to bottom does not sound real or accurate. So, is it cool? Yes. Will it become the new standard? I think it will but not for several years. Yes, the KZbin "hype" machine is in full force and every KZbin channel is talking aobut it becuase that is exactly what hardware manufactures want to have hapen. They want to sell gear. LOL.

[@DanielSarkis]

Hi Chris, It's not working here. I'm using Cubase 12 PRO - Mac Mini M1 Settings for 512 ans 48000 done but not create renderer output 7.1.4 What's wrong here???

[@bhabanishanakr]

Next Atmos mix song's

[@barnpostmedia]

I have the ability, and the room to mix and listen to Atmos. It's a fun format to play with, but the average listener is still listening to music in stereo or binaural. I cannot predict the future, but I don't see a large percentage of people setting up cinematic rooms to listen to music. Now, add in vehicles, mono speakers, sound bars, etc. It isn't convenient. Atmos sounds amazing and is fun to work in, but I don't see it becoming the standard.

[@asmundma]

This becomes little bit funny, Fiedler Audio just release Atmos Composer and suddenly the benefit from Cubase, Logic and Pro Tools disappeared. Every DAW can now be a Atmos DAW. It's maybe even have some benefits, you need to use 48 or 96kHz sampling. But the buffer size do not need to be 512. AND you can have both the stereo project and the Atmos session in the same project, just turn off the Atmos render and the stereo sound comes back. This is very nice if you want to modify the project in a middle of a Atmos mixing session. Drawback is 200 USD:

[@taomestudio]

I do not know what happend but after i finish the step of putting Binaural I hit play but nothing comes to my headphones i did exactly the step-by-step but not sure what is happening. Any ideas?

[@aodystudio]

Hi , How to Import ADM file on Cubase 12, because it's not import ADM menu. Please help me, Thank you sir.

[@1loveMusic2003]

It will be the new format because huge companies have invested in it so it will be the way and it folds down if you like stereo so win win

[@midnightwind8067]

I have not heard one fold down that was good. Muddy and echo drowned music. The industry seems tired of competition from the lap top crowd and this will kill most of them off. No atmos mix? No streams. Sorry independents. You lose. But this cannot last. Someone will start an indie streaming service. That will be great until a corporation buys it out. The wheel never stops turning. This is just the latest thing to force people to buy stuff they don’t want or need. I have seen this before in many other businesses. Some will chase it. Let them.

[@alejandrososa2310]

hooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! tks chris!

[@mixdownonline]

Welcome!

[@leondego8445]

When I Create beds from tracks it doesn't give an object ID number?

[@DMidNyte]

suggestion....playing the track previously, and then after atmos, would have been very helpful to me. Just sayin

[@jordiguzman]

When I export the ADM, a very curious thing happens to me: the sends created when you convert the track to an object disappear, the tracks that are objects are no longer objects and are not heard in the mix. After rendering the sends go back to their place and the tracks become objects again. Weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life...

[@ramspencer5492]

I think vast majority of Atmos listeners (if it indeed doesn't go the way of the 3d television for the average music consumer) will be binaural listening. So least mixing way should be a workaround for anyone who's concerned of being bumped of apples pluralist.... At least for a while. BTW.... Total d*** move of Apple! 🤪😎 There's probably going to be some kind of ultra affordable option to get a speaker system just for the panning .... And use headphones for the actual critical listening and mixing Thanks for the video

[@davidkeller8084]

This is really cool. I love the concept but, this will be somewhat expensive for the end user. "In the early stages". You know when 5.1 surround sound came out it was rather expensive to set up your home theater. As time went on you could get a "cheep" system at a reasonable price "but". Was it great? Everything ATMOS I have had the opportunity to demo has been amazing and way to expensive. It's kind of like the first time I heard "Dark Side of The Moon." in quadrophonic stereo. WOW was my reaction. I will say that ATMOS is a huge leap forward to the pursuit of immersive audio. So, I have to ask. What's next?

[@mixdownonline]

We'll see what will happen. I did also experiment ATMO listening session at Black Bird Studio C in Nashville, and WOW, that was impressive...not the same experince with Binaural though :-)

[@richertz]

I don’t like binaural Atmos - stereo still sounds more solid and not all phasey. I’m sure Atmos rig is great. With this in mine I think it’s dead and the general consensus I feel from other producers not sponsored to sell the idea is the same. Not putting down the tech but it’s a realistic overview.

[@mixdownonline]

I'm really not sure where this is gonna go for music production, but I do agree that regulare stereo sounds more solid than Binaural at this point in time.

[@sideast]

How many ears have we got ?

[@garethde-witt6433]

Atmos and all surround sound for music should be avoided at all costs, it ruins music it’s worse than quadraphonic and that was gimmicky at best. we don’t actually hear music in surround not even in a live situation. I have disabled it on all my devices and refuse to buy anything in the format.

[@slipagent6]

A lot can be done in stereo and atmos is a bit confusing for mixing. But Ive been playing different atmos albums on my atmos home theater and they sound great.

[@makeitknock2973]

absolutly no more manual paning

[@thesoundresidence]

For film and games, yes... For music it will never be the preferred format. It will be a niche format

[@mixdownonline]

If Atmos bevomes the thing for music, I"ll adapt, but I hope you're right to be honest.

[@THZORROMUSIC]

It is a cool and creative enrichment and added value for the listeners, but also for us sound tuners. Besides, there is another new possibility to stand out, at least for a while. I think it could also help one or the other song and arrangement to support the content or message. Let's see ...

[@CarcPazu]

As an ex-audiophile and ex-fan of 5.1 surround sound, I spent a lot of time, money and energy on this and at the end of the day I realized that it's all BS. Dolby Surround, Surround Sound 5.1, DVD Audio, SACD and whatnot… Dolby Atmos is just another standard that will be gone in about 10 years. The vast majority of people don't care about surround and are not ready to invest in it.

[@elpecemusiq6955]

...that being said, in this very video of Chris, I enjoyed it using my phone stereo speakers, [Samsung Z fold]. I could hear the sound above me on a cellphone. I've been enjoying that on movies for some time now but didn't know what kind of panning that is. A lot of people use cellphones. This is likely to be noticeable with the next generation of youth because Dolby Atmos is noticeable on a cellphone.

[@CarcPazu]

@@elpecemusiq6955 Ask yourself if Atmos really matter on a profound level? Will people ever only click on stuff that are Atmos or the vast majority of people do not care? Atmos is just a nice-to-have feature but it's pretty much unessential. Atmos are trying to convince people that it's as important as stereophony and that it will revolutionize how people listen to stuff like all the other standards that came before them claimed. At the end of the day content is king, as long as the sound is decent, people will consume it. For movies I can see how it's useful and fun as I've experienced many surround sound standards but for music, it's pretty much meh. I have a pile of DVD-Audio and SACD disk here collecting dust, it was fun to hear guitars spin around me but it didn't made Dark Side of the Moon a much better album or a must have. Anyway, that's just my opinion.

[@elpecemusiq6955]

@CarcPazu I think there's more that is to be expected with Atmos. Imagine the improved version of it on hearing aids for audio impaired people. Combat and training for trainee soldiers without having to go to the actual field. Possibilities are greater than entertainment.

[@Punkkydre]

A few will probably buy such a setup to their homes..... The masses wont, ever. They have their blutooth speakers and headphones. And Atmos is hardly going to do any real difference on those anyway. And audiophiles have their massive stereo setups that they won't ever let go. In movies, yes. Music, certanly not.

[@mixdownonline]

We'll see, not sure where this is gonna go! I'm waiting with my popcorn bag!

[@murraywebster1228]

Most people listen on headphones, so tops binaural……what’s the point then? Even the most people who listen in stereo do not listen on optimised positioned speakers and from an optimised position, and I don’t think anybody will buy and install 11 loudspeakers plus sub-bass(es), and the biggest question is, how many people outside the industry will be able to hear the difference, most just think it is unfocused and „like listening to the radio in the toilet“, and helicopters flying around the cinema doesn’t have much to listening to music for pleasure, so the question is, just who is this format for? And who is going to pay for the extra work involved in producing immersive mixes…yes, it sounds different but is that „different“ actually good in everyday lives, just because the technology is there to do it doesn’t mean Joe Public is going to want it, let alone pay for it…..

[@dms6554]

Help! How to add an extra bed in Cubase?