Dolby has released the latest version of their Dolby Atmos software renderer for the Dolby Atmos Production Suite and Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite, with new features that include being able to measure loudness, new loudness and 7.1.4 re-render options built-in limiting on outputs and re-renders.

Measuring Loudness

With v3.4 you can now measure the loudness of a master in real-time (when monitoring) or offline. The offline measurements can be exported as a timeline (.csv file) or summary (.txt file).

The renderer now provides real-time loudness measurements and metering when monitoring input or playing back a master file.

The new pair of meters display real-time loudness information. The S meter provides short-term peak-hold metering. The M meter provides momentary peak-hold metering. For both meters, signal levels display in Loudness K-weighted relative to full scale, per ITU BS 1770.

There are two analysis buttons…

• Dolby Atmos: Provides loudness measurement for a Dolby Atmos master file based on your selected 5.1 monitoring mode.

• Stereo/Binaural: Provides loudness measurement based on the stereo downmix mode selected for monitoring, or binaural when binaural is selected as the render mode in headphone preferences.

New Re-render Options: 7.1.4 And Loudness

The re-render output matrix now includes two new layouts: 7.1.4 and Loudness.

These layouts are available when you create and map a re-render while configuring the re-render output matrix. The layouts appear as options in the Layout drop-down menus in the re-renders and properties windows. Dolby recommends that you use the Loudness layout (which is a 5.1 layout) for loudness measurements. For example, run the loudness re-render into the DAW if you are using an external loudness plug-in. This will be more accurate than running a standard 5.1 re-render into an external plug-in.

Limiting On Output And Re-renders

Processing preferences now include an option for turning on output limiting. When the Output limiting option is on, the renderer applies a soft clip limiter to speaker monitoring, headphone monitoring, and re-renders.

Group Improvements

After a master is created, you can now manage and reassign groups. In the Groups window, you can add, rename, or delete a group. In the Input configuration window, you change the group assignment for any bed.

Display Of Object Numbers Or Binaural Distance Model Settings

In the objects view, you can now display numbers for each object or the binaural distance model settings (off, near, mid, and far) for each input object.

Synchronization Updates

The renderer now includes offset controls for aligning timecode to audio and a linear timecode (LTC) generator plug-in for sending LTC over audio from Pro Tools to the renderer.

Trims And Downmix Controls

The Production Suite now includes the ability to write the trim and downmix settings to a master file. These are available in the trims and downmix controls window (accessible via Windows > Trim and Downmix Controls).

Learn More

You can download the detailed Release Notes for DAPS v3.4 and DAMs v3.4 which include guidance on how to use the new features.

New Installers

Dolby Atmos Renderer 3.4 has means there are new installers for both Dolby Atmos Production Suite (DAPS) and Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite (DAMS). Please be aware that there still isn’t a Windows version of DAPS, it is only available for the macOS, whereas DAMS is available for both macOS and Windows. Also, note that the Mac installer for Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite and Dolby Atmos Production Suite are identical.