Dolby Atmos Renderer

Release Notes

15 March 2023
Software v5.0
 Notices

Notices
Copyright
© 2017-2023 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved.

Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

1275 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103-1410 USA
Telephone 415-558-0200
Fax 415-645-4000
http://www.dolby.com

Trademarks
Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
The following are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories:

Dialogue Intelligence™ Dolby Theatre®

Dolby® Dolby Vision®
Dolby Advanced Audio™ Dolby Vision IQ™
Dolby Atmos® Dolby Voice®
Dolby Audio™ Feel Every Dimension™
Dolby Cinema® Feel Every Dimension in Dolby™
Dolby Digital Plus™ Feel Every Dimension in Dolby Atmos™
Dolby Digital Plus Advanced Audio™ MLP Lossless™
Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater™ Pro Logic®
Dolby Home Theater® Surround EX™
All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 2

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Contents

Contents
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 About this documentation.................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Contacting Dolby................................................................................................................................... 5

2 New in Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0.............................................................................................................6

3 Previous releases.........................................................................................................................................11
3.1 New in version 3.7.3...............................................................................................................................12
3.2 New in version 3.2..................................................................................................................................12
3.3 New in version 3.0.1...............................................................................................................................12
3.4 New in version 3.7..................................................................................................................................13
3.5 New in version 3.5..................................................................................................................................17
3.6 New in version 3.4..................................................................................................................................20
3.7 New in version 3.7.3...............................................................................................................................21
3.8 New in version 3.2..................................................................................................................................22
3.9 New in version 3.2..................................................................................................................................22
3.10 New in version 3.0.1...............................................................................................................................23

4 Known issues............................................................................................................................................... 24

5 Glossary....................................................................................................................................................... 28

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 3

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Introduction

Introduction
1
This documentation covers software changes, and known issues for Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0. This
documentation is for engineers, sound designers, and others who install or use Renderer software.

• About this documentation

• Contacting Dolby

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 4

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 About this documentation

1.1 About this documentation

This documentation is for engineers, sound designers, and others who install or use Dolby Atmos Renderer
software.
Note: This documentation also includes a list of features and improvements added in recent previous
versions.

For information about Renderer features, see the Dolby Atmos Renderer User's Guide . For installation and
setup information, see the Dolby Atmos Renderer Installation and Configuration Guide .

1.2 Contacting Dolby

You can contact Dolby regarding this product and its supporting documentation.
• If you have technical questions about this product, visit https://professionalsupport.dolby.com.
• For additional questions and more information on working in Dolby Atmos, visit the knowledge base and
forums at https://professionalsupport.dolby.com.
• If you have questions or comments about this documentation, please send an email to
documentation@dolby.com.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 5

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0

New in Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0

2
This version of Dolby Atmos Renderer includes new features, improvements, and fixes, as well as
updates included in previous versions.
• Apple silicon support.
• UI improvements.
• Ability to export a 96 kHz master as an ADM BWF.
• Trim and downmix settings are persistent between sessions.
• 5.1.2 re-renders.
• Room EQ (in the Speaker calibrations window).
• Updated plug-ins.
• Expanded list of qualified Dolby Atmos Renderer workstation setups. See the Installation and
Configuration Guide for details.

UI improvements
The user interface (UI) has been updated for readability, and includes new and updated:
• UI names (such as those for buttons, labels, switches, windows, and dialogs)
• File menus and submenus
• Keyboard shortcuts

Figure 1: Dolby Atmos Renderer software main window (no master open)

Note: The Dolby Atmos Renderer User's Guide provides information on each UI item.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 6

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Master section updates
The master section is now on the upper left side of the main window. The workflows for locking and
unlocking a master file have been improved.

Figure 2: Master section in the main window (shown with open master)

Note: The Dolby Atmos Renderer User's Guide provides details on workflows that use the
main window.

Single scrollable window for Mac preferences and Windows settings

Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0 includes new Mac preferences (and Windows settings), and some v3.x
preferences and settings have been moved, renamed, or deleted. Preferences are now in a single,
scrollable window.
To scroll through the Mac Preferences or Windows Settings window, click on the scrollbar in the right
margin and drag the mouse up or down. Alternatively, you can use a scroll wheel on a mouse.

Changes in supporting Renderer windows and dialogs

Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0 includes various changes to supporting windows and dialogs in the
Renderer. These include new features, as well as changed UI text.
• In the Re-renders window, the template for creating a new re-render strip has changed.

Figure 3: New re-render template in the Renderer window

• The Audio to timecode alignment window (via Advanced Settings > Audio to Timecode
Alignment) now highlights your current configuration with an Active label, and provides additional
UI elements.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 7

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0

Figure 4: Audio to timecode alignment window

• The Room setup window provides separate controls for room, headphones, and re-renders. Each
control type is accessible via an icon.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 8

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Figure 5: Room setup window

• The default factory group for re-renders is now labeled All beds and objects. Previously, it was
labeled Full Mix.

New or updated keyboard shortcuts

Table 1: New shortcuts

Menu Mac keyboard shortcut Windows keyboard shortcut

Setup > Remote Clients Command + Option + T Control + Alt + T

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 9

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0

Table 2: Changed shortcuts

Menu Mac keyboard shortcut Windows keyboard shortcut

File > Export Audio > Re-renders Command + Shift + R Control + Shift + R

File > Export Audio > Audio Command + Shift + A Control + Shift + A
definition model Broadcast Wave
Format (BWF)

Support and compatibility updates

Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0 includes these support and compatibility updates:
• Support for using the Renderer on Apple silicon computers running a supported version of macOS
• Compatibility with Dolby Atmos plug-ins, which support Apple Silicon computers and newer DAW
versions.
These plug-ins are included in the Dolby Atmos Renderer v5.0 installer:
• Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in, v1.2
• Dolby Atmos Music Panner plug-in, v1.3
• Dolby LTC Generator plug-in, v2.1
Important: For workflows that use any of these plug-ins, Renderer v5.0 requires these
updated plug-ins. Renderer v5.0 does not support earlier versions of these plug-ins.

Note: For Dolby Atmos workflows using Dolby Atmos Music Panner plug-ins, you can
use the templates included with the Music Panner.

• Support for Dolby Atmos Renderer workstations

For setups with the Renderer software on a dedicated Dolby Atmos Renderer workstation and the
DAW on a different computer, the Dolby Atmos Renderer Installation and Configuration Guide now
includes detailed information on configuring a workstation. This includes workstations on
supported Mac or PC computers, with Dante I/O or MADI I/O connections.
• The Renderer installer package no longer includes DAW templates for Dolby Atmos workflows that
use DAW object panners.
Refer to your DAW installer or support resources for templates for these workflows.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 10

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

Previous releases
3
This version of Dolby Atmos Renderer includes features, improvements, and fixes included in previous
versions.

• New in version 3.7.3

• New in version 3.2
• New in version 3.0.1
• New in version 3.7
• New in version 3.5
• New in version 3.4
• New in version 3.7.3
• New in version 3.2
• New in version 3.2
• New in version 3.0.1

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 11

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

3.1 New in version 3.7.3

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7.3 includes fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer software to author content in
Dolby Atmos.

macOS Monterey 12.5.1 support

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7.3 is supported on Intel-based Macs running macOS Monterey 12.5.1. Renderer
v3.7.3 is compatible with macOS Monterey 12.5.1 on M1-based Macs (with Rosetta 2), although you may
experience performance issues as Rosetta 2 is a translation layer between the application and the ARM
processor. Before upgrading to Renderer v3.7.3 on an M1-based Mac, ensure that all required drivers for
audio input/output (I/O) and license authentication (iLok) are M1 compatible.

Fixed issues
• Fixed: On M1 computers, audio clicks or glitches could occur during Renderer monitoring or playback.
[PRAU-4532]
• Fixed: The Renderer could crash at launch when using the Avid HDX Core audio driver and Dolby Audio
Bridge audio input device at 96 kHz. [PRAU-4693]
• Fixed: Only an .atmosIR file that had the exact case usage of .atmos and IR could be imported. With
v3.7.3, the extension can be any case (such as .atmosir or .ATMOSIR). [PRAU-4619]

3.2 New in version 3.2

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.2 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer
software to author content in Dolby Atmos.
• Ability to open and export IMF immersive audio bitstream (IAB) .mxf files.
• Array mode (Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite):
• Enables Home Theater content to be created in rooms that have small speaker arrays. This mode can
be activated in the Room Setup window.
• Includes control of equalization (EQ), delays, and gains of arrays (when in Array mode)
• Downmix settings: The 5.1 downmix type is now contained within the master. It can be written using
Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite or read by both Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite and Dolby Atmos Production
Suite.
• Improvements to overall performance and central processing unit (CPU) usage.
• Smoother transitions between monitoring options.
• Headphone limiter: A limiter is applied to the headphone output. Limiting affects monitoring (at the
spatial coding output prior to rendering to speakers), and it is also applied to binaural re-renders.
• System settings automatically backed up when upgrading from previous versions of the Renderer.
Settings are backed up as an .atmoscfg file that is saved on your local drive.
• VR mode removed.
VR mode, VR panner plug-ins, and the VR transcoder have been removed from the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
• Playing back digital audio workstation (DAW) audio from the Speaker calibration window:
External signal fed into the Renderer can play back while applying gain, delay, or EQ in the Speaker
calibration window. In previous versions of the Renderer, external audio would be muted when the
Speaker calibration window was open.

3.3 New in version 3.0.1

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.0.1 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos
Renderer software to author content in Dolby Atmos.
• Ability to automatically number object descriptions sequentially (in the Input configuration dialog
Description column).

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 12

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in version 3.7

• In the Record in/out section, ability to use the Tab key to move the cursor between the In point and Out
point settings.
• Improved re-render naming when creating re-renders offline (with File > Export Re-renders).
Each mono .wav file is now named with the channel number and then the channel type at the end of the
file name (before .wav). This better prepares the files for importing into a DAW.
The naming convention for an exported re-render .wav file is <export_file_name>_<re-
render_name>_<channel_number>.<channel_type>.wav.
• Exported re-renders time-stamped in accordance with the BWF format standard.
Each re-render .wav file is time-stamped with the start time. This lets you import the files into a DAW and
have them appear in the correct position on the timeline.
• Ability to export re-renders as interleaved multichannel .wav files.
• Access to log information via the Open Logs Folder command in the Help menu.

3.4 New in version 3.7

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer
software to author content in Dolby Atmos.

macOS Big Sur 11.5 support

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7 is supported on Intel-based Macs running macOS Big Sur 11.5. Renderer v3.7 is
compatible with macOS Big Sur 11.5 on M1-based Macs (with Rosetta 2), although you may experience
performance issues as Rosetta 2 is a translation layer between the application and the ARM processor. Before
upgrading to Renderer v3.7 on an M1-based Mac, ensure that all required drivers for audio I/O and license
authentication (iLok) are M1 compatible.

Dolby Audio Bridge v2.0

Dolby Audio Bridge v2.0 automatically clocks to output hardware. This eliminates the workaround of using
an aggregate device to ensure proper clocking.
This new version of the Dolby Audio Bridge virtual driver is included in the Renderer installer package, and
should be selected when doing the installation. v2.0 overwrites the version of the bridge included with
earlier versions of the Renderer. Aggregate devices created with Dolby Audio Bridge v1.0 will no longer be
active.
Installation of Dolby Audio Bridge v2.0 does not require a restart of the computer.
Note: Installation of v2.0 automatically deletes Dolby Audio Bridge v1.0 from your computer.

Important: If you install an older version of the Renderer, do not install the Dolby Audio Bridge v1.0
(no icon) included with the older installer package. Dolby Audio Bridge v2.0 (with icon as shown)
should be the only bridge on your system. v2.0 of the bridge will work with Renderer v3.5 and earlier,
except that aggregate devices are still required for certain workflows.

Support for Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in v1.1 in multiple plug-in formats
Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in v1.1 for Mac is now included in the installer as an optional install, in
these formats:
• Avid Audio eXtension (AAX)
• Apple Audio Units (AU)
• Virtual Studio Technology (VST3)
Installation includes Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in documentation.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 13

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

Important: For workflows that use the Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in, Renderer v3.7 requires
Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in v1.1. Renderer v3.7 does not support Dolby Atmos Binaural
Settings plug-in v1.0.0 and earlier.

UI update: The Binaural Settings plug-in now indicates unassigned objects, via a yellow outline.

MTC support removed

The Renderer no longer supports MTC (MIDI Time Code). We recommend using linear timecode (LTC) over
audio for all workflows that require synchronization. See Support for Dolby LTC Generator v2.0 in multiple
plug-in formats .

Support for Dolby LTC Generator v2.0 in multiple plug-in formats

Dolby LTC Generator plug-in v2.0 is required for synchronizing the Renderer to LTC over audio from a DAW on
a system using the Dolby Audio Bridge.
Dolby LTC Generator v2.0 for Mac is now included in the installer as an optional install, in these formats:
• Avid Audio eXtension (AAX)
• Apple Audio Units (AU)
• Virtual Studio Technology (VST3)
The AAX version of Dolby LTC Generator plug-in v2.0 is contained in Pro Tools templates included with this
installer.
Important: Older Pro Tools templates containing Dolby LTC Generator plug-in v1.0 must be manually
updated to use v2.0 of the plug-in.

Note: Nuendo and Resolve have timecode generators. The Nuendo templates provided by Dolby
include a track with a Steinberg SMPTEGenerator plug-in inserted on it.

Depending on the DAW or plug-in format, the plug-in displays synchronization information or provides
controls for synchronization settings.
For DAWs such as Pro Tools and Nuendo, which have a configurable frame rate and start time, the plug-in
window provides synchronization information. For DAWs such as Ableton Live and Logic, which do not have a
configurable frame rate and start time, the plug-in window provides synchronization controls.
Frame rate drop-down menu or display
This is the frame rate of the DAW, which should match the frame rate of the Renderer. For a DAW that
does not have a configurable frame rate, set the frame rate in the plug-in window. For a DAW that has a
configurable frame rate, the plug-in displays the frame rate set in the DAW. For example, in Pro Tools, this
is the Timecode Rate, which is set when you create the session, or can be set in the Pro Tools Session
Setup window.
Start time field or display
This is the start time of the timeline. For a DAW that does not have a configurable start time, set the start
time in the plug-in window. For a DAW that has a configurable start time, the plug-in displays the start
time set in the DAW. For example, in Pro Tools, this is the Session Start, which is set in the Pro Tools
Session Setup window.
Output display
This is the timecode position that the Dolby LTC Generator plug-in outputs. The position will be in sync
with the DAW transport timecode values.

New DAW templates and presets configured and ready for Dolby Atmos authoring
The Renderer v3.7 installer includes new or updated DAW templates and presets.
• New templates: Nuendo 10.3, and Nuendo 11
• New presets: Resolve Studio 17 Fairlight

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 14

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in version 3.7

• Updated templates: Pro Tools and Nuendo 10

Note: Before using a Nuendo template or Resolve preset provided by Dolby, refer to information
regarding using the template or preset.

Pro Tools session templates using the Dolby Audio Bridge now include one track with a Dolby LTC Generator
plug-in inserted on it (whether or not LTC is used from the plug-in or from external hardware.). The I/O
settings file is configured to route the LTC over audio signal to the Renderer for synchronization on channel
129.
Note: Ensure that you install the LTC Generator plug-in, so that it is available for use with the
template. The plug-in is included in the Renderer installer.

Warning: Ensure that the signal from the Dolby LTC Generator is not output to a speaker.

Frame rate improvements

The default frame rate for the Renderer has changed to 24 fps.

Multiplexing audio and video when exporting a master to MP4

When exporting a master to MP4, you can add a custom video file, include black video (Renderer v3.5 and
earlier behavior), or create an MP4 file without any video.
The Export master to .mp4 window now includes a Video section, with these options:
Black video
This option creates black video to match the length of the audio encode. This is the behavior of Renderer
v3.5 and earlier.
No video
This option creates an audio only mp4. Use this option for audio only playback devices that do not
require black video.
Custom video
Use this option to embed a custom video stream in the output .mp4. The custom video input must be an
mp4 with an h264 video elementary stream.
To ensure playback sync, ensure that the video start corresponds to the audio start or In point.
Note: If the audio and video have different lengths, a warning displays to tell you that the file will
be conformed to the longer of the two files.

When you choose Custom video, a Video file field displays. You can manually enter the file path for the
video here, or you can click the Browse button, and then locate and select the file. If no file path is
specified, the file will be exported with black video.

Bass management object mode removed from the Preferences window

The Renderer now provides one bass management mode (speaker).
If you import system settings created with Renderer v3.5 and earlier, which had object selected as the bass
management mode, the preferences updates to speaker internally, and uses the frequency that was saved
with the object mode.

New shortcuts for muting speakers in the room configuration display

The Renderer main window now supports more shortcut options for muting (and unmuting) the monitor
output level of one or more speakers in the room.
• To mute one speaker only, click on a speaker icon.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 15

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

Note: In earlier versions of the Renderer, this shortcut was used to mute and unmute multiple
speakers.

• To unmute a speaker and mute all other speakers, Command-click on a speaker icon.
• To mute multiple speakers in a selected area, click-drag over one or more speaker icons.
Note: In earlier versions of the Renderer, this shortcut was used to mute and unmute multiple
speakers.

• To mute all speakers, Command-click an empty area in the room configuration.

• To unmute all speaker in a selected area (drag rectangle), and mute all other speakers, Command + click-
drag over one or more speaker icons.
• To unmute all speakers, click an empty area in the room configuration.
• To toggle the mute state of a speaker, Command + Shift-click on a speaker.
• To toggle the mute state of all speakers in a selected area (drag rectangle), Command + Shift-drag over
one or more speaker icons.

Status section and Input/Master mode settings

In the bottom left of the main window, the Renderer provides status information when settings in the Input
and Master do not match. The section provides status information for these settings: input configuration,
Binaural Render mode, and trim and downmix controls.
When settings in the input differ from the settings in the currently opened master, the settings name and an
orange light display in the bottom left of the main window. When the settings match, no status is provided.

Updates for working with Input and Master mode settings

The Input configuration, Binaural Render mode, and Trim and downmix controls windows have been
updated to support displaying input and master settings, manually changing the settings, or copying settings
from the master to the input, or vice versa.
With these changes, it is now possible to play a master that has a different input configuration than what you
are monitoring live. The master no longer controls the input configuration and will no longer mute objects
that are being monitored but are not defined, or are defined differently, in the master.
UI changes include:
• All three windows have Input and Master tabs, to view and compare the settings in the input and in the
master.
• Input settings are always editable, either from within the Renderer or a connected client (such as the
Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in).
• Input and Master pages include two copy settings buttons, to copy settings from the input to the master,
or from the master to the input. These buttons are available when the settings for the input and master
do not match, and when applicable.
When the buttons are inactive, you can hover over the button for an explanation.
An application reinitialization occurs when switching between the Input and Master in the main window
UI if there is a difference in input and master input configuration settings.
Note: You cannot update the channel layout (order and descriptions of beds and objects) of an
existing master file.

Downmix 5.1 and 5.1.x label

The 5.1 downmix label in the Trim and downmix window has been updated to 5.1 and 5.1.x downmix to
better clarify that the settings also apply to 5.1.x.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 16

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in version 3.5

Override master downmix control for monitoring and re-renders

By default, the settings shown in the Input page of the Trim and downmix controls window are used when
monitoring the live input, and the settings in the Master page are used when playing back a currently opened
master.
You can monitor a master and produce re-renders with downmix settings that differ from the settings in the
master by using the Override master downmix option (which is in the Trim and downmix controls window,
Master page).
After you enable the option, select the 5.1 and 5.1.x downmix and 5.1 to 2.0 downmix settings that you want
to use for monitoring and re-renders.
Note: The Override master downmix option is not persistent. When you close the Renderer, it
defaults back to off.

Custom group and re-render names no longer case sensitive

Custom group and re-render names are no longer case sensitive. This means that you cannot have two
groups (or re-renders) named with the same characters, but different capitalization. For example, you cannot
have SYNTHPADS and SynthPads at the same time.
When importing a group or re-render name that has the same characters as the name in the Renderer, but
different capitalization, the Renderer uses the imported name.
• The Renderer uses the capitalization of an imported name when importing system settings (.atmoscfg)
or configurations for Renderer input, Binaural Render mode, and re-renders (.atmosIR, or
older .rmuio) file). For example, if the Renderer has a custom group named SYNTHPADS, and you
import a configuration that has a custom group named SynthPads, the custom group name will update
to SynthPads.
• The Renderer uses the capitalization of the Renderer default group name if you import an older master
with a custom group name that is the same, except the capitalization differs.

3.5 New in version 3.5

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.5 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer
software to author content in Dolby Atmos.

Operation improvements
• Improved binaural renderer with increased spatial resolution.
• Standard group names for configuring input and re-renders, based on postproduction standard stem
names: Dialog, Music, Effects, and Narration.
These groups are available here:
• Input configuration window, in the Group drop-down selector
• Custom list of groups, in the Re-render properties window
Note: You can still add custom groups.

• Standard groups can be shown in the objects view.

1. Click the small box icon drop-down menu in the top-right corner of the objects view to reveal the View
and Show options.
2. In the Show section, click (highlight) Standard groups.
• MP4 export in film encoding mode now supports two different bit rates to provide parity with various
streaming platforms during QC:
• 768 kbps: This is the same bit rate as the music encoding mode.
• 448 kbps: This is the bit rate that was used for film in previous versions of the Renderer.
These bit rates are selectable via a drop-down menu in the Export master to .mp4 window.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 17

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

• Option to export re-renders as multi-mono files without channel numbers in the file names. This is useful
when importing re-renders into an application that groups multi-mono files by matching file names.
• Dolby Atmos .atmos masters created with v3.5 no longer include a .dbmd file. Older masters with
a .dbmd file are supported and can be imported for playback or editing. The .dbmd file is no longer
necessary for Dolby Atmos files to play correctly and will be removed from older files on unlocking.
• Loudness measurements reset automatically when a master is closed.
• Binaural re-renders now have BIN appended to the file name, and they can be exported as both multi-
mono and interleaved files.
• The default number of elements (spatial coding clusters) is now 14 instead of 12.

Input configuration and Binaural Render mode settings improvements

• Support for the Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in.
This plug-in provides remote control of Renderer settings (Binaural Render mode and input
configuration) from a DAW session.
When the plug-in is connected to the Renderer, you can use the plug-in to modify input configuration and
Binaural Render mode settings in these Dolby Atmos workflows:
• Monitoring a mix
• Writing plug-in settings to a new master
• Copying Binaural Render mode settings from the plug-in to the master
• Copying groups from the plug-in to the master
Alternatively, you can change all plug-in settings by importing a preset using your DAW plug-in controls,
or by copying settings from a Renderer master.
• New workflows for displaying or changing input configuration and Binaural Render mode settings.
The Input configuration and Binaural Render mode windows now have Input and Master tabs to open
pages where you can edit settings on the input to the Renderer or settings in opened and unlocked
master files, respectively. Settings in the input, or an open and unlocked master, can be edited locally, or
via the Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in. Changes made in the plug-in can then be transferred to an
open and unlocked master.
A new master will always use the input settings. When an existing master is opened, the input settings are
unavailable until the master file is closed. Settings made in the input are temporarily hidden when you
open a master, but they are available again when you close the master.
• The File menu for exporting input configurations, Binaural Render mode, and re-render configurations
indicates that, if you have a master loaded, you will be exporting the settings contained within that
master. With no master loaded, you will be exporting the settings currently in the Renderer.
When a master is opened, the Export Input/Binaural/Re-render Config file menu automatically changes
to Export Master Input/Binaural/Re-render Config.
To export the configurations for a master, choose File > Export Master Input/Binaural/Re-render
Config.

Renderer window and other UI updates

• General look of UI improved, including the addition of the new Dolby logo.
• New Dolby Atmos Renderer application icon.
• The ability to expand or collapse object view (the virtual 3D room) is now toggled from inside the object
view frame, using the expand/collapse icon.
Previously, you would use the All and Objects view control buttons. These buttons have been removed
from the Renderer window.
• Status and error message section and the CPU section have been moved to the bottom of the main UI.
The new bottom section also includes a connection status (for external remote controller clients) section.
• Input and Master buttons in the Source section are now located left and right for better display and
accessibility.
• Network information preferences renamed to Remote clients and now provides more information.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 18

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in version 3.5

The upper part of this preferences page displays Renderer Internet Protocol address (IP address)es. Use
any of these addresses to connect a Dolby Atmos Renderer Remote application or remote controller client
(such as the Dolby Atmos Binaural Settings plug-in) to the Renderer.
Below the addresses, the page displays Renderer Remote applications that are connected to the
Renderer, and then a table that lists any connected remote controller clients.
For remote controller clients, this information is provided: Client type, IP Address, User description,
and Controlling (which lists the settings and channels, if applicable, which the client is controlling).
• Direct Render with Warp downmix option renamed to the more descriptive Direct Render with room
balance.
The downmix algorithm has not been changed. This option is available in the 5.1 downmix in master
and 5.1 downmix monitoring/re-renderers drop-down menus, located in the Trim and downmix
controls window.
• 5.1 trim controls renamed to 5.1 and 2.0, as adjusting these settings affects both the 5.1 and stereo
downmixes.
• Stereo direct removed from monitoring options in the Trim and downmix controls window.

New keyboard shortcuts

Table 3: File menu shortcuts

Menu Mac keyboard shortcut Windows keyboard shortcut

Import Input/Binaural/Re-render Option + Shift + I Alt + Shift + I

Config

Export Input/Binaural/Re-render Option + Shift + E Ctrl + Shift + E

Config (or Export Master Input/
Binaural/Re-render Config)

Table 4: System menu shortcuts

Menu Mac keyboard shortcut Windows keyboard shortcut

Import Settings Option + Cmd + I Alt + Ctrl + I

Export Settings Option + Cmd + E Alt + Ctrl + E

Table 5: Renderer window shortcuts

Menu Mac keyboard shortcut Windows keyboard shortcut

Input/master toggle Shift + I Shift + I

Record arm/disarm Shift + R Shift + R

External sync engage/disengage Shift + J Shift + J

Dim Shift + D Shift + D

Mute all Shift + M Shift + M

Attenuation change by +1 dB Shift + Up Arrow Shift + Up Arrow

Attenuation change by -1 dB Shift + Down Arrow Shift + Down Arrow

Reset attenuation to 0 dB Cmd + Shift + U Shift + Ctrl + U

Reset loudness Shift + L Shift + L

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 19

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

3.6 New in version 3.4

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.4 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer
software to author content in Dolby Atmos.

Real-time loudness when monitoring a Dolby Atmos mix

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

Loudness meters, controls, and measurements in the main window

When the Loudness measurement preference is on (as set in the Loudness preferences), the main window
includes loudness meters, controls, and measurement information. By default, the preference is on.

Measuring the loudness of a master offline

You can measure the loudness of a master or section of a master offline. After measuring the loudness, you
can then export the loudness measurements for Dolby Atmos or Stereo/Binaural as a timeline (.csv file) or
summary (.txt file).

Considerations when measuring loudness

• Ensure that downmix settings in the master are the same as the monitoring settings: Loudness settings
are affected by the downmix monitoring settings in the Trim and downmix control window. To ensure
that the settings measured are those written in the master, click the link icons for 5.1 downmix
monitoring/re-renders and 5.1 to stereo downmix monitoring/re-renders so that the monitoring
settings match the respective downmix in master settings, and then do the loudness measurement.
• Differences between real time and offline rendering: There can be slight differences between real time
and offline loudness measurements due to buffering and speech percentage calculations. The offline
calculations are always more accurate.

New re-render options: 5.1.2, 7.1.4, and Loudness

The re-render output matrix includes three new layouts: 5.1.2, 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.
Use the Loudness layout (which is a 5.1 layout) for loudness measurements. For example, run the loudness
re-render into the DAW if 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 includes an option for turning on output limiting.
When the Output limiting option is on, the Renderer applies 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 can change the group assignment for any bed.

Display of object numbers or binaural distance model settings of objects in objects

view
In the objects view, you can display numbers for each object or the binaural distance model settings (off,
near, mid, and far) for each input object.
Note: The binaural distance model settings are defined in the Binaural Render mode window.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 20

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in version 3.7.3

Aligning timecode to audio

You can add offset to timecode (in samples) to better align timecode to audio if routing timecode through a
different A/D converter to your audio. You access these controls via the new Advanced Settings menu and
Audio to Timecode Alignment submenu.

LTC Generator plug-in, for sending LTC over audio from Pro Tools to the Renderer
The Renderer installer now includes the Dolby LTC Generator plug-in, which is used for sending LTC over
audio from Pro Tools to the Renderer on systems using the Dolby Audio Bridge. (With Renderer v3.7 and later,
version 2.0 of the plug-in is included in Pro Tools templates.)

Trims and downmix controls included with the Production Suite

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).
Use the trims and downmix controls for:
• Writing downmix metadata in a master
• Writing trim metadata in a master

Additional improvements and changes

• The 5.1 and stereo downmix type written to the master in downmix settings, as well as the trims settings
are now included in the MP4 export.
This means that the MP4 export can be used to monitor the mix on a Dolby Atmos enabled system, or a
5.1 or stereo system.
• Descriptions for beds and objects (as defined in the Input configuration window) are now also shown in
the Binaural Render mode window.
• In the Binaural Render mode window, Backwards Compatibility mode settings have been removed.
You can now always write metadata for beds and objects in this window.
• A limiter in the Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) with a -10 dB threshold has been removed.
Note: When calibrating your room, the LFE should still be calibrated at +10 dB in accordance with
standard 5.1 and Dolby Atmos requirements.

3.7 New in version 3.7.3

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7.3 includes fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer software to author content in
Dolby Atmos.

macOS Monterey 12.5.1 support

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7.3 is supported on Intel-based Macs running macOS Monterey 12.5.1. Renderer
v3.7.3 is compatible with macOS Monterey 12.5.1 on M1-based Macs (with Rosetta 2), although you may
experience performance issues as Rosetta 2 is a translation layer between the application and the ARM
processor. Before upgrading to Renderer v3.7.3 on an M1-based Mac, ensure that all required drivers for
audio I/O and license authentication (iLok) are M1 compatible.

Fixed issues
• Fixed: On M1 computers, audio clicks or glitches could occur during Renderer monitoring or playback.
[PRAU-4532]
• Fixed: The Renderer could crash at launch when using the Avid HDX Core audio driver and Dolby Audio
Bridge audio input device at 96 kHz. [PRAU-4693]
• Fixed: Only an .atmosIR file that had the exact case usage of .atmos and IR could be imported. With
v3.7.3, the extension can be any case (such as .atmosir or .ATMOSIR). [PRAU-4619]

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 21

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Previous releases

3.8 New in version 3.2

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.2 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer
software to author content in Dolby Atmos.
• Ability to open and export IMF IAB .mxf files.
• Array mode (Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite):
• Enables Home Theater content to be created in rooms that have small speaker arrays. This mode can
be activated in the Room Setup window.
• Includes control of EQ, delays, and gains of arrays (when in Array mode)
• Downmix settings: The 5.1 downmix type is now contained within the master. It can be written using
Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite or read by both Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite and Dolby Atmos Production
Suite.
• Improvements to overall performance and CPU usage.
• Smoother transitions between monitoring options.
• Headphone limiter: A limiter is applied to the headphone output. Limiting affects monitoring (at the
spatial coding output prior to rendering to speakers), and it is also applied to binaural re-renders.
• System settings automatically backed up when upgrading from previous versions of the Renderer.
Settings are backed up as an .atmoscfg file that is saved on your local drive.
• VR mode removed.
VR mode, VR panner plug-ins, and the VR transcoder have been removed from the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
• Playing back DAW audio from the Speaker calibration window:
External signal fed into the Renderer can play back while applying gain, delay, or EQ in the Speaker
calibration window. In previous versions of the Renderer, external audio would be muted when the
Speaker calibration window was open.

3.9 New in version 3.2

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.2 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos Renderer
software to author content in Dolby Atmos.
• Ability to open and export IMF IAB .mxf files.
• Array mode (Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite):
• Enables Home Theater content to be created in rooms that have small speaker arrays. This mode can
be activated in the Room Setup window.
• Includes control of EQ, delays, and gains of arrays (when in Array mode)
• Downmix settings: The 5.1 downmix type is now contained within the master. It can be written using
Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite or read by both Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite and Dolby Atmos Production
Suite.
• Improvements to overall performance and CPU usage.
• Smoother transitions between monitoring options.
• Headphone limiter: A limiter is applied to the headphone output. Limiting affects monitoring (at the
spatial coding output prior to rendering to speakers), and it is also applied to binaural re-renders.
• System settings automatically backed up when upgrading from previous versions of the Renderer.
Settings are backed up as an .atmoscfg file that is saved on your local drive.
• VR mode removed.
VR mode, VR panner plug-ins, and the VR transcoder have been removed from the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
• Playing back DAW audio from the Speaker calibration window:
External signal fed into the Renderer can play back while applying gain, delay, or EQ in the Speaker
calibration window. In previous versions of the Renderer, external audio would be muted when the
Speaker calibration window was open.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 22

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 New in version 3.0.1

3.10 New in version 3.0.1

Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.0.1 includes new features, improvements, and fixes for using Dolby Atmos
Renderer software to author content in Dolby Atmos.
• Ability to automatically number object descriptions sequentially (in the Input configuration dialog
Description column).
• In the Record in/out section, ability to use the Tab key to move the cursor between the In point and Out
point settings.
• Improved re-render naming when creating re-renders offline (with File > Export Re-renders).
Each mono .wav file is now named with the channel number and then the channel type at the end of the
file name (before .wav). This better prepares the files for importing into a DAW.
The naming convention for an exported re-render .wav file is <export_file_name>_<re-
render_name>_<channel_number>.<channel_type>.wav.
• Exported re-renders time-stamped in accordance with the BWF format standard.
Each re-render .wav file is time-stamped with the start time. This lets you import the files into a DAW and
have them appear in the correct position on the timeline.
• Ability to export re-renders as interleaved multichannel .wav files.
• Access to log information via the Open Logs Folder command in the Help menu.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 23

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Known issues

Known issues
4
This release has some known issues, for which we provide workarounds, comments, and solutions.

Installation and configuration

• If you install Dolby Atmos Renderer on Windows while a previous version of the Renderer is open,
the previous version remains open during installation, and becomes unusable after the new
installation is complete. As a workaround, close the older version before the installation, or close
the older version after installation, and then restart the Renderer. [PRAU-2681]
• The Focusrite RedNet PCIeR card driver will not be functional after a Core Audio reset triggered by a
Dolby Audio Bridge installation. As a workaround, restart the computer. [PRAU-4163]
• Older versions of the Dolby Atmos Renderer Remote application will not connect to newer versions
of the Dolby Atmos Renderer. Install both the Renderer and Remote applications from the same
installer. [DACT-8989]
• When using Remote Desktop to manage installation of the Renderer on a Mac Renderer
workstation, the Dolby Audio Bridge will not successfully install on the workstation. As a
workaround, install the Dolby Audio Bridge directly on the workstation. [DACT-7721]
• The Dolby Atmos Panner plug-in was removed from the Dolby Atmos Renderer installer with v3.4
and is not supported with Renderer v3.4 and later running on macOS Catalina. As a workaround,
use the object panners included with Pro Tools, or the Dolby Atmos Music Panner (available from
Dolby). Alternatively, you can use the Dolby Atmos Panner included with Renderer v3.3 and earlier
on supported versions of macOS Mojave and High Sierra. [PRAU-1200]
• Uninstalling the Renderer while it is running can result in the Renderer application still being open.
After you close the application, it will be gone from your system. [PRAU-3325]
• In the Speaker calibration window, in the Array EQ page, the signal generator Rotate and Rotate
and Snap options are not grayed out. These options can be ignored in this mode. [PRAU-4789]
• In the Speaker calibration window, if a gain or delay value is changed by entering a number in the
field and then pressing the Return key, the Up/Down arrows in that field, as well as the Command +
Up/Down arrows keyboard shortcut, no longer function in that field. [PRAU-2435]

Playing back, recording, or exporting audio

• If the Core Audio input device or Core Audio output device is set to None, or if the field is empty,
when Core Audio is the active audio driver for the Renderer, an Audio driver error message
displays and the Renderer is not fully operational. Set the devices to available choices other than
None to make the Renderer fully operational. [PRAU-58]
• An Audio driver error warning may display when using aggregate devices as I/O devices and
interacting with other applications that use Core Audio, or when opening the Audio MIDI Setup*
application in Ventura. [PRAU-5111]
• Connecting an audio device to your system while the Renderer is running may change the device
audio settings in your system. This can result in audio drops due to an invalid system setup, and
produce a log error (ERROR RendererExecutive audio device processor
overload). If this occurs, check the settings for the Audio driver Configuration in the Renderer
and the Mac Audio MIDI Setup. If the settings are not correct, update them. [DACT-6280]
• Connecting or disconnecting headphones while the Renderer is running and using the Core Audio
built-in output causes an audio driver error. This occurs because the macOS system changes the
device audio configuration. As a workaround, reinitialize the Renderer to reconfigure the Core
audio driver. For example, choose Dolby Atmos Renderer > Preferences, and then click Accept.
[DACT-7902]

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 24

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 • If an object is reassigned when signal is present, the signal may appear present in the previous
object. As a workaround, do not reassign objects while playing audio. [PRAU-1016]
• When the Renderer and DAW frame rate do not match, a warning message does not appear when
External sync source is set to Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO). As a workaround, manually check
that the workflow is performing correctly. [PRAU-2822]
• When in Array mode, the output meters in the main Renderer window are post B-chain gain and EQ.
[PRAU-141]
• Playing back a master file from an external optical drive can result in undesired artifacts or glitches
when monitoring. As a workaround, open the master file from a fast SSD drive or from the internal
drive of the Renderer machine. [PRAU-150]
• If master file content is present at the offset start time, playback without preroll may result in the
loss of the first buffer. To avoid this, always start playback with at least one frame of preroll. For
optimum performance, We recommend preroll and postroll of greater than two frames for playback
and recording. [PRAU-149]
• Recording a master file over a network hard disk drive (HDD) is not supported. The recording
process will be stopped due to disk underruns produced by low transfer rates. [PRAU-67]
• External SSD hard drives formatted to the ExFAT format cannot be used for recording master files in
Windows computers. [PRAU-4867]
• Recording is blocked when importing an input/binaural/re-renders configuration that contains
unassigned inputs and non-default Binaural Render mode settings, or when an object with non-
default Binaural Render mode settings is disabled and the master file is already created.
As a workaround, lock and unlock the master file, or go to the Binaural Render mode window and
match the input and master Binaural Render mode settings (by pressing the Default button in the
Input page, and then clicking the Copy master to input button in the window). [PRAU-4831]
• When two machines are connected to the Renderer and the Renderer is recording audio and
metadata from a Pro Tools session on the first machine, opening a Dolby Atmos Pro Tools session
on the second machine that has object panners enabled on object IDs that are being recorded to by
the Renderer will send metadata to the Renderer and overwrite metadata in the session on the first
machine. This can produce unwanted recorded data.[PRAU-109]
• The Renderer can intermittently stop recording when using an Apple M1 computer with the RME
MADIface XT USB 3.0 device. This primarily occurs with large sessions with lots of metadata.
[PRAU-3174]
• A warning dialog that the selected directory is a read-only directory displays in the Renderer
Remote application when trying to create or export a new master file into a Windows user path. As a
workaround, browse to the desired folder and use the Create new folder button, which allows you
to work in the folder. [PRAU-1049]
• The oversampling functionality in some plug-ins can cause timecode discontinuities in the Dolby
LTC Generator plug-in. This can result in the Renderer dropping out of record. [PRAU-1240]
• When working with Pro Tools at a frame rate higher than 30 fps, the Dolby LTC Generator plug-in
functions at a maximum of 30 fps. [EUROPA-1975]
• Before beginning the workflow to record a master using set in and out points, ensure that the DAW
session is open. If you set up the Renderer for recording, and then open a DAW session that has an
input configuration conflict with the Renderer, the Renderer will disarm the master when the in
point is reached and not provide any warning that this has occurred. [PRAU-74]
• Pro Tools offline bounce is not supported with the Dolby Atmos Renderer. Attempting an offline
bounce on Pro Tools HDX systems can cause a crash. Attempting an offline bounce on a Pro Tools
native system can cause significant metadata loss. [DACT-6053], [DACT-5743]
• If a Pro Tools session with VR panners is opened, VR panner headTrackMode metadata is kept and
recorded to the master files until the Renderer is closed [PRAU-4787]
• For setups using Pro Tools, repeated audio buffers can occur at the Renderer monitoring outputs if
Pro Tools is playing audio and then closed during playback. [PRAU-4810]
• The Pro Tools scrubber tool is not supported when monitoring a Dolby Atmos master file. [PRAU-96]
• On Apple computers, audio device underruns and overflows can happen when using certain
computer monitors or hubs over HDMI. [PRAU-4837]

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 25

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Known issues

• Pro Tools aggregate and built-in output audio devices can intermittently, and without warning,
change the sampling rate to 44.1 kHz (typically, after a CPU overload). This sample-rate change
causes rendered audio to be jittery. As a workaround, open the Mac Audio MIDI Setup application
and select the 48 kHz sample rate. If 48 kHz is already selected, unselect it, and then reselect it.
[DACT-5484]
• With some content, measuring loudness multiple times may yield results where a respective
measurement differs by +/- 0.1. This may also be seen by measuring the same content in the Dolby
Atmos Renderer. This is an expected rounding error. [PRAU-4305]
• When the Renderer input configuration is modified, and this results in a panner object assignment
in the open DAW session now pointing to a bed input channel, the Renderer displays an error
message. With v3.7 and later, there is no longer an error message. [PRAU-2450]
• When 5.1 and 7.1 or 7.1.2 beds are used in the same input configuration, the Binaural Render mode
settings in the Ls and Rs channels of a 5.1 bed and the Lrs/Rrs and Lss/Rss channels of any 7.1 and
7.1.2 beds can affect each other, with one of the settings overwriting the other. As a workaround, do
not use 5.1 beds and 7.1 or 7.1.2 beds in the same input configuration. [PRAU-1971]
• Zone masking metadata is disabled when spatial coding emulation and snap metadata are active at
the same time. [PRAU-2653]
• When monitoring in stereo (2.0) with spatial coding emulation disabled, trim and downmix settings
are not applied. [PRAU-3685]
• When the 5.1 downmix is set to Standard (Left only/Right only (Lo/Ro)) or Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and
spatial coding emulation is off, object size is not applied. [PRAU-85]
• When the hard drive used to export audio does not have enough space, the export will complete
with an Export successful message even though the exported audio will be incomplete and cannot
be used. [PRAU-86]

Master files, re-renders, and other files

• An .atmos master file set that has naming differences between the .atmos, .audio,
and .metadata files will be corrupted on editing. [PRAU-114]
• If the MP4 master file name has two or more successive commas (for example “,,,”), it will produce
an export error. As a workaround, do not use successive commas in a file name. [PRAU-1147]
• In Windows, exporting a master as an MP4 may fail if the master file name has special characters. As
a workaround, remove any special characters in the File name field in the Export master to .MP4
window before exporting the master. [PRAU-3916]
• The Renderer cannot export to MP4 an imported ADM master file exported from Nuendo where the
7.1.2 bed is placed after the objects in the Nuendo ADM Authoring for Dolby Atmos window.
[PRAU-4351]
• An imported cinema .mxf master cannot be exported as an MP4 master file. [PRAU-3600]
• If you create a file in Windows that starts with a period, and then try to use it on Mac, the file will be
hidden.
• When exporting re-renders to an external drive, if the drive is unplugged during the export, the
export will continue and report a successful operation even if the re-renders were not successfully
written to the drive. As a workaround, do not unplug the destination drive when exporting re-
renders. [PRAU-153]
• AmbiX re-renders do not export as multiple-mono files. As a workaround, export these as
interleaved, and then use third-party software to separate the files. [PRAU-1956]
• Attempting to use a read-only directory to export re-renders, export an audio definition model
BWF .wav file, or create a new master does not provide a descriptive error to the Dolby Atmos
Renderer Remote application. Instead, the error simply notes that the file was not written. As a
workaround, choose a destination directory that is not read only. [PRAU-65]

Renderer launch and connections

• A Fatal error: 100001 message appears when launching the Renderer after running out of space on
a hard drive in Apple M2 computers with Ventura 13.2. [PRAU-5316]
• When localhost is used as the IP address to connect to a Renderer, a double colon (::) displays in
the Remote clients window. As a workaround, use a valid IP address. [PRAU-61]

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 26

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 • If the Dolby Atmos Renderer Remote application is launched before the Dolby Atmos Renderer, the
remote will not autoconnect to the Renderer. As a workaround, connect the Renderer Remote to the
Renderer workstation using the IP address drop-down menu, or launch the Remote after launching
the Renderer. [DACT-8012], [PRAU-142]
• The Renderer can hang at launch after upgrading to Catalina 10.15.6 if the iLok with the Renderer
asset is plugged in a powered Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub. As a workaround, unplug the iLok and
reconnect it, and then relaunch the Renderer. [PRAU-1998]
• In Windows, the Renderer will fail to initialize if you open the Renderer with a previously loaded
master from an encrypted drive that has not been unlocked. As a workaround, make sure the drive
has been unlocked before launching the Renderer. Alternatively, close the master before closing the
Renderer to avoid reloading the master upon launch. [DACT-8099]
• The Renderer can disconnect from the DAW with sessions that use the Dolby Atmos Music Panner
and have high channel counts and excessive Dolby Atmos metadata. [PRAU-980], [PRAU-998]
• The macOS Security & Privacy permissions for folders and disks may block the Renderer Remote
application browser the first time you select a folder or a master file in an internal or external HDD.
To fix this issue, update your permissions: Navigate to Apple System Preferences, open Security &
Privacy, click on Files and Folders, and allow access to the Renderer and Renderer Remote
application volumes and folders. [PRAU-5325]
• For an Apple computer running Big Sur, it is possible for the native macOS file browser to not
respond accurately to a mouse pointer selection. This is a known Big Sur issue. As a workaround,
press Escape, and then relaunch the browser. [PRAU-3695]
• Communication issues between Pro Tools and the Renderer may occur on Mac Pro 6,1 and other
older Apple computers running macOS Big Sur. These issues are more likely to occur with sessions
that have lots of metadata. [PRAU-2702]
• In Pro Tools 2020.12 and 2021.3, connecting to the Rendering and Mastering Unit (RMU) Host in the
Peripherals window by typing the Renderer IP address limits the Dolby Audio Bridge to 32 channels.
[PRAU-2732]
• For setups with Pro Tools 2019.12 with the LTC Generator plug-in, the plug-in will not work until you
manually set the frame rate in Pro Tools. [PRAU-1801]
• A Dolby Atmos .atmosIR configuration file with special characters in the file name may cause
errors on import. As a workaround, do not use special characters with an .atmosIR configuration
file. [PRAU-736]
• Resetting the Renderer to the factory default does not reset the loudness UI. As a workaround, click
the loudness reset button, perform a factory reset, and then restart the Renderer. [PRAU-1127]

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 27

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Glossary

Glossary
AAX
Avid Audio eXtension. A plug-in format for Avid Pro Tools.

ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

ASIO
Audio Stream Input/Output. A soundcard driver protocol from Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH that
allows musicians and sound engineers to access PC soundcards directly without going through Microsoft
Windows.

audio definition model

A metadata model specified in ITU-R BS.2076 that describes the content and format of audio files.

audio driver
A software system that processes audio input signals by transforming them into a format that audio
devices, such as speakers and headphones, can output.

BWF
Broadcast Wave Format. An extension of the Microsoft Waveform Audio File Format (.wav) that includes
metadata important to broadcast applications. This format is specified in EBU Tech 3285.

B‑format
A speaker-independent representation of a soundfield.

CPU
Central processing unit.

DAW
Digital audio workstation. An electronic device or computer software application used to record, edit,
and produce audio files.

DCP
Digital Cinema Package. A packing list (PKL) file and all of the files that it references.

Dolby RMU
Dolby Rendering and Mastering Unit.

downmix
Process of producing a device-specific output mix when the number of process channels is greater than
the number of output speakers on the device.

DSP
Digital signal processor. A specialized microprocessor optimized for digital signal processing.

EQ
Equalization. The adjustment of audio frequency responses for practical or aesthetic reasons.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 28

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Glossary

frame
In audio, a series of PCM samples or encoded audio data representing the same time interval for all
channels in the configuration. Metadata pertaining to the frame can be carried within the frame or
separately, depending on context.

frame rate
The number of frames decoded per second in real-time operation.

HD
High definition.

HTML
HyperText Markup Language.

I/O
Input/output. The communication between a system and an entity outside the system, such as another
system or a human being.

IMF
Interoperable Master Format. A SMPTE standard that defines an interoperable, file-based framework
designed to facilitate the management and processing of multiple versions of the same high-quality
finished work. See SMPTE ST 2067-2 and related documentation.

IP address
Internet Protocol address. A numerical identifier assigned to a device that is a member of a network that
uses the IP for communication.

LFE
Low-Frequency Effects. A band-limited channel specifically intended for deep, low-pitched sounds
(typically less than 120 Hz).

Lo/Ro
Left only/Right only. A stereo representation that preserves separation of Left Surround and Right
Surround channels in conversion from a surround format, and is also mono compatible.

LTC
Linear timecode. A timecode developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
(SMPTE) that provides a time reference for editing, synchronization, and identification.

MADI
Multichannel Audio Digital Interface. A communications protocol for an interface that carries multiple
channels of digital audio, defined by the Audio Engineering Society. Also known as AES10.

MP4
A digital multimedia container format defined in MPEG‑4 (ISO/IEC‑14496, parts 12 and 14) most
commonly used to store video and audio streams.

object
An audio signal plus associated object audio metadata.

PC
Personal computer.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 29

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Glossary

PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect. A local computer bus that supports functions in a standardized
format.

PCM
Pulse code modulation. A digital representation of an analog signal where the amplitude of the signal is
sampled at uniform intervals.

presentation
References to AC‑4 substreams to be decoded and presented simultaneously.

RAM
Random-access memory.

rendering
Processing of audio content to adapt it to specific speaker layouts, such as 5.1‑ and 7.1‑speaker feeds, or
headphones and sound bars.

RMU
Rendering and Mastering Unit.

UI
User interface.

USB
Universal Serial Bus. A standard that defines the cables, connectors, and communications protocols
used in connections between computers and electronic devices.

Waveform Audio Format

An audio bitstream file format.

Dolby Atmos Renderer Release Notes 30

Software v5.0 15 March 2023
 Dolby Laboratories, Inc. 1275 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1410 USA.
© 2017-2023 Dolby Laboratories. All rights reserved. Dolby and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby

Laboratories.
All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.