Dolby Atmos is revolutionizing the way music is mixed and experienced, offering immersive, multidimensional sound. To ensure your song is ready for a professional Dolby Atmos mix, proper preparation is essential. Here's a detailed guide to help you:


Before sending your project to the mixing engineer, ensure your session is well-organized:             
                                                 

Bounce all tracks from the same starting point (e.g., 0:00). This ensures proper alignment in the mixing session.                                                                     


               
Use descriptive names like "Lead Vocal," "Kick Drum," or "Guitar Solo" instead of generic labels like "Track 1" or "Audio 12."
                                             


Group tracks by instrument or role (e.g., drums, vocals, synths). Be sure to delete Unused Tracks.





Organization of Vocal stems, is especially important for Dolby Atmos mixes. 


                                                     

Export lead vocals, harmonies, and ad-libs as individual tracks for better spatial placement.




Include both dry (no effects) and wet (with effects) versions of your vocal tracks. This includes Auto-Tune or any pitch correction. Auto Tune/pitch correction along with any EQ adjustments should be included on wet stems. 

     


Dolby Atmos mixes often require rethinking effects like reverbs, delays, and modulation:

                                    

Export time-based effects (e.g., reverb, delay) as individual tracks instead of embedding them within instrument or vocal tracks.



Provide both the unprocessed tracks and those with your desired effects for reference. Be sure to label them properly for mix engineer.

                 

Proper file formats ensure seamless integration into the mixing session:



Export all tracks as 24-bit WAV files at the project’s native sample rate (e.g., 48kHz or higher). Atmost is 48kHz and its not a Deal breaker for mixing if the files are 44.1 kHz. When imported to a Dolby session, files will be converted upon import.



A final mix reference helps the engineer understand your vision. Not only that, for uploading ADM files to all streaming platforms, the Stereo version and the Atmos version of the songs need to be the exact same length and that is cross referenced with the Dolby Album Assembler. 



A good practice to have when sending stems for Atmos is to export all stems with sends/effects etc. Re-import to a separate session to cross reference with your final stereo version of the song. 



Place all files in a single folder, well-labeled. If your dealing with a large number of stems, create sub-folders as necessary. 




Proper preparation ensures your song is ready for the immersive possibilities of Dolby Atmos mixing. Taking these steps will help your mixing engineer focus on creativity and deliver a mix that brings your music to life in three dimensions.


               

               

4. Export in the right format:

1. Organize your session

Separate Lead Vox and BGV's Separately:

Consolidate Audio Tracks:

Group Similar Elements:

Label Tracks Clearly:

High Resolution Audio:

Dry & Wet Versions:

2. Prepare Vocal Tracks

Organize Send effects separately:

Include Dry & Processed Stems:

3. Manage Effects

6. Double Check Everything

5. Provide Stereo Reference Mix

File Organization:

Conclusion: