Dolby Atmos Documentation
Get more information on:
- What Dolby Atmos is
- Studio configuration
- Signal flow
- Audio middleware configuration and implementation
Studio Design
Designing your game in Dolby Atmos starts with the setup of your sound studio. This page contains information on bass management, room calibration, and speaker setup.
Set up your studioImplementation
Dolby Atmos is enabled on the Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows desktop (Win32) applications, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) applications by leveraging Microsoft's Spatial Audio APIs. This allows developers to create dynamic audio objects that move throughout the soundscape using Microsoft's ISpatialAudioClient.
In general, developers using ISpatialAudioClient will do the following to add dynamic audio objects:
- Create static and/or dynamic audio objects.
- Feed each object's audio buffer each frame so the system can render it.
- Update dynamic objects' 3D positions on demand - as frequently (or infrequently) as the app desires.
For more information on using Dolby Atmos with Microsoft's Spatial Audio APIs, see MSDN's entry on Spatial Sound for Developers.
Dolby Atmos for Xbox & Win 10
Technologies
Several middleware products and engines support Dolby Atmos.
Wwise
Audiokinetic's Wwise supports Atmos for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and mobile. Wwise can be integrated with both Unity 3D and Unreal Engine, which will enable support for spatial audio that is then rendered to Dolby Atmos.
FMOD
Firelight Technologies FMOD Studio currently supports Dolby Atmos for PC, Xbox Series X|S and mobile. FMOD can be integrated with both Unity 3D and Unreal Engine, which enables support of Spatial audio that is then rendered to Dolby Atmos.
Unreal
Dolby Atmos can be implemented through the Dolby Atmos Plugin for Unreal Engine; a plugin for Unreal that adds Atmos functionality to Unreal's native audio tools.
Artistic Considerations
If you are used to designing for stereo or even 5.1 sound, making the jump to Dolby Atmos does require some changes in how you think about sound design. These pages will provide some tips and considerations that may help.
Dynamic Range
Utilizing dynamic range can be very effective in creating immersive environments that affect the player's emotions.
LFE Usage
If the LFE channel is overused, cinematic impact will be diminished. There will be no dynamic range left to exploit in the LFE channel at key moments.
Central Channel Usage
In a multichannel system, there are several ways to obtain a centrally placed sound image. Each approach offers advantages and drawbacks.
Surround Channel Usage
Games tend to make much more overt use of the surround speakers when compared to linear media.
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos® adds the flexibility and power of dynamic audio objects into traditional channel-based workflows.
Logos and Guidelines
The Dolby Atmos® logo is available for applicable titles. Here you’ll find access to both the white and black logo and the Usage Guidelines.
We ask that you complete the Dolby Atmos Requirements Form and submit any artwork containing the Dolby Atmos logo for review prior to game manufacturing/distribution.
Please note that this process for obtaining logos does not apply to mobile games. Please email your Dolby contact or fill out the form here if you are working on a mobile title.
Horizontal - White on Black
Horizontal - Black on White
Vertical - White on Black
Vertical - Black on White
Please refer to the following Usage Guidelines for logo parameters, sizing, color palette, and correct usage of Dolby trademarks and technology names.
