Connecting your ASIO DAW to Dolby Atmos® Renderer.

Owned by David Jacques
Last updated: Sept 21, 2022
8 min read



Prerequisites

  • Merging Audio Device 2.1 must be installed and configured.
  • Dolby Atmos Renderer running on a Windows computer : Merging Audio Device 2.1 (or above) must be installed and configured.
  • Dolby Atmos Renderer running on a MacOs computer : Virtual Audio Device 3.2 (or above) must be installed and configured.
    Depending on your configuration and requirements, VAD Premium might be required (Standard version being AES67 only and 64 IO Max
  • Merging Hapi MKII 
    Highly recommended over Horus and Hapi 1st generation due to the MkII ZMAN and AoIP stream flexibility.
  • Merging Anubis running the Monitoring mission (optional)
  • A properly configured managed network switch.   See this page for details and configuration guides.
  • DAW with Dolby Atmos features.


Scope

In this configuration, up to 128 channels can be sent from your ASIO DAW in the Dolby Atmos Renderer, hosted on a separate computer (MacOS or Windows) through AES67 / RAVENNA network.

  • The Dolby Atmos authoring process can be quite CPU intensive, depending on the size of your project.
    Therefore, Merging recommends running on i7 CPU (or more) with 16 Gb of RAM (or more).

  • Dolby Atmos Renderer on Windows: the Dolby Atmos Renderer requires MAD to be configured with a buffer size of 512 samples. Therefore, it cannot be used in AES67 mode since AES67 requires MAD to be set with buffers sizes which are multiples of 48 (48, 96, 192 or 384 samples).
    If the Dolby Atmos Renderer is hosted on a Mac computer, there is no such limitation.

  • Recording back Live Re-renders on the DAW computer is possible.  The number of channels may vary depending on your computer and project configuration.
    Exporting Re-renders offline from the Dolby Atmos Renderer application is possible when opening the Dolby Atmos ADM Master file (Export Audio > Re-Renders).
  • MacMini 10Gb Ethernet port : currently not suitable for RAVENNA/AES67 network.   Please use a dedicated USB-C to Ethernet, USB3 to Ethernet, or Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet (Sonnettech) adapter.


Configure the AES67/RAVENNA Network

  • DAW Computer - Merging Audio Device
    Please open the MAD Panel, and click on Advanced settings :
    Set MAD in RAV/AES67 mode
    Set Merging Audio Device as Master ASIO Host
    Set the sampling rate to 48000
    Set the Buffer size to 512
    Set the Sample type to 32bit integer
    Set the required Number of Inputs and outputs:
    Up to 128 Inputs and outputs, but unused channels will still use some power processing. 
    Therefore Merging recommends you rather set the number of channels you need ; e.g. if you don't plan to use Live Re-renders, 8 inputs are sufficient.
    Merging recommends you disable the MAD - WDM, or do not set the WDM outputs to any Bridge channels, to avoid having the WDM channels routed into the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
    Set the Latency to 16/32/64 (RAVENNA).
    Click on Apply

  • Hapi MKII
    Browse to Setup > System, and set the Latency to Low 64 smp (RAVENNA).
  • Anubis
    Browse to Home (Merging logo button) > Settings > General, and set the Latency to Low-64 (RAVENNA).


Configure the Dolby Atmos Renderer audio driver

MacOs - Virtual Audio Device driver

Important Note : The MacMini 10Gb Ethernet port (embedded) is not suitable for RAVENNA/AES67 network. 
Please use a dedicated USB-C to Ethernet, USB3 to Ethernet, or Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet (Sonnettech) adapter.
The Dolby Atmos Renderer requires specific settings to communicate with Merging RAVENNA/AES67 devices.
Please go in the System Preferences - Merging RAVENNA / AES67 Settings :

    • Switch to RAV/AES67 mode
    • Set the Latency to 10 ms (480)
    • Tick the Safe Mode option.
    • Set the sampling rate to 48000
    • Set the required Number of Inputs and outputs:
      Up to 128 Inputs and outputs, but unused channels will still use some power processing. 
      Therefore Merging recommends you rather set the number of channels you need ; e.g. if you don't plan to use Live Re-renders, 16 (up to 9.1.4 + Binaural) or 24 outputs are sufficient.


Windows - Merging Audio Device driver

The Dolby Atmos Renderer requires specific settings to communicate with Merging RAVENNA/AES67 devices.
Please open the MAD Panel, and click on Advanced settings :

    • Set MAD in RAV/AES67 mode
    • Set the Latency to 16/32/64
    • Set Merging Audio Device as Master ASIO Host
    • Set the sampling rate to 48000
    • Set the Buffer size to 512
    • Set the Sample type to 32bit integer

    • Set the required Number of Inputs and outputs:
      Up to 128 Inputs and outputs, but unused channels will still use some power processing. 
      Therefore Merging recommends you rather set the number of channels you need ; e.g. if you don't plan to use Live Re-renders, 16 (up to 9.1.4 + Binaural) or 24 outputs are sufficient.

    • Merging recommends you disable the MAD - WDM, or do not set the WDM outputs to any Bridge channels, to avoid having the WDM channels routed into the Dolby Atmos Renderer.
    • Click on Apply


Configure the Dolby Atmos Renderer application.

Start the Dolby Atmos Renderer.

  • Go in Preferences (Mac) or File > Settings (Windows)
  • Mac : In the Driver Settings, set Audio Driver to Core Audio, then both Audio input and output device to Merging RAVENNA/AES67.
    Windows : In the Driver Settings, set Audio Driver to ASIO, then both Audio input and output device to Merging Audio Device.
  • Set the External sync source to LTC over Audio
    Set the LTC input channel to 128 (or adapt to the number of inputs you have set in the driver).
    Set the required Frame rate
  • If you don't plan to use Re-renders, you may disable this feature.
  • Click on Accept.
    The Dolby Atmos Renderer will then initialize and verify that the driver is compatible, this may take some time.
  • Go now in the Window > Room Setup page to configure your room and set the routing.
    Please see Setting up a room in the Dolby Atmos Renderer Guide (accessible through the Help menu).
    Take note of your Routing, as you will need to connect the related outputs to the Merging RAVENNA/AES67 devices.


Configure Merging+Anubis - Monitoring Mission

The Anubis Monitoring mission lets you easily control your Dolby Atmos Monitors, with its unique Downmix and Bass management features.
For more details on the Anubis Monitoring mission capabilities, please consult the Anubis User Manual.
You may also connect a Hapi MKII directly to the Dolby Atmos Renderers outputs, but you will need an external Monitoring control device.

  • Create a Dolby Atmos Source
    Go in the settings > Sources, and create a new Source.
    Select it to edit its properties, and set its Type to Dolby Atmos (7.1.4 in this example).
    You may name the Source accordingly (named "Dolby Atmos" in our example)

  • Create a Stereo Source (Binaural)
    Go in the settings > Sources, and create a new Source.
    Select it to edit its properties, and set its Type to Stereo.
    You may name the Source accordingly (named "Binaural" in our example)

  • Create a Dolby Atmos Monitor
    Go in the settings > Monitors, and create a new Monitor.
    Select it to edit its properties, and set its Type to Dolby Atmos (7.1.4 in this example).
    You may name the Monitor accordingly (named "7.1.4" in our example)

  • Create a Binaural Monitor
    Go in the settings > Monitors, and create a new Monitor (alternatively, you may also configure Phone 1 or 2)
    Select it to edit its properties, and set its Type to Stereo.
    Set its Mode to Cue.
    You may name the Monitor accordingly (named "Phone" in our example)

More details on how to create sources and monitors can be found in the Anubis - Monitoring mission tutorials.
To be able to listen to the Multi-channel outputs (12 outputs -7.1.4 - in our example), you will need a Hapi MKII device connected on the network.


Connect the audio inputs and outputs with Aneman 

Please start Aneman.

  • Create a Sample Rate Zone (if you don't already have one)
    Drag and drop ASIO on the top of the zone (inside the crown icon).
    Drag and drop Anubis and the additional device(s) in the zone.
    Drag and drop the CoreAudio (Dolby Atmos Renderer on a Mac computer) or ASIO (Dolby Atmos Renderer on a Windows computer) in the zone.

Connecting your DAW ASIO to the Dolby Atmos Renderer

  • In the World view (left pane), select both the DAW ASIO and the Dolby Atmos Renderer CoreAudio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows).
  • In the Matrix (right pane), connect the relevant DAW ASIO outputs to CoreAudio or ASIO inputs.
    Note : the number channels to connect should be set in accordance with the driver and the Dolby Atmos Renderer configuration.
    E.g. If you have set the LTC Input to channel 128 in the Dolby Atmos Renderer, obviously you have to connect the corresponding DAW ASIO output 128.
  • If you plan to use Live Re-renders, please also connect the relevant Dolby Atmos RendererCoreAudio or ASIO outputs on your ASIO DAW inputs.
    The Live Re-enders channels number is set in the Dolby Atmos Renderer - Windows - Room Setup - Routing Tab.
    E.g. If Re-renders channels is set from 25 to 88 , connect the CoreAudio or ASIO outputs 25 to 88 (if you need 64 channels for Re-renders)

Connecting the Dolby Atmos Renderer to Merging Anubis

  • In the World view (left pane), select both CoreAudio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows) and your Anubis.
  • In the Matrix (right pane), connect the relevant CoreAudio / ASIO outputs to your Anubis Sources.
    Note : the number of channels to connect should be set in accordance with the driver and the Dolby Atmos Renderer output routing.
  • In this example, the CoreAudio / ASIO 7.1.4 outputs are connected to the Anubis Source called Dolby Atmos (outputs 1 to 12 in the Dolby Atmos Renderer - Room Setup - Routing page)
    The CoreAudio / ASIO Headphones are connected to the Anubis Source called Binaural ; outputs 127-128, as set in the Dolby Atmos Renderer - Room Setup - Routing page. 
    If you need to reduce the number of output channels from CoreAudio / ASIO, please change the Headphone routing in the Dolby Atmos Renderer, and connect the corresponding outputs.




Connecting Merging Anubis to Hapi MKII

  • In the World view (left pane), select both Anubis and your Hapi MKII.
  • In the Matrix (right pane), connect the relevant Anubis Monitor to the Hapi MKII.
    Note: Make sure you first select the Monitor set on the Anubis itself in order to see it listed for connectivity in ANEMAN
  • The Binaural Source can be listened to by selecting the Stereo Monitor (named "Phone" in our example), then the Stereo Source (named "Binaural" in our example), directly on the Anubis.

Connecting the Dolby Atmos Renderer to Hapi MKII (without Anubis)

  • In the World view (left pane), select both the Dolby Atmos Renderer CoreAudio (Mac) or ASIO (Windows) and your Hapi MKII.
  • In the Matrix (right pane), connect the relevant Dolby Atmos Renderer CoreAudio / ASIO outputs to the Hapi MKII
    Note : the number of channels to connect should be set in accordance with the driver and the Dolby Atmos Renderer output routing.
  • In this example, the CoreAudio / ASIO 7.1.4 outputs are connected to the Hapi MKII DAs (outputs 1 to 12 in the Dolby Atmos Renderer - Room Setup - Routing page)
  • The CoreAudio / ASIO Headphones are connected to the Hapi MKII Headphones ; outputs 127-128, as set in the Dolby Atmos Renderer - Room Setup - Routing page. 
    If you need to reduce the number of output channels from CoreAudio / ASIO, please change the Headphone routing in the Dolby Atmos Renderer, and connect the corresponding outputs.

DAW Configuration

  • Please follow your DAW manufacturer documentation to configure its Dolby Atmos Features.

Notes

  • Dolby® Dolby Atmos, and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories 
    Licensing Corporation. Confidential unpublished works. Copyright 2021 Dolby Laboratories. All 
    rights reserved.
  • The computer should be properly configured for real-time audio applications.
    Please consult our configuration guides for Windows computers or Mac computers.
  • Apple Mac M1 users : as of today (Dolby Atmos Renderer v3.7.3), the Dolby Atmos Renderer is compatible with, but not fully qualified on, M1 Macs, as the Renderer runs as an Intel process (see Activity Monitor under the “Kind” column) via the Rosetta 2 translation layer, which may cause performance issues.