Avid has released Pro Tools 2023.12, adding and updating features including Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment and music workflows.
Pro Tools now has a fully integrated Dolby Atmos Renderer, capable of rendering from stereo up to a 9.1.6-channel loudspeaker array, while also providing a 5.1 or Stereo Loudness Re-render and a Binaural or Stereo headphone Re-render. All are available as buses that can be routed back into a session for measuring or postprocessing, and routing to a physical output. The I/O Setup window has been re-worked, adding a dedicated Dolby Atmos tab for configuring Beds and Objects:
There’s also full access to Trim & Downmix controls, with an option for five presets as well as a New Session Defaults tab which to preferred starting metadata to be configured.
The integrated renderer doesn’t directly replace all existing workflows, hence the drop-down box in the I/O Setup Window in order to toggle between the Internal Renderer and an External Renderer. This includes Dolby Audio Bridge with Dolby Atmos Renderer (DAR) or Dolby Atmos Production Suite (DAPS), or an external Rendering and Mastering Unit running either DAR, Dolby Atmos Mastering Suite (DAMS), or the Theatrical RMU software.
An example of this would be working on a fast turnaround, multi-episode project with late breaking compliance fixes. With the integrated renderer, it’s possible to re-export just the fixed section of the mix. In comparison, when working with the Dolby Atmos Renderer or RMU, Dolby Atmos Master File (DAMF) can be destructively punched in – which can be advantageous when time is limited.
Bounce/export speeds are determined by various factors, such as plug-ins used, routing complexity, CPU power and storage speed, but with recent versions of Pro Tools being able to run natively on Apple Silicon hardware, there have been considerable improvements in render speeds. Finally, this release also really helps to enable the ‘in-the-box’ Dolby Atmos mixing and mastering workflow more simply for Windows PC users.
The integrated Dolby Atmos renderer is included with both Pro Tools Studio and Pro Tools Ultimate to users with a current subscription or perpetual license under support, and Pro Tools 2023.12 is available via the Avid Link app or in the My Products section of an Avid.com Account.
Track Markers first a highly requested and now a well-liked and used feature has already been revisited and updated by Avid. Track Markers enables users to add detailed, colour-coded comments within a track to improve both music and audio post workflows. This latest release has expanded the capabilities and functionality of this tool with more marker rulers for better visibility. This allows each ruler to have a specific purpose with more space for text to be displayed. Avid have also made Track Markers easier to locate in the Memory Location window through improved sorting and filtering options.
More: www.avid.com
