DON'T Build A Budget Dolby Atmos Mixing Setup BEFORE Watching This!!

How To Build A Dolby Atmos Mixing Room On A BUDGET

My name is Paul Third and I am a Scottish youtuber / audio engineer / mixing engineer / audio geek. I mostly cover audio engineering related content ranging from audio plugin shootouts / plugin comparisons (acustica audio plugins, universal audio etc etc) to actual analog vs digital / gear vs plugins plugin tests via access analog and mix analog. I even include ddmf plugindoctor tutorials in my plugin reviews so you can be your very own plugin tester and experiment and understand whats actually going on under the hood.

All of my audio blind tests involving music production software are conducted in Presonus studio one 6 which is my main daw and I also use HOFA blind test 4U as my blind test software. In terms of my audio interface I record and monitor through a universal audio apollo x6 through topping dx7 pro+ dac/amp and use an se dynacaster for all of my voice overs. Audient Oria

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📖 CHAPTERS
0:00 intro
0:50 What speaker array should you go for?
4:57 powering a 7.1.4 dolby atmos setup
8:40 Cables, cables, CABLES!!
10:48 The issue with mounting studio speakers
15:15 choosing speaker stands
16:21 Do you need a projector for dolby atmos?
18:19 how do you acoustically treat a dolby atmos room?
21:17 dolby atmos audio interface in relation to a desk
22:58 how to position your dolby atmos sub

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[PaulThird]

FYI the room is still not finished aesthetically but the practical side is all sorted.

And also before I get the same Internet pedalling comments about Atmos can you please bare in mind that Atmos is an adaptable file format so it can be upscaled from 7.1.4 or folded down to 5.1 or stereo.

If you don't have an atmos setup or headphones (most modern laptops and phones come with it already installed for headphones) then it just plays back normal stereo (and by normal I mean just L+R)

So basically whatever format you listen on you'll get the desired playback for that format.

[sonicart]

Love your honesty Paul. youve probably just saved many people a lot of stress....

[andynonimuss]

This is why Genelec is a great option since they make a very flexible array of wall and ceiling mounts for all of their speakers. And it also helps that Genelec specializes in surround systems.

[akagerhard]

I remember that you had a video where you listed different budget speaker options for dolby atmos. I said that if I was going to do atmos I'd pick the little iloud MTMs. This video makes me feel good about my theoretical decision! Keep hearing good things about producers choice blankets - if I ran into a door or window causing trouble, I'd probably try hanging some of those in front of it. The little excel spreadsheet looks great! Thank god there is always someone taking the time to save everyone else's day with one of these.

[ChrisFalson]

Hey Paul love your videos and can't wait to hear more about this new adventure. I am building my own dolby mix set up and working through the same issues in similar size space. Where can I download this DARDT doc? I cannot find it anywhere. Cheers, Chris

[zacalakemusic]

Loved it from the first sentence. I do not, however, expect to see this featured on the ATMOS website anytime soon. Congratulations on completing your karmic marathon, now you make some music. May your atmos system be all you hoped for and more.

[braxal]

Paul, Why not build a metal tube cage with 4 poles at each corner and connect pipes to each corner stand to form a square. Then you can mount the speakers to the pipes anywhere along where the walls hit the ceilings. Like a lighting rig.

[Mrpsblobsoflowendmung]

All the way through this vid I was thinking he’s defo got the Audient Oria 😂😂🤣

[LennonStephens]

I’ve always heard the first pronunciation of orthogonal. Good video Paul, although I can’t see myself ever getting on board with Atmos, as a mixer or listener.

[TigroGumi]

Talking people out of more stress than benefit is a good thing.
The door thing is something I've though about when imagining a room setup... which also leads me to thinking that Atmos is a pain for consumers also.
Something I have always thought about is the translation of Atmos to consumers.
We do not mix songs to be played and really expensive HiFi systems, we mix for things to work of basic stereo systems and we also want mono compatibility for mono Bluetooth speakers.
And in Atmos, what will the majority of consumers be using?
Which comes back to the room arrangement and what is possible in most houses.
Well, most people will have a sound bar, sub and two other multi direction speakers... it's be a 1.1.2 system with the sound bar having all sorts of directional speakers.
Atmos mixes I would think would need to be mixed with that type of system in mind most of all.
I guess you could get a system like this to check things but it would be good if there was a studio monitor version of this sort of system.
A mix might sound amazing in the full array of 7.1.4. or even a simpler 5.1.4... but is it going to translate to these Atmos sound bars?... these sound bars rely on reflections also... another problem... so a studio monitor version would be important that takes this into account.

On the best spot for the sub I heard a good technic the other day that might work, have to try it out.
You out the Sub in your listening spot... the height of your ears and everything.
You then move about the room where you might place it and where it sounds the best, that is where you put it.
That was audio advice... so not sure if that is best for a studio.
I'd have to try it.

[THZORROMUSIC]

nice one mate! thanks a lot! why u go with a 7.1.4 setup? read some use 9.1.6 or down to 5.1.4 for atmos. is yours the best in ratio investment / immersive experience. or is there a rule…

[parthmehra]

you don't really need to mount the speaker on the walls OR the ceilings. You can just get a crossbar with a speaker clamp and I also would recommend at the new iso acoustic wall stand to go with it on the clamp.

[Studiomix]

Looking forward to hear about your experiences when mixing in Atmos, if we have any questions we know who to consult, thanks for sharing your journey Paul 👍🏼

[chris_nalder]

haha nice rant... I understand the issues. I do AV installs for a Job, so what you mentioned is what I do without even thinking. Glad you know the stress and what we deal with. Yes Atmos rooms are fun. Try not to worry about the tech stuff. Even the best Atmos rooms are not that great as far as acoustics. No one knows what perfect sound is. So if you are happy and you trust your ears, thats all that matters. Thanks for highlighting the issues....

[zacharywoodard]

Shout out to your Dad! Sounds like he was instrumental to the build. :)

[parthmehra]

thanks for the informative video. I love it.

[QFXmusic]

OH good job i am very crafty :) lol Great having the height in your room I am bang on the 2.4m with my room :) I used heavy duty 100mm deep acoustic foam which was quite costly :( Didn't want to use rock wool as its messy and you have fibres floating around for months :( Sounds like you have got an Audient Oria :) You Lucky Lucky Lad lol Great video keep the great content coming :)

[robertcollado]

Thx for that video ! it is clearly not worth it to invest in such a system . You provided clear infos on all the hidden costs and technical pain to set up even an " affordable " system . Atmos has been pushed as the " format of the future " for like 8 years now, the push has been harder recently but with extremely limited results ... maybe it needs another 10 years

[mastermindesrpr]

Hi there sir Paul!!! Do you happen to know if the Google's Project Caviar is compatible with the Dolby Atmos setup???

[joechapman]

You're making me nervous with all that exposed rockwool :(