DON'T Buy One Of These Audio Interfaces For Mixing Dolby ATMOS .. WASTE OF MONEY!!

Why Audient ORIA Makes Avid MTRX Studio An EXTORTIONATE Interface For Mixing Dolby Atmos

Is Audient Oria really best dolby atmos interface? Its been really tough trying to choose an audio interface for dolby atmos, and thankfully is audient Oria not only one of the cheapest interfaces for dolby atmos mixing but arguably the best interface for mixing in dolby atmos

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.

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📖 CHAPTERS
0:00 intro
0:32 why the avid mtrx studio costs so much
2:00 does it have enough outputs for dolby atmos?
3:46 comparing the virtual control software
6:06 does it have speaker calibration built into the unit?
8:35 creating and switching monitor profiles
9:20 can it be controlled externally on an ipad or tablet?
10:23 streaming dolby atmos from apple music
12:02 can you record in an immersive session?

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[PaulThird]

FYI I went and bought an M1 macbook pro for the atmos room (I was worried about whether my aged laptop was gonna keep up). Lucky I did cause I can confirm that it streams dolby atmos via apple music and the sonarworks calibration export is now working.. But for Mac only (sonarworks export for windows will be very soon)

Unfortunately due to windows not really giving a shit about atmos, MAC is the only way of streaming dolby atmos via apple music & TV

Tidal doesn't stream it which is infuriating and Netflix and paramount are only outputing 5 1 but anything you watch on apple tv is streaming full atmos.

In terms of daw, ORIA works perfectly with studio one (windows and Mac) with no setup really. Just works like an interface with a stereo session. Absolutely seemless.

[fkg]

Please do not stop making sense! Thanks for this very good explanation.

[bingerbobble]

Thanks for the informative video Paul!
I particularly enjoyed your outline of the main components of what's required to do this properly!

Congrats on your recent M1 MBP purchase!
I've been working on setting up my Atmos mix room on a budget and following this subject with much interest.
I think the ORIA is a step in the right direction (especially compared to the Avid MatrixStudio).
However, it might surprise you to learn that I solved this problem (and ticked all the boxes you mentioned in your video) for still ~40% less than the cost of an ORIA:

1. Apogee DA16 (16 audio outputs) - $300
2. RME Digiface USB (32x34 matrix router/mixer) - $450
2a. Digimix (downmixing and speaker management) - FREE with RME Digiface USB
2b. Digicheck NG (high-res audio signal metering/monitoring) - FREE with RME Digiface USB
2c. Totalmix remote (remote control via iPad for Digimix) - FREE with RME Digiface USB
3. Ground Control Sphere (Atmos monitor control software) - $350
3a. Ground Control Remote (via Stream Deck OR iPad) - FREE with Ground Control Sphere
3b. Virtual multi channel driver (Dolby Atmos stream decoding) - FREE with Ground Control Sphere
4. Stream Deck+ (Hardware controller for Sphere) - $150
5. Sonarworks (Calibration software) - $400

Total = $1650

The main benefits of this setup (besides the obvious significant cost savings):

1. Modular but integrated solution with all major DAWs
2. Choice of interfaces for outputs (use ANY 16 channel output device)
3. Flexible routing/monitoring at all levels of your signal path
4. Flexible/powerful remote via both hardware knobs/buttons AND/OR iPad/iPhone
5. FREE Atmos stream (BTW, if you decide to try out Logic Pro, then you get Atmos encode/decode FOR FREE - including ability to record/playback Atmos master files).
6. Each component of the system is built by a reputable company focused on building the best-in-class version of that component (i.e. Apogee>Audio outputs; Digimix>Routing/mixing; Ground Control Sphere>Atmos monitoring; Elgato>Remote control; Sonarworks>calibration)

IMO, this is the combination to be beat and nothing (yet) has come close, but I'm always watching this space and eager to learn what others are discovering in their Atmos journey.

Best of luck to you on yours!

[TanishqSeth]

Hi Paul, hope you see this comment! Loved your video and I am in the process of building my own atmos setup here in New Delhi, India! I have the main control room along with a recording room, an ISO Booth and a vocal booth. I am considering an ORIA + 2 ASP880 setup to get 8+8+2 preamp setup for live tracking as well as atmos mixing (7.1.4) to solve my workflow.
I just had 2 concerns - 1) What would I do for talkback and cue outs into these rooms (if I were to send different mixes to artists) Can I use the unused outs for cue outs??
2) Would you recommend this arrangement for future proofing? I don’t see how I’ll be able to expand beyond the 16 adat ins
Thanks a lot✌🏻

[dannepedersen]

Will got mine tomorrow, really look forward to it :)

[jackveranda]

Great video as always Paul. Liking the new look too. Hope your well mate.

[ScottMcFadyen]

Interesting. I've had a very different experience from you. I've found the DADman Control Software to pretty awesome. It's actually amazing imo.

[Sleemzz]

Hey Paul! First off great video and totally agree with you that the Audient Oria looks absolutely amazing, especially for the price! Just thought I'd add my perspective as someone who's been using a MTRX Studio daily for roughly a year and a half.

To start I totally agree that the unit is vastly overpriced for just doing Atmos work. However, until recently it was really the only fully featured device on the market to make setting up an Atmos rig even remotely easy. I was part of a build out for an Atmos mix room at a local commercial studio and we had initially gone with an Antelope Galaxy 32 as the MTRX Studio was severely backordered, only for us to swap in a MTRX Studio because of so many software limitations with the Antelope. This is mostly a non issue at this point with the Oria, a new software update from Lynx for the Aurora, and software like Ground Control Sphere.

Secondly, I've run basically every major DAW (Studio One 6 included) with my MTRX Studio and have had virtually zero issues. I was initially running over Dante Virtual Soundcard, but ended up spending the money for the Thunderbolt card when it was released (I bought my MTRX Studio used, so I'm still into it for less than one new). I had tons of issues with Dante Virtual Soundcard like artifacts and clocking issues, but all of that went away after switching to thunderbolt. Digital Audio Denmark, who make the MTRX units for avid, have written an incredibly stable thunderbolt driver with extremely low latency (under 3ms roundtrip at 96k w/ 128 sample buffer size). The computer doesn't even know that its an avid device, and theres none of the hangups of avid's HDX drivers. As far as the computer is concerned, the MTRX Studio is just a thunderbolt soundcard, no different than an Apollo for example.

The DADman software definitely can be cleaned up and made to look like it was designed in 2024, but that said its easily one of the more powerful control panels out there. There is a pretty steep learning curve, but once you get over that it is totally flexible to however you want to set it up for your workflow. I haven't tested it, but I'm fairly certain that you can route the speaker output from DADman to any of the physical outputs (Analog, Optical, or Dante) and maintain the calibration.

As for streaming Apple Music, that is something that Apple added to MacOS a few versions back. You can setup multi channel outputs in "Audio Midi Setup" (up to 9.1.6 in the latest MacOS) and that allows Apple Music to playback multi channel audio. As far as I know, there is no way currently to playback multi channel Atmos content on Windows (could be wrong on this as I'm mostly a mac user)

Again, loved the video! Just thought I'd give my perspective as someone who is using a MTRX Studio daily for both Atmos and Stereo work. Excited for your future coverage on the Oria!

[sideast]

Great review ! keeping it real as usual !

[TigroGumi]

I have a dilemma with choosing a Atmos interface.
So I’m between the Antelope Orion 32+ with the MRC monitor controller and the Audient Oria.
Part of the dilemma is needing the interface for production as well as mixing but there’s also a mixing question I have as Audient staff seem to be completely ignorant to the capabilities of the Oria.
I asked about one thing I saw someone clearly do in a video and they said it wasn’t possible.
And when I’ve made support tickets I’ve gotten no response.
I wanted to know if I could use the left and right channel outs on the AES outs as a stereo speaker out and the TRS outs for the Atmos and switch to Stereo from Atmos without issues using the AES for my main stereo speakers.
Is this possible?
Another question is where the hell do you buy a AES breakout cable that’s all outputs?
Can’t find any specific AES cables.
And then one more question just to be super annoying:
I will want one of the analog stereo outs for a monitor controller to send B monitors, but would like to use one of the stereo outs to use as a loop back to add analog processing and return to the two inputs.
This will be enough production I/O for now but obviously will aim the get a interface with two ADAT outputs to use the Oria as a controller later when I need to add more I/O for production.
One thing I really like about the Oria is hearing how well it works and how easy it is just to play movies or streamed Atmos music through it without having to do anything complicated… basically it becomes your computer interface and DAW interface without any headaches.
Which is perfect especially when starting a completely new format… you’re going to want to reference stuff a lot as well as listen to things for inspiration and ideas and will benefit from this.
Now, I believe this via what I’ve heard, is this true?
Can I also switch to a 2.0 binaural mix on the stereo speakers just to check folders down on them?
I know I can easily check the headphones already but the fold down to stereo speakers is super important for consumer compatibility.
Now apart from being able to play steamed music or movies without a complicated setup the Antelope Orion 32+ Gen 4 can do this easily especially with the MRC controller… I just know their support is absolutely rubbish when things do actually go wrong and are kind of known for things going wrong.
On the other hand, in a DAW and with production in mind, this will be a lot more suited for my needs.
This does come with its own calibration software so only losing the Sound ID branded calibration so not so worried about that.
And the MRC controller will make switching monitoring formats a breeze… but this is all mostly personal theory because there’s no one talking about their Atmos setup with it where the Oria has many real life reviews of its Atmos capabilities.
With the MRC you are paying about £700 more but getting more production required I/O… my other thought was the Oria with a Discrete 8 and using the ADAT outs… but… this will surely make it all a headache when trying to make things seamless.
The Audient Oria, is it possible to make it work how I’d like?
Or is it very limited when it comes to production?
And can I monitor how I’d like to with it?

[oidih]

Well done Paul, maybe I am a bit late, but just wanted to point at the Focusrite Red Line 16, how do you compare it to the Oria?

[tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Most of that went over my head. But, to be honest, I'm not interested in Dolby ATMOS, at least from a music point of view, either as a producer or a consumer.

[PietroFGReal]

Please never change! So much good old common sense despite the hype
You're doing the Lord's work

[nashsevenofficial]

Hi Paul, just quick question... I aquired 44.1khz intrumentals BUT i recorded my vocals with my DAW set at 48khz. Would i have any problem in the speed or pitch if i keep the instrumental at 44.1 inside my 48 session?

[QFXmusic]

Great content paul :) Shame you ORIA is not windows compliant yet :( But sure they will have that sorted soon :) I use Sphere at min which is great and very flexible :) But Seriously thinking about getting ORIA :) Just got to finish rebuilding the studio :)

[halfcut]

Hi Paul. Can you help please? I have a Mabook Air running Sonata 14.3. I have an Apple USB C to HDMI adaptor that should give me 8 channels of audio. I am trying to set up for 5.1.2 and have speakers front left, front right, front centre, subwoofer, surround left, surround right and two speakers in the ceiling for left top middle and right top middle. I've hooked this up to an Onkyo TX NR676E 7.1 av receiver. When I test the speakers from the receiver using the level calibration utility I get sound from each of my speakers (FL, FC. FR, Sub, RL, RR, HL and HR). All good. When I try to configure and test through the MacBook Air using Audio Midi setup the sound from the top middle left comes out of the surround left and the top middle right comes out of the surround right. I don't get anything from either of my height speakers at all.

What am I missing? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[TrigFX]

As a total audio noob when it comes to mixing - I'm a VFX artist who just wants to add a bit more pop to my personal projects - I currently mix using Davinci Resolve with its Dolby Atmos support, and a pair of headphones (Beyerdynamic DT1990 Pro), and can check/ render the final out of the Dolby Atmos Renderer.

So far, it's been "good enough", as I am not ever gonna be mixing anything at a pro level. (So far, I've only done about 2 projects in the last 12 months like this. That's pretty much all it will ever amount to.) However, whenever I want to check my mix on the 5.1.4 set up I have in my living room, that becomes (as you so beautifully put it...!! 😂) "a bit of a ballache".

I've been looking to update/ upgrade my office at home - so what's to say I can't use a receiver connected to my PC - for both mixing and listening to it back, to check it...? You said it's more expensive - but, Richer Sounds currently has the excellent Denon X6700H (which I have in my living room set up) which caters for 7.1.6 straight out of the box, and I believe can go to 9.1.6 with a preamp...and, as my office is small, get the Monitor Audio Midnight Mass speaker set up to go with it.

All told, this particular 7.1.4 set up, with receivers, speakers, cables, stands, etc, would not cost much over £3, 000 (the Denon is currently around £1, 400-ish, a 5.1 Mass package is under £400, but additional seperate speakers go for around £70 each - these are VIP member prices, and membership is FREE)...which is cheaper than your recommendation, as speakers would be an additional cost with your recommendation!! (Before you say anything, I have ZERO affiliation with Richer Sounds, other than most of my AV kit I've bought over the last 20 years has come from them!)

I'm not saying you're wrong - I'm just asking if his would actually work....?? Is there a reason to go this particular route rather than adding a receiver set up...? Or would there be issues with this approach?
I haven't seen anything online about it anywhere, to date, and I keep looking....

[siddantsharma]

Hi Do u think these hardward would complete atmos setup:
Audio Intdrface: i1820 focusrite
Studio monitor surround: Jbl 305
Lcr: jbl 308
Calibration : Sonarwork
Daw : Nuendo
Monitor controller: still confused

Please guide

[UncleBenjs]

Interesting that studio one doesnt play well with avid. It also doesnt work well with prism and has a bug that locks it up when attempting to render/bounce

[dragonstone]

Could you do 7.4.4, meaning 4 subs with sub management?