Pro Tools Dolby Atmos Tutorial, Part 2: Working With the External Renderer

In this video, I dive into the process of using the external Dolby Atmos renderer with Pro Tools, building upon the internal renderer workflow I covered last week. I address two common questions right off the bat: the external renderer's compatibility with Windows (it's Mac-only) and why one might choose it over the internal renderer. I then demonstrate two methods of using the external renderer: the traditional way, where audio is sent from Pro Tools to the renderer and then to your playback system, and a new method utilizing Pro Tools' auxiliary input/output feature, which allows the renderer to function almost like an external outboard gear.

Throughout the video, I walk through the setup process step-by-step, from creating a simple stereo session to configuring the Dolby Audio Bridge and setting up the LTC channel for timecode. I also cover how to export your Dolby Atmos session and briefly touch on the ability to import Atmos master files. Additionally, I explain how to set up re-renders and bring them back into Pro Tools, addressing some of the challenges and workarounds required due to channel limitations. This comprehensive guide should provide both novice and experienced users with the knowledge they need to start working with the external Dolby Atmos renderer in Pro Tools.