Integrated Atmos Renderer Binaural Shortcomings

[Tone_Mechanic]

I am diving into Pro Tools 2023.12 and the new integrated Dolby Atmos Renderer. Overall I think it has promise, but there are some features which I still think need some refining.

Particularly I'm looking at compatibility of going between integrated Renderer for mixing and compatibility with collaborating with other editors/mixers, and then using the external Renderer for deliverables.

The main thing I am finding is an afterthought right now, is the binaural settings for objects. Unless I missed something, the only way to set the Binaural setting is in the I/O Tab? So I'm going to have to stop playback, open the I/O Tab, set a binaural setting, and then hit playback to hear the change? That's ridiculous.

At least using an external Renderer I could use the Binaural Settings Plugin to make changes and audition those changes on the fly.
Also, I can't find any way to import the Binaural settings from past sessions that I did with an external renderer.

CORRECTION: There is a "Pull Config" button when you select External Renderer, but there is no "Push Config" button to push my internal Pro Tools setting to the External Atmos Renderer.

Overall, great new additions, but it falls short if you are wanting to go back and forth between the internal and external renderer.

Also, in the External Renderer you could add a comment name to each object. This is no longer possible using the internal Renderer.

[audiogamble]

I'm a bit confused in general on what the binaural settings in the IO tab means for external renderers. It seems to want to reset itself to all mid on new sessions or I/o imports. However, it seems like these choices have no effect on the binaural settings in the external renderer. As far as I can tell, when I bounce it assigns binaural settings according to how the external RMU is set.

So am I safe to assume these settings do nothing when using an external RMU? If so, can I suggest that you grey these settings out or hide this row when external RMU is selected? It's a bit confusing and doesn't exactly breed confidence to have these settings floating around in multiple places.

I agree on the IO tab being a bad place for these. That needs to be changed.

Also using "pull config" has been generally problematic. The reason is because it assumes things about what it should do in the output tab as well. If you're using anything besides Dolby Audio Bridge, it's likely to assume incorrectly. Sadly, this seems to be the only way to pull in binaural settings in one click. I would suggest a separate push/pull just for binaural settings.

[nedd]

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I am also very confused with Binaural settings.

If using "External Renderer" the "Pull Config" button should read connected renderer and/or Bin Settings plug in.

I press "Pull Config" but it changes NOTHING. Mono or stereo also doesn't have any effect.

ALL Objects and Bed stay in MID mode.

I have the BIN settings organised in groups, check att.
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[Tone_Mechanic]

Originally Posted by audiogamble

I'm a bit confused in general on what the binaural settings in the IO tab means for external renderers. It seems to want to reset itself to all mid on new sessions or I/o imports. However, it seems like these choices have no effect on the binaural settings in the external renderer. As far as I can tell, when I bounce it assigns binaural settings according to how the external RMU is set.

So am I safe to assume these settings do nothing when using an external RMU? If so, can I suggest that you grey these settings out or hide this row when external RMU is selected? It's a bit confusing and doesn't exactly breed confidence to have these settings floating around in multiple places.

I agree on the IO tab being a bad place for these. That needs to be changed.

Also using "pull config" has been generally problematic. The reason is because it assumes things about what it should do in the output tab as well. If you're using anything besides Dolby Audio Bridge, it's likely to assume incorrectly. Sadly, this seems to be the only way to pull in binaural settings in one click. I would suggest a separate push/pull just for binaural settings.

Very good point and I agree