Have you ever gotten a mix back just to be disappointed by how some of the parts you worked so hard to create are just not audible or are getting clouded over by other elements of the song? This is a common issue in traditional stereo mixing since there is very limited space in the mix where you can place different sounds. Overlapping sounds will create what’s called a masking effect making it difficult to hear details. When mixing in Atmos I use a special piece of software that models how we as humans actually hear in the real world. Then, using a 14-speaker setup I am able to place the sound anywhere in 3D space, including above and behind you. This allows for FAR better clarity of individual sounds and a much more natural blending together of the music.

Unfortunately, yes. The downside is that instead of simply needing 2 speakers to mix a song you need a precisely tuned 14-speaker setup to be able to mix in this format with success. The good news is that I have already made that investment. Outside of needing more speakers and specialized equipment to do this, I’ve yet to find a downside. Things simply sound better mixed through Atmos. Music sounds more natural, and the amount of detail you can hear is incredible. I believe it’s how music was meant to be heard.

There are a few different ways of experiencing an Atmos mix currently. The first is indeed more complicated. If desired, I am able to deliver the mix as an .ADM file, which is the true Atmos master file to be used if you’re listening on an actual Atmos listening setup. These files are, however, only playable through specific programs and only certain streaming services currently support it. It’s early days in the world of Atmos, and while the technology is moving fast and Atmos is starting to be implemented into things like new cars, soundbars, AirPods, and even laptops we’re still dealing with the bleeding edge of new technology. For this reason, at this point, I personally recommend another option which is called a binaural mix. With this option you’re still getting the same benefits of the new Atmos listening technology, however, what gets delivered at the end of the day is a standard stereo .WAV file. You can upload it to any streaming service, YouTube, or even just post it to social media without issue, just as you always have. With this, everyone will have the same excellent listening experience and just be surprised by how good it sounds.