Rendering a Dolby Atmos mix in Logic Pro for Mac
The renderer is the heart of a Dolby Atmos system. This component is built into any software that lets you create a Dolby Atmos mix (like Logic Pro for Mac), and it is also built into any Dolby Atmos–capable consumer device for playing back Dolby Atmos content. The renderer functions as an audio processor that converts the object-based input signal (the Dolby Atmos mix) to a channel-based output signal to be played back on speakers or headphones.
Monitoring during the mix
When you create a Dolby Atmos mix, all object tracks remain individual objects with their pan position stored separately as metadata. Even the exported ADM BWF master file (created after you’ve finished the mix) remains bed (surround) and/or object based. However, when you listen to your Dolby Atmos mix while working on it, you listen through a channel-based playback system. That means you’re listening through the renderer, which converts the object-based mix to channel-based output. In Logic Pro, you use the Monitoring Format pop-up menu in the Dolby Atmos plug-in to set the channel-based output a Dolby Atmos mix should be rendered to. See Dolby Atmos monitoring formats.
Consumer playback
Any consumer playback system that is capable of playing back Dolby Atmos content also has a built-in Dolby Atmos renderer to convert the object-based Dolby Atmos mix (music or movie) to channel-based output. The renderer automatically chooses the right output format for specific playback systems, such as an audio/video receiver or headphones.