I SPENT 24 HOURS IMMERSED IN DOLBY ATMOS MUSIC - THESE ARE 8 KEY THINGS I LEARNED

What Hi-Fi? deputy editor Andy Madden gained some interesting insights from the world of immersive audio on a visit to a Dolby Atmos studio

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Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to Madrid to take part in the global media drive for the new Polestar 3 electric vehicle. The trip was based around the car’s sound system, which is not only a new offering from Bowers & Wilkins but also a system that supports Dolby Atmos Music from compatible streaming services.

As part of the trip, I visited a Dolby studio on the outskirts of Madrid where Atmos content is mixed for music and movies. While there, I was able to experience the format from behind the mixing desk with the help of sound mixer Luis del Toro and David Ziegler, Content and Partner Relations Manager, Commercial Partnerships, Dolby, who gave a fascinating insight into the world of immersive audio production. Here are some of the key things I learned…

1 More artists are now mixing in Atmos Music

Dolby is quick to point out the popularity of Atmos Music among some of the world’s biggest artists. “If you look at the top 100 streamed artists worldwide you’ll find that 92 of them have already released music in Atmos. And [at the time of writing] 84 per cent of the Billboard Hot 100 songs are available in Dolby Atmos," says Ziegler.

Speaking from my own experience, I have also found Atmos content easier to come across in the last couple of years, with multiple Atmos playlists appearing across compatible music streaming services. Of course, you need a compatible conduit to play the tracks through, be it a pair of spatial-audio supporting headphones, Dolby Atmos soundbar or Atmos in-car sound system.

2 Fewer speakers tend to be used mixing music in