Upgrading My Project Studio: Dolby Atmos Setup Built for Precision
As a recording and mixing engineer, every tool I invest in is about one thing: getting closer to the sound I hear in my head and delivering it to the artist and producers exactly the way it was meant to be heard.
This month marks a major upgrade to my Project Studio. Not just because I want new gear, but because I’m preparing to dive deeper into Pro Tools Dolby Atmos mixing, and that requires a serious leap forward in control and monitoring. I’m replacing my analog console, and all the gizmos and gadgets I needed to make it communicate with my Pro Tools rig.
The Gear I’m Adding and Why
Here’s what I’ve added to the studio and why it matters for my work and my clients:
Two Avid S1 Eucon Desktop Control Surfaces
Precision fader control with fast, tactile response. Essential for navigating complex mixes with clarity and speed.
Avid Pro Tools | Dock Control Surface
Integrates with the S1 and gives me hands-on control over plugins, automation, and routing inside Pro Tools. It expands my control in ways that a mouse never could.
Three Galaxy Tab S9, 256 GB, Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2
These tablets will serve as dedicated displays using the Avid Control App. They give me real-time visual feedback for metering, plugin views, and immersive surround panning. With the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 processor, they deliver the speed and responsiveness I need to keep my new system running fluidly during complex Dolby Atmos sessions.
Universal Audio Volt 476P USB Audio Interface
A four-channel interface with top-tier converters and analog-style compression built in. Perfect for overdubs, pre-production, and vocal tracking when I’m working in my own space.
A Pair of Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Open-Back Reference Headphones
These are accurate, lightweight, and designed for critical listening. Ideal for balancing stereo and immersive mixes with transparency and depth.
Visit Vintage King Los Angeles Showroom for new and used gear.
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With this upgraded setup in place, I’ve positioned my Project Studio for a new era of creative control and sound precision.
I can now:
Refine and expand my Dolby Atmos mixing techniques directly in my Project Studio (See My Atmos Guide)
Deliver faster, more consistent, spatially accurate mixes that translate across immersive and stereo formats (See My Stereo Guide)
Create more efficiently with surgical precision using more tactile equipment that is purpose-designed
This isn’t about chasing the latest gear. This is about serving the music and the people who create it, at the highest level possible. Whether I’m building a spatial mix for a filmmaker or enhancing a jazz or funk performance in post, this upgrade gives me the power, speed, and flexibility to execute at the elite level my clients expect.
Closing Thoughts on Upgrading my Project Studio for Dolby Atmos Setup
This upgrade marks a turning point in how I work and in the kind of sonic experience I can deliver. Dolby Atmos mixing isn’t just the future. It’s the present for those of us committed to pushing boundaries and delivering music in its most immersive, impactful form.
If you’re an artist, producer, or filmmaker interested in hearing your project mixed with this level of precision and dimension, let’s talk.
Want to hear what immersive clarity sounds like? Reach out for a Dolby Atmos game plan and mix
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Dolby Atmos mixing, and how is it different from stereo?
Dolby Atmos mixes are built in a three-dimensional space, allowing me to place sounds above, behind, and around the listener, not just left to right. It brings music and sound design to life in a much more immersive way.
2. Do I need special equipment to listen to a Dolby Atmos mix?
You don’t need a full studio setup. Many streaming platforms now support Atmos playback through headphones or smart speakers. I also deliver downmixed stereo versions that retain spatial impact.
3. Can you mix in Dolby Atmos even if my song was recorded in stereo?
Yes. I can adapt stereo stems and enhance them for immersive playback using spatial design, reverbs, and creative panning. While multitrack sessions offer more flexibility, stereo recordings can still shine in Atmos.
4. Will this new gear change how you mix traditional stereo projects?
Absolutely. The improved control, visual feedback, and monitoring tools enhance every mix I do — stereo or immersive. This upgrade lifts the quality of everything coming out of my Project Studio.
5. Are you offering Dolby Atmos mixes for independent artists?
Yes. I work with indie artists, producers, and filmmakers who are ready to take their sound to the next level. This technology isn’t just for major labels anymore — it’s for those who want their work to stand out.
6. What’s the first step if I want to book you for a Dolby Atmos mix?
Just reach out via the contact page on RalphSutton.com. Let me know what you’re working on, and I’ll help you map out a Dolby Atmos game plan tailored to your project.