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GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Home Theater sessions are 48.00 kHz, 24 bit, 23.976 fps unless source material is 96.00 kHz.
  • If source material is 96.00 kHz, keep all sessions at 96.00 kHz, 24 bit, 23.976 fps. If necessary, a 48K exception can be made for the LtRt printmaster if using a surround-encoding plug-in that only works at 48K (e.g. Neyrinck)
  • See SPE home theater printmaster specifications for specifics on creating home theater mixes and M&E’s.

FORMATTING:

Home Theater mixes are generally done in long form, a picture reference will be supplied. In cases where it is agreed to mix in reels, all reels for a given element can be in the same session, hour = reel#. For stems and mix sessions ONLY, all stem types for each reel can be in the same session, hour = reel#

All sessions except mix sessions are to be delivered consolidated and flattened, with all audio files referenced by the session placed in the audio files folder for that session by doing a “save copy in”. Mix sessions do not require rendering, but do require “save copy in”

DELIVER FOR ALL NEW RELEASE TITLES:

  1. 5.1 printmaster (PM) session
  2. LtRt printmaster (PM) session
  3. 5.1 fully-filled M&E supersession (MESP). THE LAYOUT IS IDENTICAL TO THE THEATRICAL MESP. This contains a composite 5.1 M&E with one or more 5.0 multichannel optionals, 5.1 Dialog Stem guide and 5.1 Crowd/Group Stem guide (if created for the title). It must be a composite M&E. This cannot be M&E stems (which are delivered separately #6 below). NOTE THAT THE MAPS AND NOTES TRACKS MUST BE COPIED INTO THIS SESSION FROM THE THEATRICAL 5.1 MESP.
  4. LtRt fully-filled ME supersession (MESP). This contains LtRt M&E with two mono optionals (mono optionals are a crash down of multichannel optionals. Mixer to determine best way to combine the multichannel optionals to two mono optionals on a per-title basis.)
  5. 5.1 “wide” home theater stems session (SMSP) (same stem types as theatrical)
  6. 5.1 “wide” music and effects stems session (MESMSP) (same ME stem types as theatrical, same layout as PM stems but Dx stem is replaced by Fill M&E Stem.) Note that some M&E stems will have different content than PM stems (for example, due to content being pulled to an optional or additional foley added to a foley stem.)
  7. 5.1 fully-filled effects stem (FFXSM). The fully-filled effects stem is a combined effects stem consisting of Backgrounds, Foley and Effects, plus the production effects and fill from the Fill M&E stem. Adding music to the FFX stem equals the fully-filled M&E. The fully-filled effects stem is in its own Pro Tools session, not in the same session with the M&E and Optionals (MESP).
  8. 5.1 Home Theater Mix sessions (MIX). These contain the source elements and automation to get from the theatrical mix to the home theater mix. (For example, theatrical stems with mix automation.) Mix sessions must be consolidated (“save copy in”) so the audio files are self-contained.
  • The below mix sessions must be delivered. They can be combined to a single session, or any combo of multiple sessions, depending on mixer preference. It is suggested that sessions be combined for ease in delivery.
  1. Home Theater 5.1 Printmaster mix session
  2. Home Theater LtRt Printmaster mix session
  3. Home Theater 5.1 Stems mix session
  4. Home Theater 5.1 MESP mix session
  5. Home Theater LtRt MESP mix session
  6. Home Theater 5.1 M&E stems mix session
NOTES on delivering MIX sessions:
  • One common approach is one session with the printmasters and stems and another with the M&E’s and M&E stems. In this case, the first session is rendered with the 5.1, LtRt printmaster and 5.1 stem audio files, and the second session is rendered with the 5.1 M&E, 5.0 optionals, LtRt M&E, mono optionals, dialog guide and 5.1 M&E stems audio files.
  • If other soundfield configurations are being delivered (e.g. Atmos), can nest similar mix sessions together. See “Nesting” in the Atmos section

FOR TITLES THAT ALSO HAVE 7.1

(The below are added. They may be in reels or long form. If in reels, all reels can be in the same session, hour = reel#

  1. 7.1 printmaster (PM) session
  2. 7.1 fully-filled M&E supersession (MESP). LAYOUT IS IDENTICAL TO THE THEATRICAL 7.1 MESP. This contains a composite 7.1 M&E with one or more 7.0 multichannel optionals, 7.1 Dialog Stem guide and 7.1 Crowd/Group Stem guide (if created for the title). It must be a composite M&E. This cannot be M&E stems (which are delivered separately #3 below). NOTE THAT THE MAPS AND NOTES TRACKS MUST BE COPIED INTO THIS SESSION FROM THE THEATRICAL 7.1 MESP.
  3. 7.1 “wide” home theater stems session (SMSP) (same stem types as theatrical)
  4. 7.1 “wide” music and effects stems session (MESMSP) (same ME stem types as theatrical, same layout as PM stems but Dx stem is replaced by Fill M&E Stem.) Note that some M&E stems will have different content than PM stems (for example, due to content being pulled to an optional or additional foley added to a foley stem.)
  5. 7.1 fully-filled effects stem (FFXSM). The fully-filled effects stem is a combined effects stem consisting of Backgrounds, Foley and Effects, plus the production effects and fill from the Fill M&E stem. Adding music to the FFX stem equals the fully-filled M&E. The fully-filled effects stem is in its own Pro Tools session, not in the same session with the M&E and Optionals (MESP).
  6. 7.1 Home Theater Mix sessions (MIX). These contain the source elements and automation to get from the theatrical mix to the home theater mix. (For example, theatrical stems with mix automation.) Mix sessions must be consolidated (“save copy in”) so the audio files are self-contained.
  • The below mix sessions must be delivered. They can be combined to a single session, or any combo of multiple sessions, depending on mixer preference. It is suggested that sessions be combined for ease in delivery.
  1. Home Theater 7.1 Printmaster mix session
  2. Home Theater 7.1 Stems mix session
  3. Home Theater 7.1 MESP mix session
  4. Home Theater 7.1 M&E stems mix session
NOTES on delivering MIX sessions:
  • One common approach is one session with the printmaster and stems and another with the M&E’s and M&E stems. In this case, the first session is rendered with the 7.1 printmaster and stem audio files, and the second session is rendered with the 7.1 M&E, 7.0 optionals, dialog guide and 7.1 M&E stems audio files.
  • Can nest these with the 5.1 mix sessions. If other soundfield configurations are being delivered (e.g. Atmos), can nest similar mix sessions together. See “Nesting” in the Atmos section.

FOR TITLES THAT HAVE ATMOS:

(The below are added. These are long form and are conformed to the IMF proxy picture with 10 second head pop and 20 second tail pop)

  1. Atmos printmaster (PM) session. This contains a single printmaster composite bed and all objects, it cannot contain stems. See note below regarding mixes with all objects.
  2. Atmos fully-filled M&E (MESP). This contains a single M&E composite bed and all relevant objects. It cannot contain M&E stems (these are delivered in #4 below.) THE LAYOUT IS IDENTICAL TO THE THEATRICAL MESP. This session will also contain one or more 7.1.2 multichannel optionals, 7.1.2 Dialog Stem guide and 7.1.2 Crowd/Group Stem guide (if created for the title). Any Dialog, optional Dialog and Crowd/Group objects are present but muted. Note, any optional material that is present in the 5.1 M&E must also be appropriately presented in the Atmos M&E session. See note below regarding mixes with all objects. NOTE THAT THE MAPS AND NOTES TRACKS MUST BE COPIED INTO THIS SESSION FROM THE THEATRICAL ATMOS MESP.
  3. Atmos “wide” stems session (SMSP). This contains all stem beds and all objects. See note below regarding mixes with all objects.
  4. (Required for new titles, optional for Library) Atmos “wide” music and effects stems session (MESMSP)(same layout as PM stems but Dx stem is replaced by Fill M&E Stem.) Note that some M&E stems will have different content than PM stems (for example, due to content being pulled to an optional or additional foley added to a foley stem.)
  5. Atmos fully-filled effects stem (FFXSM). The fully-filled effects stem is a single composite stem bed with pertinent objects (not all objects). The FFXSM is a combined effects stem consisting of Backgrounds, Foley and Effects, plus the production effects and fill from the Fill M&E stem. Adding music to the FFX stem equals the fully-filled M&E. The fully-filled effects stem is delivered in its own Pro Tools session, NOT in the same session with the M&E and Optionals (MESP).
  6. Atmos Mix Sessions (MIX). These contain the source elements and automation to get from the theatrical mix to the home theater mix. For example, if this is an upmix, the mix session is elements, stems, objects and mix automation. If this is a home mix of a theatrical Atmos, this is the Atmos theatrical stems session with objects and mix automation. Mix sessions must be consolidated (“save copy in”) so the audio files are self-contained.
  • The below mix sessions must be delivered. They can be combined to a single session, or any combo of multiple sessions, depending on mixer preference. It is suggested that sessions be combined for ease in delivery.
  1. Home Theater Atmos Printmaster mix session
  2. Home Theater Atmos Stems mix session
  3. Home Theater Atmos MESP mix session
  4. Home Theater Atmos M&E stems mix session
NOTES on delivering MIX sessions:
  • One common approach is one session with the printmaster and stems and another with the M&E’s and M&E stems. In this case, the first session is rendered with the Atmos printmaster and stem audio files, and the second session is rendered with the Atmos M&E, optionals, dialog guide and M&E stems audio files.
  • Nesting: It is recommended to self-contain just once for ATM + 7.1+ 5.1 + LtRt PM and Stems, placing these in a folder that includes separate sessions inside; and just once for ATM + 7.1+ 5.1 + LtRt M&E and M&E stems, placing these in a folder that includes separate sessions inside. These two MIX assets will cover all the formats.
  1. File deliverables. The below files are not created on the mix stage, they are done at Sony Pictures’ Post Media Center (PMC).
  2. Atmos DAMF file (long form). This contains a single printmaster composite bed and all objects, it cannot contain stems. (Note, this is actually a folder or zip with 3 files).
  3. IAB (Immersive Audio Bitstream) file (long form). This MXF file is exported from the DAMF file in the RMU or Dolby Conversion Tool.
  4. ADM (ADM-BWF) (Audio Definition Model Broadcast Wave) file (long form). This interleaved .wav is exported from the DAMF file in the RMU or Dolby Conversion Tool.

NOTE ON LIBRARY TITLE ATMOS UPMIXES

The upmixed Atmos M&E should be as best possible considering the source materials. It should be created from the upmixed Atmos printmaster stems by muting dialog, and filled as best possible by copying in material from the 5.1 M+E. The 5.1 M&E is not to be upmixed, the mix is to come from the upmixed Atmos stems.

Deliveries 1-3 are the same as above. Delivery 4 is the same stem layout the library title originally had, and can include additional stems for added sound design if appropriate. Delivery 5, 6 and Delivery 7 IV are optional and depend on the nature of the available material on the title.

NOTES ON ATMOS MIXES CONTAINING ALL OBJECTS

  • If the Atmos stems and printmasters are recorded simultaneously, they must be split up into two sessions after the fact per the above. Each will contain all objects.
  • The Atmos stems session is to contain all stem beds and all objects. If the Atmos mix was created with only objects and no stem beds, or if there is only an LFE track in the stem beds, the stem bed tracks should still be there and should contain silence (an audio file containing all zeros). The pro tools tracks are named “MOS” in addition to the bed channel name (e.g. “Left-MOS”), and the audio file name would have “MOS.L” at the end. In addition, a “read me” is put into the session folder explaining the layout of the stems session.
  • The Atmos printmaster session is to contain a single composite printmaster bed and all objects. If the Atmos mix was created with only objects and no stem beds, or if there is only an LFE track in the stem beds, the stem bed tracks should still be there and should contain silence (an audio file containing all zeros). The pro tools tracks are named “MOS” in addition to the bed channel name (e.g. “Left-MOS”), and the audio file name would have “MOS.L” at the end. In addition, a “read me” is put into the session folder explaining the layout of the session.

APPENDIX A: HEAD AND TAIL FORMAT

Table 1: Head Format: Long Form Audio Files


Table 1: Tail Format: Long Form Audio Files


APPENDIX B: DAMF FILE CREATION (to be done at Sony Pictures Post Media Center (PMC))

Note, the DAMF file is not created on the mix stage, it is created at Sony Pictures Post Media Center (PMC)

DAMF file creation procedure to create an exact file start of 00:59:30:00.

  • If mixing 96.00 kHz Atmos, DAMF files are still to be 48.00 kHz. Record Atmos stems and PM at 96.00 kHz, SRC just before RMU.
  • After recording the first 15 seconds of the DAMF file and stopping, verify the .atmos file offset is 3570 seconds by opening it in a text utility. It can also be viewed in a RMU menu. This corresponds to 59.5 minutes x 60 sec/min. If it is not exactly 3570, the file must be created again prior to proceeding with the record.

Table 3: DAMF Creation Procedure


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