Top 20 DAWs for Dolby Atmos: Ultimate Tier List 2024 (Pro Tools vs. Logic vs. Cubase) 

I somehow missed that Studio One and Logic can also import ADM master files. Thanks everybody for pointing that out. It does not change my ranking though.

Open a blank s1 session and drag a atmos master adm. it opens and can be edited and used.

I would say that one issue with S1 are the panners. Especially when it comes to beds. When panning sounds inside of the bed in S1 you cannot actually unglue the sound from the "walls" you either increase size, or it also gets elevated. You also don't have divergence control like in Pro Tools or Cubendo. If you are using objects in S1 there is a weird thing happens with stereo sources. If you try to drag a sound across Y axis from the fronts to the rears, what happens is that the sound gets narrower. If you want to keep the sounds glued to the "side walls", you actually have to use both Spread and Y Axis. When using automation you have to edit two lanes. In Cubendo you just use Y Axis parameter and that's it, and when using automation it's again just one lane of automation. S1 kind of forces you to pan a certain way, and it has less freedom and less options (especially with the beds), compared to Cubendo. May seem like a nitpick, but panning in Atmos is kind of important, so this is where I look first. Other features are nice, but if I cannot work with panning effectively, everything else feels kind of pointless. :) I would personally say, that Cubendo has the best panning experience, even better than Pro Tools. Even though I enjoy PT more overall, but after getting used to panners in Cubendo everything else feels like a downgrade.

ProTools Studio is also working with the Internal Renderer (and the Dolby Atmos Renderer externally, of course). I use ProTools Studio with UA Apollo x8 and can listen to and mix 7.1 Dolby Atmos on my Mac.

Pro Tools Dolby Atmos Internal Renderer is available for Studio and Ultimate, not just ultimate Thanks for the video Michael! Very good comparison

As some other people mentioned, you can use PT Studio, which isn't cheap but definitely not as expensive as the Ultimate version. I'm a Logic, Cubase and PT user but I've been mostly using logic for about 15 years now. As most people will only ever hear the Apple Renderer's version of our Atmos mixes, it felt like the obvious choice for me. I which it was a little more flexible as far as routing goes and it does have some quirks and bugs but I dont think there is a perfect DAW out there... I'm slowly coming back to Cubase though, cause I do like to be able to make a 7.1.4 bus and the stemming export features are a huge time saver. Thanks for the content Michael, really appreciate it!

Dear Mr. @michaelgwagner, Your videos are a great source of information. Thank you for providing them. Could you please do a Tutorial Video specially tailored to Davinci Resolve 19/ Fairlight? Thanks again. Best.

@10:50....lots of other problems with Pro Tools...won't even start, but many are now ditching it for Cubase.

I don't use Ardour myself, but I have friends who use it on Linux,k. I am pretty sure that they use it with multichannel audio for up to 7th-order ambisonic, so it might be worth double-checking if it is stereo only. Of course, being open-source will also be an important argument for some users. Regarding Reaper, the flexibility in working with various multichannel configurations, including ambisonic, before encoding as Dolby Atmos is a plus. However, the lack of post-fader inserts is a major shortcoming.

Very nice! Thanks!

Great comparaison

I do agree with a lot you say, but to put logic on the same level with Harrison mix bus is not what I think. I think logic has lack of functions with busses I agree, I would like to choose which kind of surround busses I will use, which you can do in pro tools, and the compatibility with ambisonics is not a real issue for guys mixing pop music with it. But! It's your channel hehehe. Gruess Gott! Ihr Oesterreich Accent is cute! (I was a German citizen too :))

Logic can import atmos master files, and they also updated the 'Atmos' plugin in version 11: we now have control over the downmix settings, for example.

S1 can import ADM files..and also pro tools studio also able to import ADM and have internal renderer, difference is pt studio only up to 7.1.4 and 1 bed track

Hi, thanks for the video. I currently use Windows OS and I'm looking to learn more about Dolby Atmos from the beginning. Could you recommend a DAW that's good for Windows users to mix tracks in Dolby Atmos? Additionally, is it necessary to have a proper 5.1 or 7.1 setup, or can I effectively mix and master (Dolby Atmos) using professional headphones?

Studio One imports adm’s

AFAIK UAD Luna Pro is not free (it's $399). The free version has several limitations.

Thanks for this !! Question: you are talking about post-fader inserts? What do you mean with that?

Where is Pyramix?

The main difference between Cubase 13 and Nuendo 13 is that Nuendo has it's own Dolby Atmos Renderer including the panners needed, while Cubase does not have the internal renderer.

Just for u to know guys, Apple made some agreements with Pro tools, all the Intel mac are obsolete now. A little M1 Mac Studio is better than a 9000€ Mac Pro. That's a shame but be aware of it if you want with atmos in Pro tools, because u don't want to spend any money in a intel Mac for it!