RECORDING WEEK 2023: We understand the world of stereo: the audio signal consists of two channels, and then differences in level between one signal appearing in both channels create the impression of the sound appearing from somewhere between the two speakers. Those levels can be changed and adapted, and a sonic object can be made to appear in any place along the line, or indeed move around it.
Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio take this further. The concept is simple enough: instead of having just two speakers as in a stereo setup, or five speakers and a sub as in a 5.1 surround sound system, Dolby Atmos allows you to play back over whatever system you do have, and will decode the same signal differently, but with compatibility, which means that you can play a full-range Dolby Atmos mix both over a theatre setup or simply by using those two speakers in a home stereo formulation.
