Does not work properly in 12.6. Only plays 5.1

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20 points

Does not work properly in 12.6. Only plays 5.1

7.1.4 setup for Dolby Atmos. Works flawlessly with Logic and in AudioMIDI Setup. But when playing ATMOS songs from Apple Music (just got a subscription for this!!!) it does not work properly. It only plays 5.1 and not only that, it does not use the back surrounds, it uses the mid speakers . . . VERY buggy, VERY weird. Tried a whole bunch of stuff but nothing works. Apparently, from my online research, it worked up to 12.4 . . . Anyone with similar issues???

Mac Studio, macOS 12.6

Posted on Oct 20, 2022 07:09 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

destiny241

Community Specialist

Oct 22, 2022 11:04 AM in response to macmav

Hello macmav,

This may be due to the supported models for Dolby Atmos. Are you using one of the following to listen to this content?

If you choose Automatic, here’s what you need

Supported songs automatically play in Dolby Atmos when you're listening with:

- AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (3rd generation), or Beats Fit Pro with Spatial Audio turned on

AirPods (1st or 2nd generation)

- BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, or Beats Studio Buds

- The built-in speakers on a MacBook Pro (2018 model or later), MacBook Air (2018 model or later), or iMac (2021 model)

If you choose Always On, here’s what you need

If you want to use other headphones that don’t support automatic playback, choose Always On.

Resource: About Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos in Apple Music - Apple Support

If you connect a pair of supported headphones, does it playback correctly? That will help us to narrow down the issue.

Wishing you well, take care.

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Answer 2

macmav Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 24, 2022 03:43 AM in response to destiny241

Hi there. Thanks for your reply. This whole thing is a mystery! I cannot get a clear answer from either Apple or Dolby for that matter and I'm sure it has to do with DRM.

Anyways, yes my AirPods Max are playing the Spatial Audio/Atmos content with headtracking which is OK, but, I have no way of knowing what it actually plays. Could be 5.1, 7.1 or whatever it is obviously being folded down to binaural with the Spatial Audio encoder.

The hardware you listed say "built-in speakers." What does that mean? That only those devices listed with built-in speakers can correctly decode Dolby Atmos? Does it mean that my brand new Mac Studio M1 Max does not include a Dolby Atmos decoder? Is that only for playback from music services? Because Logic Pro certainly supports it, AND it is also testing out properly on Audio MIDI setup with a 7.1.4 system using an external converter. But, Apple music ONLY decodes "Surround" 5.1 while the song shows the ATMOS logo which is supposed to be 7.1.2 (at least) or 7.1.4. Or does the Dolby Atmos logo refer to Dolby Atmos ONLY being available when played binaurally through compatible headphones (eg. AirPod Maxs)? Catching my drift???

HDMI 2.1 in the new Apple TV box, through a 3-6K$ receiver, seems to be the only way that real Atmos (7.1.4) plays. And that certainly looks like a DRM issue.

So, asking the question a different way. Can my Mac Studio 2022 M1 Max play real Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 through Apple Music and an external converter to a 7.1.4 speaker array (without a receiver or the latest Apple TV 4K)? (again, it does, and perfectly so, via Logic Pro).

Thanks!!!

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Answer 3

karina184

Community Specialist

Oct 24, 2022 08:20 AM in response to macmav

Hey macmav,

At this point, we would recommend reaching out to Apple Support. They will have the necessary tools to investigate into this matter more with you: Get Support.

Have a great rest of your day.

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Answer 4

macmav Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 24, 2022 10:59 AM in response to karina184

Thanks Karina. I did already. And they are telling me the exact same things you are telling me in this thread. Still no answers to any of my questions. Just referrals to support documents for consumers . . .

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Answer 5

Oct 30, 2022 03:32 PM in response to macmav

I have this question too. I have a Mac mini 2018 which I am mixing 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos in Logic Pro with. I have setup my Atmos audio hardware channel outs in Audio/ Midi app. I am using a MOTU usb audio interface to my 10 powered studio monitors.

I want to be able to be able to listen to my bounced encoded file , but there doesn’t seem to be a native way to do this. I do not even see a spatial audio option in Apple Music. I can play 5.1 surround via appletv app. This does seem to be a constriction for content creators to necessitate the expensive purchase of Dolby’s content creator suite of applications.

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Answer 6

macmav Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 31, 2022 05:51 AM in response to Jeremy Scidmore

Plus receivers, etc. It is a mess right now and it has to do with a myriad of factors including DRM, backwards compatibility, hardware licensing, etc.

Having said that, sure, it's still the Wild West, it might be getting a bit easier. As for Apple Music it does play Atmos. Open Apple Music then go to Music > Preferences > General. You should see Dolby Atmos under Audio Quality. Select Automatic. That will get 5.1 to your speakers (which is Dolby Surround and NOT Atmos which is 7.1.4, per the Dolby spec). Make sure you did the AudioMidi setup properly.

If you are all updated (not Ventura), and you don't see what I described above in Apple Music then there's probably some hardware limitation (ie. 2018 Mac Minis not supporting Atmos)

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Does not work properly in 12.6. Only plays 5.1

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