Learn to Mix & Master in Dolby Atmos 🎶 with Rafael Capone

From an experienced, charting professional with real-world results.

The music industry is moving beyond the limits of stereo. From chart-topping pop hits to cinematic soundtracks, Dolby Atmos has become the new benchmark for immersive listening experiences. More and more artists are demanding Atmos mixes to reach platforms like Apple Music, TIDAL, and Amazon Music, where spatial audio delivers a richer, more engaging connection with listeners.

If you’re ready to elevate your craft, learning to mix and master in Dolby Atmos is not just a skill—it’s a gateway to the future of music production. And who better to guide you than Rafael Capone, a seasoned mixing and mastering engineer who has been at the forefront of Atmos adoption in modern music.

At Soul Asylum Studios, we were early adopters of immersive audio — bringing Dolby-certified, precision-tuned 9.1.6 music mixing rooms to Atlanta when they were almost unheard of. Our spaces were built to spec, approved by Dolby, and have since delivered platinum, gold, and multiple Billboard #1 records — all on SAS Acoustics SA25M monitors designed and built in-house.

What Is Dolby Atmos and Why Does It Matter?

Dolby Atmos is a revolutionary object-based audio format. Unlike stereo (left and right) or surround sound (fixed channels), Atmos allows you to place audio elements in a 3D sound field—above, behind, around, and directly in front of the listener.

For music, this means:

Vocals can float above your head.
Guitars can swirl around the room.
Reverbs and delays can stretch into infinite space.
The listener feels like they’re inside the music, not just hearing it.

In an industry driven by innovation, Atmos has quickly become a premium standard, with labels, artists, and streaming platforms all embracing the format.

Meet Rafael Capone: Your Atmos Guide

Rafael Capone is more than an engineer—he’s a sound sculptor with years of experience in stereo, surround, and now Atmos mixing. His portfolio spans independent artists, commercial campaigns, and international projects, always with an ear for detail and emotion.

Rafael believes Atmos isn’t just about technology—it’s about storytelling through sound. By teaching musicians, producers, and engineers how to harness Atmos, he’s helping them translate their creative visions into immersive masterpieces.

🎯 Trusted by the best: Both Dolby and Apple have used our rooms for exclusive listening events to demonstrate the true power of Dolby Atmos.

📚 Now Available: Hourly Dolby Atmos Training

In either 9.1.6 or 7.1.4, learn:

• Room & session setup

• Best immersive mixing practices

• Technical workflow & Dolby Renderer integration

• Creative approaches for powerful mixes

Train one-on-one or in small groups directly with @mrrafaelcapone — an engineer, studio builder, and monitor designer who mixes at the industry’s highest level and teaches others how to do the same.

📞 Call 404-991-7081 to book your consultation or training and take your immersive mixing skills to an industry-standard level.

Create. Relax. Create.

Getting Started: Tools You’ll Need

Before you dive into your first Atmos mix, Rafael emphasizes the importance of having the right foundation. Here’s what you need:

🎛️ DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

Logic Pro (10.7+) – Ideal for beginners; built-in Atmos tools.
Pro Tools Studio/Ultimate – Industry standard for larger sessions.
Nuendo, Ableton, or Studio One – With routing options for Atmos.

🎚️ Atmos Renderer

Dolby Atmos Renderer app (standalone, for Pro Tools).
Integrated natively in Logic Pro.

🎧 Monitoring Setup

Headphones – Affordable entry point using binaural rendering.
Speaker Setup (7.1.4) – Professional standard with 12 speakers.

🔌 Plugins & Processing Tools

Standard EQ, compression, and reverb plugins.
Atmos-ready reverbs such as Stratus 3D or Altiverb for immersive spatial depth.

Step-by-Step: Mixing in Dolby Atmos with Rafael Capone

1. Session Preparation

Rafael advises starting with a well-balanced stereo mix. Clean up tracks, group instruments, and make sure you have a solid foundation before diving into 3D space.

2. Beds vs. Objects

Bed (7.1.2): Core mix elements like drums, bass, and rhythm guitars.
Objects: Moveable sounds such as vocals, FX, or solo instruments that can be placed dynamically around the listener.

3. 3D Placement

Using the Atmos panner, place each sound strategically.

Lead vocal: stays upfront and center.
Pads & textures: can float above or behind.
FX & ad-libs: ideal for creative movement.

4. Movement & Automation

Atmos shines when elements move. Rafael demonstrates how automating object movement (like swirling synths or spinning ad-libs) creates excitement and immersion.

5. Binaural Rendering for Headphones

Since most listeners experience Atmos through headphones, Rafael stresses checking the binaural render settings (Near, Mid, Far) to ensure the depth translates.

Mastering in Dolby Atmos: Rafael’s Approach

Mastering in Atmos is not about crushing dynamics—it’s about preserving space and impact. Rafael’s process includes:

Checking translation across Atmos speakers, headphones, and stereo downmixes.
Maintaining headroom (around -18 LUFS for beds).
Applying gentle EQ and multiband compression across the mix bus.
Delivering final ADM BWF files with correct metadata for streaming platforms.

Unlike stereo, the Atmos master is less about loudness and more about clarity, balance, and immersive depth.

Deliverables: What Platforms Expect

When Rafael prepares final mixes for clients, he delivers:

ADM (Audio Definition Model) files – the Atmos master.
Stereo downmix – fallback for non-Atmos listeners.
MP4 binaural render – for headphone QC.

This ensures the music translates seamlessly across all playback systems.

Why Learn Dolby Atmos with Rafael Capone?

There are countless tutorials online, but Rafael brings a hands-on, artist-centered approach. His teaching blends:

Technical precision – routing, levels, deliverables.
Creative artistry – using Atmos for emotional storytelling.
Real-world industry insight – what labels and streaming services expect.

With Rafael, you’re not just learning Atmos—you’re learning how to make it work for your career as a producer, mixer, or artist.

Getting Started: Your First Steps

Download Logic Pro or Pro Tools.
Experiment with Atmos panning on a simple mix.
Render a binaural MP4 and listen on headphones.
Study Rafael’s tutorials or workshops for professional insight.
Start building an Atmos-ready portfolio to attract clients and opportunities.

Conclusion: Enter the Future of Music Production

Learning to mix and master in Dolby Atmos is no longer optional—it’s becoming a necessity. With platforms prioritizing immersive audio and fans demanding richer experiences, now is the time to adapt, innovate, and stand out.

Guided by Rafael Capone, you’ll not only master the technical aspects but also unlock new ways to tell stories through sound. Whether you’re producing your own music or working with clients, Atmos is your ticket to the next era of audio.

🎶 Step into the 3D world of sound. Learn from Rafael Capone. Mix with intention. Master with precision. And create music that truly surrounds your listeners.