Amadeus gets down with the mix

ART::Director v1.3.1 from Amadeus Acoustics introduces the Downmix Engine alongside workflow and system control updates. The Downmix Engine translates venue mixes into standardised formats for broadcast, studio preproduction and monitoring applications. It allows sound engineers to run multiple speaker-based downmixes in parallel with the primary spatial mix.

The feature also enables sound designers to create and adjust spatial soundscapes in an offline studio environment using smaller monitoring configurations, including 5.1, stereo and headphones. Downmix systems can be represented as interactive globes within the 3D venue map, allowing teams to simulate how spatial sound movements translate to different loudspeaker configurations before moving into technical rehearsals.

The Downmix Engine supports stereo, 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos formats, as well as bespoke loudspeaker configurations. Each parallel Downmix system includes a size multiplier to adjust the spatial field according to the target loudspeaker configuration, individual fade controls for spatial and performer sources and a dedicated LFE output. Performer sources can also be mapped to the main frontal loudspeakers of the studio setup, separating them from surround and overhead channels.

The update adds Advanced OSC Automation, supporting pattern-based OSC, variables and properties within OSC addressing. The functionality also provides compatibility with ADM OSC. Scaling can be applied to overall boundaries or configured individually for each OSC source. Acoustic Precision Tools now provides additional performer source gain offsets for fill, precedence and subwoofer systems, as well as support for negative loudspeaker delay offsets.

Amadeus has also updated Director/DSP connection handling, automatic network port detection and the built-in connection history log. Other additions include adjustable crossfades between venue snapshots, customisable value mapping and granular fade-out gains within immersive fade zones.