FAQ

Common questions about Orbit, organized by topic.

File support

What file types can Orbit open?

Orbit opens ADM BWF files — broadcast wave files (.wav) that contain ADM metadata describing beds, objects, and their automation. These are the standard master format for immersive audio content.

Regular stereo or multichannel WAV files without ADM metadata won't load. If you're not sure whether a file has ADM metadata, try loading it — Orbit will tell you if the required metadata is missing.

Can Orbit open MP4 or other video files with Atmos audio?

No. Orbit is designed specifically for ADM BWF files, which are the master format used in professional workflows. Consumer formats like MP4 with Dolby Atmos use different encoding (Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby TrueHD) and are not supported.

What's the maximum file size Orbit can handle?

Orbit can handle large ADM files — there's no hard limit. However, import time and waveform generation scale with file size. For very large files, the initial load may take longer, but subsequent opens are faster thanks to waveform caching.

Can Orbit export or render audio?

No. Orbit is a playback and verification tool, not an authoring environment. You can export PDF reports (via File → Export PDF) that document the ADM content, but you cannot bounce or render audio.

Playback and monitoring

Does Orbit sound exactly like the Dolby Renderer?

Not necessarily. Orbit uses its own rendering pipeline optimized for QC workflows. The goal is accurate representation of spatial intent, not bit-for-bit matching with Dolby's implementation.

For final deliverable validation where exact rendering matters, use Dolby tools. Orbit is designed to help you catch issues quickly, not to replace certification workflows.

What's the difference between Direct and VBAP bed routing?

Direct routing maps bed channels straight to their labeled speakers. A 7.1 bed plays through L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, Lrs, Rrs exactly as authored.

VBAP routing (Vector Base Amplitude Panning) distributes bed content across the 7.1.4 speaker set for smoother spatial coverage. This can be useful when the bed format is smaller than your speaker layout.

Most of the time, Direct routing preserves the original intent more faithfully. VBAP is available when you want to hear how the bed might translate to a fuller speaker set.

Can I monitor in 5.1 instead of 7.1.4?

Orbit's internal rendering is based on 7.1.4, with binaural and stereo derived from that. There's no dedicated 5.1 mode yet, but you can use the Solos & Mutes panel to mute the height speakers to approximate a 5.1 experience.

Why does binaural sound different from other Atmos renderers?

Orbit uses speaker-based binaural rendering: it first renders to a virtual 7.1.4 speaker layout, then applies HRTF processing to those speaker feeds for headphone playback.

Some renderers use object-based binaural rendering, where each object gets its own HRTF processing. The two approaches sound different — speaker-based has a more room-like character, while object-based can feel more separated. Neither is wrong; they're different tools for different purposes.

We hope to bring both approaches to Orbit in the future for full flexibility.

Neither is wrong; they're different philosophies. Orbit's approach is designed to help you understand how the mix will translate to physical speakers.

For more detail, see Playback Approach.

Licensing and privacy

Do I need internet to use Orbit?

It depends on your license type:

• Trial licenses have a 24-hour offline grace period. You'll need to connect at least once a day for license validation.
• Paid licenses (Standard, Educational, Organizational) only need internet for initial activation. After that, they work offline for up to 30 days before needing to reconnect for license refresh.

All playback, analysis, and QC features run entirely on your machine — the internet connection is only for license validation.

Does Orbit upload my files or track my usage?

No. Your ADM files stay on your machine. Waveform caches are written locally next to your ADM files. Head tracking data (from AirPods or camera) is used only for binaural rendering and never leaves your device.

The only network traffic is license validation and optional update checks. See Data & Privacy for full details.

Can I use Orbit on multiple machines?

Yes. Standard and Educational licenses include 2 activations, so you can use Orbit on a studio workstation and a laptop, for example. If you need more activations, deactivate a machine first or contact support about organizational licensing.

Organizational licenses can have custom activation counts to match your team's needs, and admins can revoke licenses remotely through the admin dashboard.

Is Orbit affiliated with Dolby?

No. Orbit is developed by South Loop Studios and is independent of Dolby Laboratories. Orbit is not endorsed by or affiliated with Dolby. Always use Dolby tools for certification and final deliverable validation when required.