Skip to content

Output Routing & Devices

Orbit renders ADM content to a 7.1.4 speaker layout, then derives binaural and stereo outputs from that same speaker field. This page explains how channels are mapped to your output device and how to customize routing when needed.

Default channel mapping (7.1.4)

ADM speaker labels map to outputs in Dolby Atmos order:

OutputSpeakerNotes
1LFront Left
2RFront Right
3CCenter
4LFESubwoofer (no positional panning)
5LsSide Left
6RsSide Right
7LrsRear Left
8RrsRear Right
9LtfTop Front Left
10RtfTop Front Right
11LtrTop Rear Left
12RtrTop Rear Right
  • Beds: each DirectSpeakers bed channel is routed to its labeled speaker.
  • Objects: panned across the 7.1.4 set (excluding LFE).
  • LFE: never receives positional panning.

Auto-switching for smaller devices

  • If the selected output device has fewer than 12 channels, Orbit automatically switches to Binaural mode (to avoid silent channels). You can still pick Stereo fold-down manually.
  • Channel mapping resets to default when you change devices; this prevents stale routing.

Custom channel mapping

  • When a 7.1.4-capable device is selected, you can remap ADM channels to device outputs in the Output configuration panel.
  • “Reset mapping” returns to the 1:1 default above.
  • For most QC, keep the default mapping so ADM-to-speaker intent is preserved.

Example: Audient ORIA (16-channel layout)

Product link: https://audient.com/products/monitor-controllers/oria/overview/

ORIA presents 16 outputs: L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs, Lrs, Rrs, Lw, Rw, Ltf, Rtf, Ltm, Rtm, Ltr, Rtr.

Map Orbit’s 7.1.4 to ORIA like this:

Orbit ADM ChannelORIA OutputNotes
L1Left
R2Right
C3Center
LFE4LFE
Ls5Left Surround
Rs6Right Surround
Lrs7Left Rear Surround
Rrs8Right Rear Surround
Ltf11Left Top Front
Rtf12Right Top Front
Ltr15Left Top Rear
Rtr16Right Top Rear

ORIA's wides (9=Lw, 10=Rw) and top middles (13=Ltm, 14=Rtm) are unused for Atmos 7.1.4. Leave them unmapped in Orbit.

Device refresh

  • Use the device picker’s Refresh Devices if you hot-swap interfaces or AirPods. AirPods head tracking availability follows the selected output device.

Orbit user documentation