10 Instances Where You Need More than Dolby Atmos

Recently we wrote, ‘There’s Absolutely No Downside to Dolby Atmos’. The article makes the point that whilst Dolby Atmos sounds fantastic in a cinema where you're a spectator to a scene, for a fully immersive experience you absolutely need to use a format which can provide an audio feed from "below".  

It’s hard to list many sounds that actually come from above: there are birds obviously, climbing animals, insects, avalanches, landslides, planes, helicopters, waterfalls... And then it starts getting difficult. 

So, here are top ten instances that call for sound design from below in which you need another layer of immersion to create a realistic effect: 

1. Foley: Footsteps, clothing, writing, cutting, chopping... Nearly everything done with your hands.

2. Water: Seas, rivers, streams, lakes, swimming pools... Everything except waterfalls, aqueducts overflow pipes and rain.

3. Animals: Cats, dogs, rabbits, sheep, pigs, lions, tigers... Any animal that doesn’t climb, fly or is taller than you. 

4. Musical Instruments: Guitar, saxophone, piano, drums, cello, xylophone... etc. 

5. Transport: Bicycles, pushchairs, skateboards, cars, motorbikes... Most transportation except flying. 

6. Tools: Saw, spade, trowel, jigsaw, screwdriver, grinder... Anything you don’t need to reach up for. 

7. Sport: Football, running, rugby, swimming, hockey...  Quidditch would be an exception, along with squash.

8. Technology: Laptops, record players, arcade games, typewriters... Most except mobile phones and VR headsets.

9. Humans and Crowds: Children, applause, falling, heartbeat, shaking hands... Most cases except people taller or sat above you.

10. Doors: Knocker, letterbox, doormat, creaks, open, slam... Most unless you live on the ground floor of a high-rise.