- Kongchak Pictures
Dolby Atmos: The Future of Movie Sound
Posted on June 11, 2023
Have you ever watched a movie and been completely drawn into the world on screen? The characters, the story, the visuals – they all work together to create a sense of immersion that can transport you to another place entirely. But what about the sound?
While we often take it for granted, the sound of a movie can be just as important as the visuals when it comes to creating an immersive experience. Enter Dolby Atmos – a revolutionary sound technology that can make any movie better.
Dolby Atmos
Recently we at, Kongchak Pictures, opened a studio dedicated to offering audio post-production services and quality sound design. Dolby Atmos is one of the key technologies we work with, and with its outstanding features, it’s easy to see why. So, what exactly is Dolby Atmos?
In the 90s, the movie industry introduced a sound technology called digital surround sound which had six different sound channels, including one for extra bass, which makes movie sound really powerful. Now, there is Dolby Atmos, which takes things even further with a 3D sound experience. The sound is like it’s happening all around you, as if the audience is really there.
In simple terms, it’s a surround sound technology that allows for a three-dimensional sound experience. Unlike traditional surround sound systems that have speakers placed in specific positions around the room, Dolby Atmos allows sounds to come from anywhere, even from above you.
What does this mean for moviegoers? With Dolby Atmos, you’re no longer just hearing sounds from different directions, you’re fully immersed in the sound experience. Imagine watching a movie where you can hear the raindrops falling around you, feel the rumble of a monster truck passing by, or sense the footsteps of a monster approaching you from behind. That’s the power of Dolby Atmos.
Screening a movie with Dolby Atmos has a huge perk – it can whisk you away to an entirely different world. Take the 2021 blockbuster “Dune” for instance, the use of Dolby Atmos made it feel like you were floating in the emptiness of space. With layers of sound that added depth and emotion to the characters, it was like you were living and breathing the story.
In “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), Dolby Atmos was used to create the illusion of a battle happening all around you, with different sounds and explosions coming from different directions
But Dolby Atmos isn’t just for action movies or big-budget blockbusters. In fact, it can enhance any movie, regardless of genre. In the 2016 musical “La La Land,” Dolby Atmos helped to create a more immersive experience during musical numbers, where the sound of the orchestra and the characters’ singing filled the theater. Even in a more subtle film like “A Quiet Place” (2018), Dolby Atmos was used to create a more atmospheric and tense experience, with the sound of the monsters lurking in the background.
Behind the SOUND
So, how does Dolby Atmos work? In a Dolby Atmos theater, there are speakers placed all around the room, including on the ceiling. Each sound is mixed as an object and given a specific location in the theater, rather than being assigned to a specific speaker. The sound is then rendered in real-time to fit the specific speakers in the theater, giving the audience a truly immersive experience.
At Kongchak Studios we understand that storytelling is not just about the visuals but also the sound. With our Atmos mixing stage and ADR stage, we are able to help films tell a story, set a mood, and create the desired emotion.
An Atmos mixing stage is a specialized audio production studio designed for mixing audio in the Dolby Atmos format. It includes a surround sound speaker system that allows audio engineers to precisely position and mix sounds in three-dimensional space, including overhead speakers that create a sense of height in the audio.
ADR stands for Additional Dialogue Recording, which is a technique used in audio post-production to re-record dialogue that was not captured properly during filming. An ADR stage is a studio specifically designed for recording high-quality dialogue replacement or additional dialogue in a controlled environment with professional microphones, soundproofing, and other specialized equipment. This is crucial for ensuring that dialogue is clear and consistent throughout the film, especially when filming conditions may not have been ideal for capturing audio.
Next Steps for Cambodia Sound
Kongchak’s team of experts works closely with the film’s production team to ensure that every note and rhythm is enhancing and moving along with the story being told. Through this collaboration, characters are brought to life, and the plot unfolds in a way that captivates the audience.
Kongchak Pictures & Studio has a team of experts who work with filmmakers to make sure the sound and music in their movies match the story. This helps bring the characters to life and keeps the audience engaged in the story. With their Atmos mixing studio, Kongchak Pictures can take any movie to the next level, and they’re dedicated to helping filmmakers achieve their creative vision.
At Kongchak we are hoping to do big things Internationally and in the Cambodian film industry with our new, audio post-production facilities and expertise in Dolby Atmos technology. This means we can create super immersive movie experiences that make you feel like you are part of the story. We’re setting a new standard for quality sound productions in the country and helping the local film industry grow.