Monitoring 7.1.4 through a multichannel audio interface (without HDMI AVR)

FMOD Studio
1

Hi everyone,

I’m an indie game audio designer and composer currently working with FMOD Studio + Unity. Up until now I’ve been developing games using stereo and binaural (headphone) monitoring, but I’m planning to build a dedicated 7.1.4 monitoring room for future projects.

While researching the hardware I’ll need, I found conflicting information regarding the intended monitoring workflow in FMOD Studio on Windows.

From the Dolby documentation, the recommended workflow for Dolby Atmos seems to be:

FMOD Studio → Windows Sonic / Windows Spatial Audio → HDMI → Dolby Atmos AVR

However, I’m wondering about a different scenario that is common in professional audio studios.

Suppose I have a multichannel audio interface with 12 discrete analog outputs, each connected directly to a powered monitor in a 7.1.4 configuration.

My questions are:

  1. Can FMOD Studio monitor a native 7.1.4 speaker layout directly through such an audio interface using ASIO or WASAPI, without involving Windows Sonic, Dolby Access or an HDMI Atmos endpoint?
  2. If yes, is this workflow officially supported and recommended for game audio development?
  3. If not, is the only supported workflow for monitoring 7.1.4 in FMOD on Windows to output through Windows Spatial Audio / Windows Sonic to an Atmos-capable HDMI device (typically an AVR)?
  4. If direct 7.1.4 monitoring through a multichannel interface is supported, does FMOD rely on the Windows speaker configuration (WASAPI), or can it address the interface’s output channels independently (for example through ASIO)?

My primary goal is developing and auditing game audio for Unity projects, not authoring Dolby Atmos cinema mixes in a DAW. I’d like to hear exactly what FMOD renders during gameplay while using a multichannel monitoring system.

I searched through the documentation and forum, but I couldn’t find a definitive answer regarding direct monitoring through multichannel professional interfaces.

Thanks in advance!

2

I researched this a few years ago and at the time your assumption number 3 was correct - the supported workflow is using Windows Sonic via hdmi into a Dolby Atmos capable receiver. I tested this an despite some teething issues, it does work.

The next time I need to do this, I plan on getting the ferrofish adat expander so I can go from the analogue outs of the receiver to the ferrofish, then via adat to the adat ins on my interface. This would let me use my active speakers plugged into the audio interface and be able to switch between DAW and game audio from the hdmi out.

Its convoluted, but seemed like the best option. The interface I went with is the Audient Oria, but any 12 out interface should work if it has enough adat ins.

The receiver I went with is the Marantz AV7705. Quite expensive, but great sound quality and is not an amplifier, its just a receiver, since I intended on using my powered speakers this seemed the best option. There my be cheaper solutions now though.

If you find a better way do let everyone know!