The introduction of new music technologies like Dolby Atmos is enhancing the music experience to a whole new level. Recently at the Hindusthan Records heritage building studio, two old tracks of Rabindro Sangeet namely Eki Labonye and Ontaro Mamo, were remastered by Dolby Atmos. These tracks provide an immersive and richer music experience which will bring the audience closer to the artists vision and feelings.

Verus Ferreira spoke to Dolby spokesperson Ashim Mathur, Senior Regional Director, Emerging Markets, Dolby Laboratories to know more.

Verus Ferreira: Could you explain more about Dolby Atmos Music and how its enhancing music experience for the end consumers?

Ashim Mathur: Dolby Atmos Music is a completely new way to create and experience music that delivers artistic expression at its fullest capacity, forging a deeper connection between artists and their fans. Music in Dolby goes beyond the ordinary listening experience by immersing you in the song, revealing details with unparalleled clarity and depth. It gives artists more space and the freedom to fully realize their vision and unlock new levels of emotion in their music for their fans. Whether it’s hearing the layers of instruments move all around you, catching the subtle breath a singer takes between lyrics, or feeling a bass drop wash over you, nothing brings you inside your music like Dolby Atmos.

VF: Tell us about this collaboration with INRECO?

AS: The geographic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of India contributes to a broad range of musical styles within Indian music. For decades, INRECO Entertainment has be providing an opportunity to artists and musicians from across India. 

With such a great legacy, we feel, we are fortunate that we got the opportunity to collaborate with INRECO and embark on this journey of recreating Rabindro Sangeet in Dolby Atmos. Recently, at Hindusthan Records Heritage Building Studio, two old tracks, namely Eki Labonye and Ontaro Mamo were mixed and released in Dolby Atmos. We are not limiting our association to just Rabindro Sangeet and look forward to creating more and more tracks and add a new flavour to music from across the country. It has been our great honour for us to work together with INRECO entertainment and be able to revolutionize music in India.

VF: How will Dolby Atmos improve the listening experience of Rabindro Sangeet?

AS: When you will listen to music in Dolby Atmos, individual elements of the song are heard and felt from all around. Music experience becomes richer and fuller, and the listener is more connected to the music and its feelings. Dolby Atmos goes beyond ordinary listening experiences enabling the listener to hear the sounds with incredible clarity and detail which are lost with stereo recordings. It automatically delivers the highest-quality audio that a streaming service and device can support, so the music always sounds its best whether at home or on the go. New, surprising details are revealed with Dolby Atmos, making the listener feel like they are in the mind of the artist while they were creating the song. We are confident that the consumers will enjoy Rabindro Sangeet in Dolby Atmos.

VF:How are you enabling other music artists/creators/studio owners in the music industry?

AS: As per the recent consumer study by Kantar study, 9 out of 10 music listeners believe superior audio quality is important while streaming music on smart phones. At the same time, 2/3rd of the music listeners are satisfied with the Dolby Atmos experience. 

India has a vast musical landscape, Indian consumers are increasingly seeking an enhanced and immersive music experience, one that delivers great clarity, depth, and detail. At Dolby, our aim is to cater to this evolving demand and provide the best immersive experience to the listeners. We work with the entire ecosystem spanning creation, delivery, and playback. For artists and music enthusiasts, Dolby Atmos is a new way to create music that allows them to share their music with unprecedented fidelity while preserving creative intent. For the consumers, no matter what you’re listening to, songs are now richer and fuller, unlocking new levels of emotions in Dolby Atmos. Whether you’re listening to music at home or on the go, you can experience the difference through leading streaming services and a wide range of compatible devices in market.

VF: What are your future plans for the music industry?

AS: In the last year, content consumption of all forms, skyrocketed. As per a recent study by Cyber Media Research (CMR), Indian consumers are now prioritizing and seeking premium audio in streaming music experiences especially on their smart phones with audio quality being the top-most driver (69%) influencing consumer Smartphone purchases.

From a need gap perspective especially for streaming music, music fans crave a deeper connection with their music and artists. The survey revealed that (79%) consumers seek Dolby Atmos-enabled audio music experiences for their favourite content. This is how Dolby Atmos Music aims to fill the gap and fulfill consumer’s aspirations by providing an experience with songs that can now be heard and felt all around, unlocking new levels of emotion, and drawing the fan closer to the artists. We see Dolby Atmos Music being the format that creative’s and consumers both will embrace for the music they love in the times to come.

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira