Fairlight + Dolby Atmos + Feature Film

Greetings,
I've just finished editing a feature film in 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos using Fairlight's built in Dolby Atmos feature. First, some specs: I was using DR Studio v 19 for most of it, but upgraded to 20 with no noticeable improvements to Fairlight workflow)), Mac OS Sequoia 15.5 on 27 iMac Intel, 10 core, 128 Gb ram, LaCie Raid array. (I was sent a Davinci Resolve project by the editors with 89 audio tracks that I condensed to 29 tracks.)

I kept a notebook during the edit which I've included below.

[i][i][b]Davinci Resolve
Fairlight Issue List

Here are some reasons why Fairlight is not ready for prime time as far as sound post for feature films:
1. Can't copy effects from clip to clip
2. No keyboard shortcut for pencil tool
3. No ability to create custom shortcuts for items not on the list
4. No ability to put tracks into a folder to minimize and organize timeline space
5. No ability to automate effect on/off parameters
6. When editing in surround, can't copy automation for pan from clip to clip
7. No keyboard shortcut for “clip attributes”
8. After making an audio edit, there's a huge lag between pushing play or space bar and when the movie starts playing (sometimes 6 or 7 seconds on a fast computer)
9. When using 3-D panner, no ability within panner window to switch to another track
10. When adjusting EQ effects for clips in Inspector, no ability to select multiple clips and group adjust parameters
11. No ability to float mixer window or move it to third monitor to get it out of the way of the timeline
12. No ability to float meter bridge window
13. No ability to float Inspector window (i.e., move to 3rd monitor)
14. No ability to determine the timecode in and out points of an audio clip on the timeline.
15. In audio clip attributes, the timecode section says current timecode is 01:00:00:00 no matter where the playhead or in point is.
16. No ability to relink clip on timeline.
17. No ability to make a compound clip in Fairlight panel.
18. No ability in Fairlight to combine audio clips into one clip to apply an effect. If combined in edit as “new compound clip”, there is no audio present in Fairlight.

Granted, this was my first experience using Dolby Atmos and Fairlight to edit the sound for a feature. Still, after almost 5 months of torturous slogging in Fairlight, I cannot recommend using this software for feature film sound editing (with or without Dolby Atmos). For anyone considering, just buy the $300 stand alone Dolby Atmos renderer and use a dedicated professional DAW, at least until Black Magic can get Fairlight up to prime time.

A few pointers that might be beneficial.

Can't copy effects from clip to clip

Clip Attributes with the Plugins option will copy effects across Clips.

No ability to put tracks into a folder to minimize and organize timeline space

Timeline View Option's Timeline Views provides one option to organise a Timeline. Right click a Preset to open View Settings.

From a Fairlight Console, Preset Layouts (Preset Track Views), User Layouts, and User Sets provide options to focus certain Tracks or Faders for editing or mixing.

No ability to automate effect on/off parameters

The Insert is automatable and the automation curve displayed via Misc > Insert In from the Track header's automation dropdown.

Individual plugin enables are also automatable and the automation curve may be displayed via Plugins > VST/AU Plugin > On/Off from the Track header's automation dropdown.

When editing in surround, can't copy automation for pan from clip to clip

Mark Source Clip, copy automation between Gates, Mark Destination Clip, paste automation.

Alternatively, paste at the CTI which acts as the Edit Point.

No keyboard shortcut for “clip attributes”

Keyboard Customisation > Fairlight Timeline > Clip Attributes

After making an audio edit, there's a huge lag between pushing play or space bar and when the movie starts playing (sometimes 6 or 7 seconds on a fast computer)

Not seeing this behaviour on the systems here.

Can you include a link to logs? Indicate the timestamp where this issue is reproduced.

This may assist in finding the trigger for the poor performance on your system.

When using 3-D panner, no ability within panner window to switch to another track

Windows follow Track selection, so select another Track with the Panner open.

Note that the Fairlight Mixer Panner's mini display is also adjustable by clicking and dragging the bead.

When adjusting EQ effects for clips in Inspector, no ability to select multiple clips and group adjust parameters

The Fairlight Clip EQ may be adjusted for a range of selected Clips.

Copy Source Clip Attributes and Paste Attributes to the destination Clips for Plugins.

No ability to float mixer window or move it to third monitor to get it out of the way of the timeline

In a dual display configuration, the Fairlight Mixer and Meters panel is assigned a dedicated display. The Fairlight Mixer window can also be dragged to another display via the header.

No ability to determine the timecode in and out points of an audio clip on the timeline.

Presumably to edit Clips via Timecode in the Clip Inspector rather than trimming Clip Head/Tail on the Timeline?

In audio clip attributes, the timecode section says current timecode is 01:00:00:00 no matter where the playhead or in point is.

The CTI position may be referenced in the Timecode Reader to assign a new time for the Timecode in Clip Attributes or the Clip Inspector.