AudioBrewers
Are you listening?
My 2 cents (PERSONAL OPINION BELOW):
Forget about baked formats (e.g. 5.1, et all), they do not represent the current state of any technology. The whole technology concept of our era is moving towards personalised experiences that adapt to the consumer's needs and not vice-versa (consumers having to adapt to what is given).
For this reason, skip working directly in 5.1 (I personally would even skip Stereo), and work directly in Atmos, even if you are mixing for Stereo, work your project in Atmos and simply use the Renderer in 2.0 mode (NOT Binaural, never use Binaural if you are working with Monitors, you CAN use Binaural to check on your headphones IF YOU WANT, but stick to 2.0 to work).
Later, give the producer whatever they ask you (stems, tracks, Atmos projects, whatever), they'll know what to do.
The reason why doing this is that you'll be working with objects, even if in 2D, even if you are not to deliver a 3D mix, even if you don't have an Immersive setup - you will be working in something that can be later easily pushed to other dimensions.
From Atmos you can easily go "down" to 5.1, or Stereo. From stereo you can hardly go "up". 99% of people who complain about Atmos, complain about "that album that was recorded for and mixed for stereo and later was released in Atmos"
The above is a highly controversial OPINION, and is completely fine if you disagree
Forget about baked formats (e.g. 5.1, et all), they do not represent the current state of any technology. The whole technology concept of our era is moving towards personalised experiences that adapt to the consumer's needs and not vice-versa (consumers having to adapt to what is given).
For this reason, skip working directly in 5.1 (I personally would even skip Stereo), and work directly in Atmos, even if you are mixing for Stereo, work your project in Atmos and simply use the Renderer in 2.0 mode (NOT Binaural, never use Binaural if you are working with Monitors, you CAN use Binaural to check on your headphones IF YOU WANT, but stick to 2.0 to work).
Later, give the producer whatever they ask you (stems, tracks, Atmos projects, whatever), they'll know what to do.
The reason why doing this is that you'll be working with objects, even if in 2D, even if you are not to deliver a 3D mix, even if you don't have an Immersive setup - you will be working in something that can be later easily pushed to other dimensions.
From Atmos you can easily go "down" to 5.1, or Stereo. From stereo you can hardly go "up". 99% of people who complain about Atmos, complain about "that album that was recorded for and mixed for stereo and later was released in Atmos"
The above is a highly controversial OPINION, and is completely fine if you disagree