surround sound questions again.
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Posted on Oct 06, 2009 07:19 am
Dematrix
http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member Since: Nov 27, 2007
If i should be using the same thread as i previous had going before, please lemme know,
Ok, so im delving more and more into the whole surround sound thing (idiot) and let me just say, dB you said it was a whole new world, and well you werent mincing words.
i havent even set up everything yet and already i can see potential issues.
Ive talked to a few people now on S/S and well, i think alot of em (like so many people do on things) say they know but really dont have a ****** clue. Theyve just decided how it probably works in their minds and they just go with that.
next thing you know, your all ****** up and dunno what's going on.
im getting there with things, but keep hearing other things to contrary.
anyway, i have a couple of questions.
firstly, it seems i only have 4 assignable outputs, and a digi out, for surround.
So im gonna have to hook up the centre speaker to the digi out, and buy a D/A converter for that.
could it be worth getting an interface or something, that just has 5.1 S/S capabilties right off the bat?
question 1 is,
a guy i talked to said its not worth mixing in surround, and if you mix in say 5.0 (in my case) then when thrown to CD, other sound systems such as a normal stereo, wont be able to pick up alot of the tracks.
Is this the case?
2.
Now, i have CD's that "are" recorded in 5.1 S/S, and i can play them fine on a normal stereo.
Is this due to the fact that its burned to a DVD?
and will i have to get some sort of program to make it possible for the CD or DVD to played on all sound sytems?
As you can see, im not quite getting it atm, and i think its due to getting a bum steer somewhat, so would love a run down on stuff if ya'll have the time.
even some links or something'd be good.
Cheers
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Oct 06, 2009 09:37 am Well, I wouldn't mix in 5.0...that's not really a "standard" format that I am aware of. Most standard formats to degrade to stereo just fine as far as I know.
You need to forget about your analog outs me thinks, and use your digital out for the whole thing...you be better off mixing in the PC and sending the mix out your digital output to your surround sound speaker system...or to your D/A then to the speakers.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 10:41 am ah man, i was wondering about the digi out!!
So are you saying that if i hook up my digi out, to a surround sound system, or to a D/A converter with 6 outs, that it still operates like having 6 outs on my interface?
so the digital out, basicly handles the speaker assigning?
Oct 06, 2009 10:51 am Yeah, pretty much, as long as your digi out is capable of it, most are these days, some of the earlier ones were not.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 11:24 am ahaha ha ha, i wish i knew that a week ago, i wouldnt be stressing out about all this.
i wont speak too soon though,
My Tascam manual says only this about the digi out.
"this is a RCA connector that ouptuts a stereo digital signal.
signals output from the line out [1/2] or [3/4] jacks can be output digitally from this jack.
you can also select s/pidif or aes/ebu as the digital format in the control panel."
does this still mean i still can only get these 4 outs?
i cant seem to find any other Output options in my connections window. except those 4.
nothing about digi out or any other numbers as options there.
maybe it wont show up till i have something plugged into it?
i dunno.
Oct 06, 2009 11:52 am I tried to tell you that a week ago, I guess I wasn't clear enough, my bad.
I have no idea what that means about your sound card, I certainly don't wanna lead you down the wrong path, so I'd rather say nothing.
Oct 06, 2009 11:52 am I'll say I will sell you a sound card (PCI) that has digital and optical outputs tho...
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 11:54 am oh yeah, how much??
interested.
Oct 06, 2009 11:58 am Not sure, I have an ESI Juli@ I am not really using any more.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 12:07 pm Ok, im gonna be honest now, i have no idea about these.
If it can cater for my stupid obssesion with surround sound atm then im interested.
If you can just tell me how to hook it up etc. then i'll give it shot for sure.
Oct 06, 2009 12:10 pm First and foremost, regardless of your sound device, you need surround speakers. I would suggest "5.0" is not the way to go...as I see it you could use your 4 analog outputs for Dolby Prologic with left, right, center and rear...or, get a 5.1 setup with a digital input, such as a small home theater system or gaming system with digital or optical inputs.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 12:21 pm with the dolby prologic would that be classed as LRCS?
left, right, centre and centre surround?
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 12:45 pm ok cool well that must be it then, i set up connections and yep the panner is available too so, dB! i think you've done it!
now i think of it too, most cd players and what not have that pro logic button on them is that correct?
not a full bottle on it but, is this button used to decode pro logic recordings for 2 speakers?, or is it for activating a 4 speaker setup?
ok i must go to bed now tis 1:00am but again i appreciate the help, and i'll see how we go once i get my other speakers that are on order.
i guess i'll be hiting ya up for panning tips and capabilties.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 06, 2009 10:31 pm Here is the card dB has. I use two of their interfaces as well and love them. Never had one issue at all.
www.esi-audio.com/products/julia/
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 06, 2009 11:58 pm if i was to buy the card, i would still need to get a D/A converter with 6 outs for 5.1 though right?
im thinking that be pretty costly.
im kinda liking the whole pro logic surround idea atm. i can get started with it for now at least.
5.1 would be good tho.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 07, 2009 09:28 pm I am thinking that the Juli@ does DTS surround and that you would simply hook the digital our to your surround system and your good to go. No need for further converter's.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 07, 2009 10:27 pm mmm, (licking his lips) i might have to look at getting it then i guess.
and then a gaming SS 5.1 system, as dB said for a bit of fun.
to buy an actual studio mons 5.1 would cost alot really, and well, i do have now, immediate access to the pro logic surround, so might get going with that and see how good i can get things.
just a question tho,
you know how you can record in surround using mono tracks?
and then you have the other option where it records and is put in all speakers,
Is the latter so it can be heard on 2 speaker stereo systems?
Or when you do a mixdown (if using the mono track version) does the software sort all that out in the mixdwon part?
let me clarify that a bit tho, i already asked dB this one but im still unsure,
If i record in s/sound using individual mono tracks, after the mixdown, will everything be able to be heard on a normal 2 speaker system?
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 07, 2009 10:30 pm im only unsure still because i have 2 options to record in, individual mono tracks,
or record one track that goes to all speakers.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Oct 08, 2009 12:34 am Yep, the boyz room has a nice Creative set up. It was their biggest one back a few years and sounds pretty good to test mixes on. I usually mix blindly. In Sonar you have enough visual that I can place things pretty well. Then burn a DVD or transfer the file to their box for playback.
