surround sound recording?

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I'm Roscoooo P. Coltrane
Member Since: Apr 12, 2003

I was wondering if anyone on here is recording in Surround Sound. Could someone help me understand how to go about it? What would be the process?

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Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 20, 2003 02:29 pm

Ya, I have done a bit of surround sound. Since you did not get too specific, I won't either...the process is essentially the same, the difference is in mixdown in regards to how you pan. Then, upon export to final mix format you will mix into 6 channels (if using 5.1 surround, anyway) rather than the usual 2 (for left and right).

I'm Roscoooo P. Coltrane
Member
Since: Apr 12, 2003


Jul 20, 2003 05:36 pm

Sorry dB Masters, I wasn't even sure what kind of question's to ask. But that helps me get an idea of what's going on. Is stereo the way you prefer to go, more than surround?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 20, 2003 06:06 pm

Actually, no, I am trying to move in the direction of surround, the trouble is support. It costs more and not everybody has it so you have to make sure your mixes also sound decent in stereo.

If you are working on film, surround is the only way to go. The last film Noize2u and I were scoring I called quits because they were incapable of doing surround on their end, which made it worthless to me, a film without surround is a total waste of time....for just straight audio, well, that's not necessarily the case yet, but standards are ebing set and surround will become commonplace soon when you buy music recordings.

Member
Since: Jun 19, 2003


Jul 20, 2003 10:57 pm

I've tried a little surround sound myself with Cubase VST. Since it's the poor man's version I hope the upscale vs. is better.
It would be closer to say it's an emulation more than a true surround. The front speakers will be left and right and the rear are a mono signal. Your sound card will have to do the sub.
It's not what I hoped for when I bought it, but I figured the upscale would give me more control.
It has a graph that allows you to pivot your stereo signal around.
If you are like me you probably hoped to put a guitar front left, violens front right, horns rear left, etc.
Not with Cubase VST, but the emulation is still a bit cooler than stereo.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 06:57 am

Mixing surround sound is really just panning between 5 channels, front center, front left, front right, rear left and rear right...that is Dolby Digital format 5.1. Pro Logic surround does not have separation between the rear speakers...or a separate subwoofer channel. Which is what you are talking about )it appears), grumpeedad.

The subwoofer channel is created upon encoding, the fequencies below 120Hz to 125Hz (generally speaking, though you can usually do what you want) will be encoded to the 6th channel (or, the ".1" in 5.1) which is just those low frequencies that are meant for the subwoofer.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 09:46 am

arnt the floyd remixing their old stuff into 5.1, i heard somewhere?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 10:53 am

Yes, I have the 30th anniverssary re-release of Dark Side of the Moon and it is in 5.1, and pretty darn cool too.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 10:55 am

im waiting for the 'wsh you were here' re-release, if there'll be one in 5.1 - that'd be groovy baby!

Bohemian
Member
Since: May 04, 2003


Jul 21, 2003 11:12 am

So what program let's you
do this (panning to all those boxes :D )
really wanna more 'bout it

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 11:16 am

Lots of apps do, the new Vegas, Cubase, Nuendo, Acid...actually Sonar is the only major player dragging thier feet on it...which is a real letdown to me personally, but they'll come around, they always do.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 11:27 am

itll be cool when intuitive does it...there'll be something new out by the time it does though!

I'm Roscoooo P. Coltrane
Member
Since: Apr 12, 2003


Jul 21, 2003 12:55 pm

This is something I would like to look more into myself. It's kind of strange that Sonar isn't leading this. Don't they usually lead the inovations?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 21, 2003 12:56 pm

No, they never, or rarely, LEAD the innovations, but they are generally pretty quick to follow standard or see a new space to move into. I am very surprised the didn't add 5.1 to version 2.2, but it will come.

Member
Since: Jun 19, 2003


Jul 21, 2003 08:52 pm

dB, ya just know too much about this stuff, I hope someone's payin you good. I always thought since the Nazi's were sneakin' up from behind me on the right (Battlefield 1942) that gaming had a different surround sound. I guess they were always sneakin' up from behind me. (which would explain a lot of my deaths :)
I've always wanted to do just one pick drag that would circle the whole room.

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