5.1 Mixing

[Alexbt]

Does anyone here have any experience mixing in 5.1?

Suggestions of what to use? I'm just curious, as I got a Dolby Pro Logic II compatible 5.1 system, and I'm interested in playing around with it.

(Pro Logic is the one that takes Stereo signals and makes them 5.1)

 

[Massive Master]

Pro Logic is actually encoded into a (2.0) stereo signal. It takes out-of-phase information and transfers it to the rear and mono information to the center.

Dolby Digital (5.1) is what you'd be looking for. Left, Center, Right, Left rear, Right rear, Sub (LFE).

Nuendo is a good 5.1 capable mixing software.

The outputs are easy - The AC3 encoder is expensive.

 

[mixandmaster]

I've mixed music in ProTools for 5.1 for theatrical releases in Europe. That's my only experience software-wise. It was easy from a technical standpoint, artistically it was more of a challenge as the producer wanted stuff flying all over the place, and I was more like...how about we just put the reverb in the back with some of the background percussion...

 

[CarcPazu]

5.1 Surround Project

I'm currently messing around on a personnal project in Dolby Digital that will be on DVD.

I'm using Sony Vegas 5 DVD.
The 5.1 positionnal mixing is fairly easy to use.

But right now I'm having a lot of fun trying to remix my songs in 5.1.

I'm currently using a Soundblaster Audigy 2 Platinum soundcard wich support 5.1 sounds and it's hooked to a M-Audio Studiophile LX4 5.1 monitors.

So far I'm alright with this settup since I'm just composing and laying out ideas. But I feel that I'm already reaching the audigy limit. I'm thinking about getting an M-Audio 5.1 Firewire External box, but I'm still not sure what to get.

I heard Nuendo is a good software for 5.1 mixing as well, I didn't tryed it yet. I might try it to see if I'm still gonna use Vegas or not.

5.1 music is still pretty obscure, everytime I ask question about it to some experienced studiopeople I always get the same kind of answers. Overall they all seems to think music should stay in stereo only...

I'm interested into reading anyone here who got experience with 5.1 stuff.

Keep me informed about your project please.
I will eventually post a link here to download a dvd image (.iso) of a test I did if it would interest anyone.