5.1 Surround Sound

[robarc]

I am set up to record in 5.1 Surround Sound. I am presently playing back (from my Delta 1010LT soundcard) through a standard two-channel stereo system. I am really dense where these things are concerned. To play back in 5.1 SS, do I just replace the stereo system with a SS system or would I need to somehow attach each of the five required speakers (which I take it I can get separate from an amplified system -- or do I need the external amplifier?) to the outputs from the card? And, if so, which ones?

I have a feeling I've just asked a really stupid question, but, hey, what do I know...

Thanks!

 

[royharper3220]

you'll need a sound card that has 5.1 sound and a 5.1 speaker system. most pc 5.1 systems have an amplifier. you dont plug each of the speakers into the sound card . the sound card has analog outs and/or a digital out. the analog speaker system are usually cheaper, the sound card has different stereo channels and the amplifier is usually in the sub and it sends the signal to each of the speakers. IF you go the didtal route you'll need a digital speaker system that has decoder to seperate the channnels.

I haven't mixed anything in 5.1 so some one else may be of more help

 

[TexRoadkill]

you'll need a sound card that has 5.1 sound and a 5.1 speaker system. most pc 5.1 systems have an amplifier. you dont plug each of the speakers into the sound card . the sound card has analog outs and/or a digital out. the analog speaker system are usually cheaper, the sound card has different stereo channels and the amplifier is usually in the sub and it sends the signal to each of the speakers. IF you go the didtal route you'll need a digital speaker system that has decoder to seperate the

You can only use a digital 5.1 connection if you are sending a surround encoded signal to the receiver. In order to do that you need a software or hardware encoder. I'm not sure if they do it very well in real time so trying to mix into a software decoder might be impossible or very sketchy.

The fool proof way is to use 6 audio outputs and send them to seperate amp channels and onto the speakers. The question then is how do you master the final mix onto a format that other people can hear. That also gets expensive.

Unfortunately 5.1 is still out of reach for cheap home recorders. My guess is in another 1-2 yrs we'll see it as an easy option to mix and master 5.1 on most DAWs.

 

[Michael Jones]

I am set up to record in 5.1 Surround Sound. I am presently playing back (from my Delta 1010LT soundcard) through a standard two-channel stereo system. I am really dense where these things are concerned. To play back in 5.1 SS, do I just replace the stereo system with a SS system or would I need to somehow attach each of the five required speakers (which I take it I can get separate from an amplified system -- or do I need the external amplifier?) to the outputs from the card? And, if so, which ones?

I have a feeling I've just asked a really stupid question, but, hey, what do I know...

Thanks!

To play back in Surround, you need multiple buss outs - In simple 5.1, that means busses for the front sides, the center channel, the sub, and the rear surrounds.

Tracking here is crucial! You really need to think through and plan how your tracks will be presented in surround, and which instruments will be heard on which speaker or set of speakers.

To accurately mix in surround you need an an environmet or Control Room that is geometricly designed for surround sound production.

Now, unless you want to drag people into your control room to hear it, you're going to have to have a surround sound encoder to format your final mixes for other systems. That's where it gets expensive!