Stereo to 5.1 Surround Mix

Question

Level 1

0 points

Stereo to 5.1 Surround Mix

How does one convert a stereo file to a 5.1 surround mix.

I've read through the various discussions & searched the web but have not been able to get help about this topic specific to Logic Pro.

I've got a 5.1 setup with all the panning done & I know about the bouncing of files for export.

My question is how does one actually convert the stereo file into 5 seperate files that sound right when played out together. What filters & setting must I use (delay, phase shift, levels) so as not to create an echo effect.

Any help or guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

G5, Mac OS X (10.4.6), Decklink & Fibre Storage

Posted on May 22, 2006 11:40 AM

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Answer 1

sondod

Level 2

175 points

May 22, 2006 12:13 PM in response to ayewza

Answer: Very Slowly

Honestly if you're not tracking from the original or a pro at 5.1 mixing, going from stereo to surround is a huge leap of faith. See a professional.

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Answer 2

May 22, 2006 2:37 PM in response to ayewza

A bit pricey, but Cycling74 just released this plugin:

http://www.cycling74.com/products/upmix

May be worth a look. To answer your other questions, there are no hard and fast rules regarding surround. Use your imagination and experiment. Listen for something that sounds good and run with it.

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Answer 3

May 22, 2006 7:18 PM in response to ayewza

depends on what you want to do by using surround.

talking about a music recording you can't simply convert a stereo recording into a 5.1 recording since you'd have to record to 5.1 in the first place. that means if you're recording an orchestra you need a 5.1 main system such as oct or oct2 or decca tree plus two mics to the back...that's necessary to capture the room's response.

of course you can always use digital (reverb) processing to beef up a stereo mix and add an artificial room response. but the results might be less than satisfactory.

and if you're into film sound you might want to have that airplane over your head...so you'd simply pan it.

i think you need to give us more input according to what you really want to do to get a useful answer...

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Answer 4

ayewza Author

Level 1

0 points

May 23, 2006 10:57 AM in response to John the Miracle

Thanks for the insights... appreciated.

My main aim is to simulate Cinema sound for advertising. I am trying to give Stereo Adverts in Cinema a more "Theatre" feel.

I would like to supply a full Surround mix but my source is Stereo.

I understand that every advert is different & hence the surround mix must be made to match it. I am trying to put together a rough "template" (filters & settings) on what must be done to the stereo file so at least I have something to start off with.

Any help will be appreciated...

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Answer 5

May 23, 2006 12:31 PM in response to ayewza

Get ( rent ) a TC 6000. Make sure it has the Unwrap Algorithm unlocked. The wider your stereo mix is , the better the 5.1 unwrap version will be. It is quite decent for this purpose and folds down to stereo well if needed.Good luck.

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