Dolby Surround Mixing Manual
Dolby Surround Mixing Manual
1-1
1-1
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Introduction
Dolby
Dolby
®
®
Surround is a format that enables the
Surround is a format that enables the production and delivery of multi-dimensional
production and delivery of multi-dimensional
soundtracks for television, cable, consumer video, compact disc, video game and other stereo
soundtracks for television, cable, consumer video, compact disc, video game and other stereo
media. Once created, Dolby Surround soundtracks can be recorded, broadcast and reproduced in
media. Once created, Dolby Surround soundtracks can be recorded, broadcast and reproduced in
the same manner as any conventional stereo programs, including compatible monophonic
the same manner as any conventional stereo programs, including compatible monophonic
playback. Consumers equipped with Dolby Surround systems will experience a program’s full
playback. Consumers equipped with Dolby Surround systems will experience a program’s full
measure of spatial dimensionality, just as they do from thousands of Dolby St
measure of spatial dimensionality, just as they do from thousands of Dolby St ereo movies
ereo movies
currently available on home video media.
currently available on home video media.
Many aspects of Dolby Surround soundtrack production are the same as those of
Many aspects of Dolby Surround soundtrack production are the same as those of stereo
stereo
soundtrack production. The main difference is that the mixing console must have at
soundtrack production. The main difference is that the mixing console must have at least three
least three
and preferably four outputs to feed the Dolby Surround encoder. To
and preferably four outputs to feed the Dolby Surround encoder. To complete the surround
complete the surround
system, additional speakers and amplifiers are needed to monitor the
system, additional speakers and amplifiers are needed to monitor the Center and Surround
Center and Surround
channels via a Dolby Surround decoder.
channels via a Dolby Surround decoder.
In most cases the finished two-channel encoded soundtrack is all that
In most cases the finished two-channel encoded soundtrack is all that will be recorded or
will be recorded or
broadcast. However, in some cases it may be
broadcast. However, in some cases it may be desirable to record the four-channel stems (Left,
desirable to record the four-channel stems (Left,
Center, Right and Surround encoder input signals) onto separate tracks when further elements are
Center, Right and Surround encoder input signals) onto separate tracks when further elements are
to be added later, such as
to be added later, such as with music pre-mixes for movie soundtracks.
with music pre-mixes for movie soundtracks.
This manual contains the
This manual contains the information necessary for production personnel to properly
information necessary for production personnel to properly produce
produce
soundtracks in Dolby Surround.
soundtracks in Dolby Surround.