The SoundField SPS422B
Issue 1.7
User Guide
Page 16
The advantage of recording an acoustic event in B-Format is that it can be de-coded by the SP451
processor into the current 5.1 surround format or any future 6.1, 7.1, etc format (with the appropri-
ate MAP cards fitted into the SP451) and therefore is ideal for ‘surround archiving’. When the four
tracks of B-Format are played back through SP451 in a post-production environment, many
parameters of the selectable mic array can be adjusted after the event. These include changing the
width of both the front and rear pairs of microphones, mixing sound sources occurring at the front
of the mic array towards the rear and the choice and instant comparison of up to three different mic
arrays.
It is also common to record the Left/Right stereo outputs from the SPS422-B processor onto a
further two tracks of the multitrack. In this way both a ‘surround master’ and a ‘stereo master’ can
be derived from a single DTRS cassette. Some sound engineers, if they have the facility, will as
insurance also simultaneously record two ‘spot mics’ on a further two tracks. These are usually
focused on ‘quieter’ sound sources which may be too low in level in the natural acoustic balance of
the performance, and if necessary can be introduced to the mix in post-production.
RECORDING B-FORMAT WITH THE SPS422B FOR
SURROUND POST-PRODUCTION WITH THE SP451
SURROUND PROCESSOR
