Collaborating surround with non surround users/output issues
 

Any suggestions for how a Pro Tools HD user could easily collaborate with another regular Pro Tools user? The HD user is doing a sound design mix in surround, but needs help on some sound design. So, he is sending me tracks to work on, but I don't have Pro Tools HD. So, I can change the outputs on the tracks so that I can hear them out of my basic stereo 1-2 output, but it then changes the outputs for the other engineer as well. Any way to share tracks without messing up the outputs?

Re: Collaborating surround with non surround users/output issues
 

Even if it can't address 5.1 hardware, can regular Pro Tools create a 5.1 bus ? If so . . .

1. Create a 5.1 Bus that acts as your assigned mixbus path for all tracks.
2. Create a 5.1 Aux Input with that same bus as its input, and assign its out to a 5.1 monitor path for your colleague.
3. Create another 5.1 Aux Input with that same bus as it's input, but insert the Avid DownMixer plug-in (found in the Sound Field category) as the last item in the insert chain. You will now have a stereo out, and all you need to do between you and your colleague is mute whichever monitor path you're are not using.

Re: Collaborating surround with non surround users/output issues
 

Unfortunately no, Pro Tools cannot create a 5.1 bus. :(