Convert Stereo to 5.1 properly.

[KingFish]

I admit I've lived my entire 30 years, making music in the studio, in Stereo. Never did any movie / Post / DVD Surround mixes of projects I've worked on.

I've just mixed a Live project Stereo, and there are several delivery destinations, as well as Live CD.

One of the deliveries, is to Palladium, which have sent us the following…

The Program must have 5.1 sound, with the audio channels assigned to VII’s specifications and conform to all applicable NTSC, SMPTE, EIA and FCC practices, standards and regulations (the “Program Materials”).

Without getting into an actual full blown 5.1 Remix… is there a simple "Standard" method of converting my 2 Track Master to a 5.1 File for delivery?

I'm using actual Hardware on my "Master 2 Mix Fader" An SSL Bus Compressor, Sphere Eq's, Maag's, Trident Stereo Bus Compressor….

So, I'm envisioning Bouncing out / Printing my 2 Mix then converting it to a "Stereo Compatible 5.1 File" ?

Thanks for your help.

[Craig F]

what are VII's specification?

if it's a mandatory full 5.1 I don't see a quick fix

you could try running it through a Dolby 564 set on Music PL2 decode to fake it, may need adjust your mix to make it work
or tell them it's the live board mix only

[reichman]

Demo one of the upmixing software packages and take a listen to the results. I like Iosono's anymix Pro, but there are others, and the good ones can make a compelling (but imperfect) 5.1 mix from a stereo file.

Remixing in 5.1 will be far better, tighter and more entertaining. Good luck.

[MIKEROPHONICS]

Buy Penteo - enjoy the results, charge your clients a ton of money and go home and see your family.
Best up-mixer by a country mile and the down mixes are identical to the stereo file as near damn it.

Next?

[KingFish]

Thanks guys, although I'm actually going to look into Penteo, and some other Up Mixing Apps, out of Sheer curiosity, I somehow managed, shortly after this post, to convince the powers that be, to give me a little more budget, and let me spend a couple of days, actually doing a 5.1 Mixed version of the show, for the Broadcast, and DVD.

My existing Stereo work isn't lost, as there will be several stereo deliveries of this project.

Thanks again for chiming in everyone who did... this place can be a great help!

[M-ManLA]

I'm considering getting my own 5.1 setup at home. May have to go to the Omni. Let me know what you come up with!

[dr sound]

Try the "Auro-3 3D Auromatic".It is the best one out there by any mile:)
Here is a link:
http://www.minnetonkaaudioshop.com/e.../Products/AM2D

[MatzeHD]

I think the best way is to decode your stereotracks with a Dolby Prologic1 or 2 plugin and enhance manualy these files and make your 5.1 mix with this!
This is the best way and the results are most better as with a automaticly upmixing tool :)

[tom_lowe]

Originally Posted by MIKEROPHONICS

Buy Penteo - enjoy the results, charge your clients a ton of money and go home and see your family.
Best up-mixer by a country mile and the down mixes are identical to the stereo file as near damn it.

Next?

Have you tried Nugen's latest beta yet for their new upmix Mike? I love the Auro2D one personally. Liking Nugen's so far too, especially the centre channel dialogue extraction feature.

I found Penteo lacked a bit of punch when I tried the demo, may just be me though. I know it gives a great downmix.

[tom_lowe]

Originally Posted by dr sound

Try the "Auro-3 3D Auromatic".It is the best one out there by any mile:)
Here is a link:
http://www.minnetonkaaudioshop.com/e.../Products/AM2D

I love the sound of the upmix from this but not so keen on the reverb it adds. Is there any way to lose this? It's the only thing I don't like about it.