Compression/limiting after encoding

[hef]

Is it okay to add compression/limiting and more gain after encoding LtRt. Will this ruin the encoding? i just want to beef up the stereo LtRt a bit. That way I can use a better stereo limiter and not the surround limiter.

[Rick Sanchez]

Knowing how sensitive Dolby gear is to proper alignment, I would not recommend it, though I've never tried doing anything like that myself. You could do a test by reprinting your files after the gain and compressor and then decoding them. I would think that you would have a number of phase problems along with shifting stereo imaging problems.

[hef]

what about just gain?

[eric thompson]

Do it all the time. It does not affect the encode. Vaguely remember asking Ken Hunold, Dolby broadcast engineer about it a few years ago and seem to remember that he said it was O.K. but don't quote me on quoting him. I find using a L3 Multi on the LTRT beefs it up a bit and helps control peak levels a little better than trying to do that with a 5.1 compressor on your surround mix.

Eric Thompson

[hef]

I find using a L3 Multi on the LTRT beefs it up a bit and helps control peak levels a little better than trying to do that with a 5.1 compressor on your surround mix.

Exactly what I was looking to do. thanks.