Dolby Surround encoding

[scardanelli]

Does anyone have any info regarding encoding for Dolby Surround Sound, for DVD authoring?

I'm doing a couple of soundtracks for two short films, and we're going to produce a DVD of the films and want to use surround sound. The Production house for the DVD mastering have asked for the sound to be in AC-3 format.

I'm aware of the Kind of Loud plug-in, a bit expensive and I'm not totally clear whether it'll work with PT LE. I also use Logic Audio Platinum, which has surround sound panning, but no Dolby encoding.

Any suggestions for plug-ins, or stand-alone program etc. Or should I just hire a post-house for a couple of hours? I'd prefer to get it sorted at home as it's an area I'm very interested in for other projects.

Simon Scardanelli

[P A M]

You should try to get a hold of the latest number of Electonic Musician www.emusician.com wich have an article you might finde helpfull on the subject.

You are right about no option for 5.1 mixing in PTLE, Logic is the only way to do that at procent..

[ July 15, 2001: Message edited by: P A M ]

[McGriffy]

Check out http://www.minnetonkaaudio.com/

They sell DTS and Dolby encoders. If you think the Kind of Loud plug is expensive, this won't help you any but if anyone knows of any surround encoders for under $500 I'd sure like to know about it. In any case, the KOL plug is Mac only, not an option for Windows folks like me. Sonic Solutions also sell encoders but cheap is not in their vocabulary.

DMcG

[dcannon]

Sonic Foundry made Soft Encode5.1 at one time. It encodes Dolby Digital files (AC3)files.
I believe it costs about $350 street price if you can find it. It has worked very well.

[ July 25, 2001: Message edited by: dcannon ]

[Rock_Artist]

PTLE or LAP as long as your provide 6tracks (including LFO) the SonicFoundry tool is simple, AC3 output and... Slow.
Just try making good SubBasses because if you'll d/l trailers of movies on the net you'll find the have great lows...

[scardanelli]

Sadly Sonic Foundry no longer offer this program, as the mail from them below points out.

If anyone know where I can buy a copy in the UK I'd be obliged. I have now decided to go for a MAC solution to cover all the bases and buy Apple DVD Pro, at 999 dollars (less an educational discount)this seems to be the best option. I can mix to the stem files, tak e these to the G4 and encode from there. I'd prefer the option to do it on the PC and burn a CD encoded that could be played on a suitable DVD audio player, but this option will cost 999 UK pounds for SurCode Pro (Minnetonka)and not provide any other functionality so it's poor value. Especially poor value in rip-off UK since it's priced at 999 dollars in the USA.

Simon Scardanelli


QUOTE Hello,

While Soft Encode continues to be a useful product, Sonic Foundry has
determined that with the ever-increasing line of Sonic Foundry products, we
must reduce those products not directly in-line with our current business
patterns. Soft Encode currently fulfills a particular niche market for us,
and while we appreciate the market we are currently serving, we have decided
to retire the product and focus on new and emerging media technologies.

These are two good sources for this type of software:
http://www.dolby.com/digital/lcddpem.html http://www.minnetonkaaudio.com/SurCode_Dolby_3.htm


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Sincerely,

Joshua Dodge
International Technical Support/Customer Service Specialist
Sonic Foundry
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Madison, WI 53704
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dollars

[Peter at Ransom Recording]

I would add a note of caution- encoding in surround is only the last part- you really need to have a good 5.1 monitor setup - if you are only doing a couple of shorts then it may be worth hiring a TDM setup and getting a rough/guide 5.1 mix (from your basic stereo mix)then going to a 5.1 mastering lab and finishing off there. If you don't monitor correctly you could be in all sorts of trouble. Remember that you will need to check that the soundfield downmixes correctly to mono and stereo.

Peter

[scardanelli]

Thanks, but no need to hire a TDM, I can use Logic with it's surround panning.

You're absolutely right about the monitoring, but we've got to learn to do this stuff. I think this caution was posted in response to my post on the Logic users group. The point is, I'm producing stereo masters of a professional standard, yet my studio is certainly NOT Abbey Road. Likewise, my 5:1 set-up will probably consist of 5 HHB Circle 3's, or Genelec 1029's. Certainly these will be up to the task for imaging, and sonic content can be cross-checked on my B & W's.

But you are right, this is new territory and potentially disasterously expensive to get wrong! No more though than the early days of CD mastering. I heard some real hi-end turkeys from major labels - remember Sting famously said "I'll never record digitally again" - That's odd - guess who's endorsing Pro Tools/Apogee now?

Simon Scardanelli