5.1 Resources

[Serch]

Hi everyone,

I would like to start mixing post in a 5.1 system, can you suggest me some books, reads, videos, resources, or anything that would help me to start with this.

Any advise would be helpful too.

Thanks!

[Serge Perron]

I found Tom Holman's book: 5.1 Surround Sound Up and Running useful when I started with surround. There is now a second edition simply called Surround Sound Up and Running.


Serge

[Serch]

I'll look for Tom Holman's book

Thanks Serge

[BScout]

First three sticky posts here will give you a lot of info:
https://www.gearslutz.com/board/post-production-forum/

I'd say if you haven't shadowed a 5.1 mix, do it. There's a massive subjective "taste" component outside of the workflow. I'd also mention that 5.1 is more or less on its way out for a lot of international distributors (VOD) since the format is fairly old and we're all adapting to 7.1.2 or greater. If you are taking the time to adapt to 5.1 in 2019, you should find out the desires of production delivery and maybe skip 5.1.

[paulo m]

Hi,

not sure if you´re intending to do post in 5.1 for TV/streaming or theatrical, but here are some generalist resources that cover pretty much a lot. Some formats described in these docs are now being phased out or are legacy but the basics still apply to nowadays practices:

http://www2.grammy.com/pdfs/recordin...rs/5_1_rec.pdf

http://www.voesd.at/files/Multichannel_Music_Mixing.pdf

If you´re working with Protools, I find this video really helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZeKaHyZ3ig

Of course that today a lot of people are moving to formats larger than 5.1, like Dolby Atmos, Auro 3D, DTX-X, that use larger speaker layouts, including the vertical pane, allow the use of audio objects along with the traditional 5.1 or 7.1 speakers and provide a better sense of immersion. Nevertheless, despite all that, if your studio clients don´t ask for it, or if the market you´re in doesn´t deliver in those formats, it´s a waste of money. Despite all those considerations, is always good to have the knowledge, so I think you should also try to get some info on those formats as well.