Help with Surround Sound setup

[Shabby7]

Hi,

sorry if this is old, but I couldn't find any answears yet. Could anyone tell me what I need to mix and print a project in 5.1 Surround Sound. Here's myu setup :

Mix Plus
Mytek converters
Mackie D8B
Coleman M3 for monitor source
DAC-1 (going straight to monitors)
Truth Audio Monitors

I know I need more speakers, but what else? Hardware, plug ins?

Thanks in advance

[sndgeek]

As is, once you have more speakers you're ready to go. That said, I would heartily recommend a few additions:

Dolby Surround mastering plugin
extra DSP card
small 6 or 8 channel mixer
1/3 octave 30-band EQ (Rane) x6
SPL meter/Realtime analyzer

The Dolby plugin will allow you to do a stereo matrix if needed (becoming more popular with HD broadcasts and DVD's).

Mixing in surround is a DSP-intensive process. My Mix Plus system can barely handle 30-40 tracks in 5.1. If you've got lots of units, be prepared to micromanage your resources.

Assuming you're mixing for film or theatrical release, your speakers should be calibrated -- 85dB SPL for L, C, R, 83dB for your surrounds. You can either do this on your Mackie and tape off the faders, or buy a small mixer and replace the Coleman switcher. EQ is also important--getting a flat response and rolling off the low end (assuming a subwoofer in the room) gives you the best accuracy with your mix. Also to do the opposite with the sub--making sure nothing above 200 hz finds its way into the boom channel.

Good luck!