How can I setup a 4.1 system?

[PhilipKapadia]

Hi all,

How might one set up a 4.1 audio monitoring system via an audio mixer? 4.1 I understand is L, R, then Back L, Back R, then the subwoofer.

Is it okay to duplicate the forward and backward speaker channels, or do they need to be separated into separate channels like in a 5.1 system?

I have an audio demuxer coming out of a video SDI cable, then I want to patch the 4 channels out of the demuxer to a mixer that can output to all of my 4 speakers + sub. What sort of mixer do I need to output 4.1? All the mixers I see online only have stereo outputs.

Thanks in advance, apologies for my basic understanding.

[albee1952]

Hmm, no offense is intended, but......why? What is the end game here? What would the point be of duplicating the front to the rear? Of course, I will bow to the expertise of those that work in surround, or maybe you have very specific needs that I don't understand, but your whole question raises many more questions for me

On the most basic level, you need PT Ultimate(to handle surround) and an interface that has at least 5 outputs(for your 4.1 target). Then, the final deliverable will likely need to be 5.1(even if you choose to put nothing on the center channel). Maybe more detail will get better answers

[PhilipKapadia]

As you've rightly identified my understanding of 5.1 is zero. ha!
Thanks for this response.

[DetroitT]

Quad (4) , a mixer that has 4 outs.
Stereo Main plus 2 aux sending to surrounds.
Dot 1 (.1) for low effects
Or
Subs extending bass response
Also needs to be defined.

For .1 add one more aux out.

Panning is another topic.

Live use or other?