Faux 5.1 Surround

[douger5]

I am working on a project for an HD channel. The producer has asked me to mix the program in stereo but wants it delivered in "Faux 5.1". I am currently working with a Pts LE system with dv toolkit. How do I achieve this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Phil Jeffers]

You can't mix in any surround format with LE (including Faux - whatever that is!?).

You need to upgrade to a HD system, or try another app. e.g. Logic, Nuendo, or Digital Performer - all of which have 5.1 mixing capability.

[5Moes]

The producer has asked me to mix the program in stereo but wants it delivered in "Faux 5.1". I am currently working with a Pts LE system with dv toolkit. How do I achieve this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

"Faux 5.1," what a delightful delivery spec. I'd make sure the producer isn't planning to "faux" pay for the work!

TC makes an up-conversion plugin called "UnWrap" that would probably do the job for you, but it's not available for LE, which is "surround-challenged." It also runs on their System 6000 hardware, which is available for rental. Or you could book some time in an HD equipped facility that has the plugin.

[postprosound]

I'd bet your producer wants an Lt Rt mix, aka: Dolby Pro Logic. You can do it on a LE system, via MIX 51 plug-in from Neyrinck, then encode using dolby or Minnetonka SurCode software.

Be sure to charge more for this mix as it's more work...

[Phil Jeffers]

What compression - EQ - reverb do you use in conjunction with this plug-in for LE?

[Mario C]

We were recently asked to mix a "Faux 5.1" program. They wanted the stereo mix with some reverb sent to the surrounds. This requirement came from the producers and their DVD authoring house. When we said we couldn't deliver what they wanted, the authoring house wanted stems and said they would do it themselves.

We turned it down (for many reasons, just one of which was this 5.1 requirement). Perhaps this is more prolific among cheap - I mean low-budget - producers than we thought.

[Craig F]

or more "presidential" producers

[Esteban]

Hey, I think this might help out. I'm currently remixing some mono tv programs for re-release in "5.1" on dvd

Here's what I do. I set up my stereo mix as usual. Stereo master (you must use Aux's as masters for this process. Set up your stereo verb auxes, etc. Normal stuff.

Now create these add'l master faders (once again use aux's for masters)

L/R stereo master
Ls/Rs stereo master
C mono master
Lfe mono master

Now group those masters together and you have created a "faux" 5.1 Master fader.
Set up busses on your M&E, Dia bus, verbs etc to which ever combination of 5.1 faders you want.
Personally, I send Dia to Center, Music to L/R with a little to Ls/Rs, SFX to L/R

Then I automate via the SFX track aux bus to Ls/Rs (swooshes, flybys) to the Ls/Rs master fader.

The last step is to Create 6 more audio tracks to print the 5.1 stems via busses from the 5.1 master faders.

I know it's a little goofy, but it's been working very well for "Faux" 5.1 mixes on an LE system. Quad 2.66, DV toolkit

This may or may not work for you depending on your current track count or busses being used.

Good luck.

E.