Mixdown routing for 5.1 AND Stereo in 1 pass

[Peter Groom]

Hi
When i mixdown my .1 mix soon, i want to make 5.1 discreet mixes and a stereo mix at the same time.

Is this my best routing
All contribution tracks to 5.1 group & Stereo group by ctrl click the routing window.The 5.1 group into a 5.1 aux, then out to a 5.1 audio track. The stereo group is routed to stereo aux and then to new stereo goup and into stereo audio track.

Is this the best way, or am i missing something obvious
Peter

[Eric Seaberg]

Typical 5.1 down-mixing is a little different than that. Try this first.

Create a 5.1 SUB making the individual channels available as two stereo (L/R, Ls/Rs) and two mono (C, Lfe). Take the complete 5.1 sub to a new 5.1 TRACK with its output feeding your 5.1 monitors.

At the same time create a STEREO SUB. Create a stereo AUX with input L/R from your 5.1 SUB to the STEREO SUB. Create a mono AUX with input C from the 5.1 sub to the STEREO SUB. Because you're taking a mono track and 'panning' it to L/R it will be down the proper 3dB. Create another stereo AUX with input Ls/Rs from your 5.1 SUB to the STEREO SUB. The .1 channel is not used. Create a new STEREO TRACK with the STEREO SUB as its input and output to L/R monitors.

This will give you a discrete 5.1 mix to your 5.1 track as well as a proper downmix with some adjustability, if you want it, using the L/R, C and Ls/Rs aux faders to your stereo track. As you work, you may need to trim your surround level down a bit, but this setup gives you that flexibility.

BTW, all of your tracks may be assigned to the 5.1 buss with surround panning or discrete L/R, C or Ls/Rs this way. I'd use an AUX SEND for the Lfe track if necessary.

[Peter Groom]

HI Eric
Thanks so much for that. Once again good advice from across the pond in an instant!
Peter