OT Pseudo 5.1

Former user wrote on 4/24/2010, 6:45 AM

I have a cheap little speaker system that takes Stereo in and makes a pseudo 5.1 to its 6 speakers. It actually does a very good job and I assume it is using some phasing and filtering to achieve this illusion.

Is there a plug-in for audio that does a similar thing?

Thanks,
Dave T2

Comments

corug7 wrote on 4/24/2010, 6:59 AM

Try the V.I. Stereo to 5.1 Converter Suite. It is FREE and does a very respectable job. I used it to create a 5.1 track for a small independent feature and the movie's creator was very happy with the outcome.

Former user wrote on 4/24/2010, 7:15 AM

Thanks, I will check that out. I have a freelance job where we install theaters in museum and visitor centers and they have an old movie in stereo that I listened to on my pseudo 5.1 speakers and it really enhanced the soundtrack. I hope something like this does the same.

Thanks again.

Dave T2

musicvid10 wrote on 4/24/2010, 10:01 AM

Dave, here's what I do:

Front L,R - Widen the stereo a little bit with a small phase shift.
Center - Combine the channels and drop -3dB or -6dB depending on how much localization you want.
Rear L,R - Delay 15ms or so, add a touch of reverb, position for -15dB to -18dB (front), and run the levels -12dB to -15dB below the front, or even -18dB if the main is compressed a lot.
LFE - Forget about it.

I can come close to emulating a 350-seat live auditorium starting with these basic settings.

Former user wrote on 4/24/2010, 11:14 AM

Musicvid,

Thanks for that formula as well. Audio is not my strongpoint so I usually try to find a plug-in. But I will try both. Luckily I have time on this project to experiment.

This video was done about 12 years ago (not by me) and of course there are no clean audio elements. Just the final stereo mix.

Thanks again for the help.

Dave T2

musicvid10 wrote on 4/24/2010, 11:53 AM

A rule of thumb for surround -- if you can actually hear the rear speakers during normal material, it is too much. Except for Z-axis pans and effects, the rear speakers should add just a bit of depth or "space," almost subliminally. One of the most effective uses of surround imo, both for ambience and effects, is in Star Trek XI (2009).