Stereo to AC3 - 5.1?

[el cochino]

I just got DVD Studio Pro 4 to author my own DVD's. I want to use some live/backstage footage of my band that we shot over the past 10+ years, but all of the audio is just stereo. I was wondering if it's possible to convert stereo files into (pseudo) AC3 - 5.1, so people with surround systems can hear the sound on all their speakers. Is there any (hopefully cheap) software solution for Mac? Could be a AU plug in as well.

[Matti]

I would sort of mix the sounds using some program like Vegas with surround and
use delays and reverbs for those additional channels (sparingly). Decent surround monitoring reguired.
Matti

[el cochino]

Originally Posted by MATTI

I would sort of mix the sounds using some program like Vegas with surround and
use delays and reverbs for those additional channels (sparingly). Decent surround monitoring reguired.
Matti

This is actually more than I want to achieve. I just want to have sound on every speaker in a surround system. We recorded a show on 16 tracks and I might try to mix it in 5.1, too, because we used audience microphones as well. But the old stuff is just stereo, and I want to have all speakers working in case someone decides to watch it in 5.1. Is there no hassle-free software that creates a fake 5.1 mix?

[seriousfun]

[QUOTE=el cochino]... I just want to have sound on every speaker in a surround system. ...QUOTE]

Probably, in my opinion, a bad philosophy to adopt at this stage of the game. (Probably one of the reasons why surround music has not been accepted as well as it should be, yet). I agree that a 5.1 mix is warranted.

(that said) A TC System 6000 can do a pretty good un-wrapping of a 2.0 stereo mix to 5.1 stereo. A dirty secret of the broadcasting industry is a Dolby Pro Logic II (not DPL1) decoder - it can also un-wrap a stereo mix pretty well, in some cases.

[el cochino]

[QUOTE=seriousfun]

Originally Posted by el cochino

... I just want to have sound on every speaker in a surround system. ...QUOTE]

Probably, in my opinion, a bad philosophy to adopt at this stage of the game. (Probably one of the reasons why surround music has not been accepted as well as it should be, yet). I agree that a 5.1 mix is warranted.

(that said) A TC System 6000 can do a pretty good un-wrapping of a 2.0 stereo mix to 5.1 stereo. A dirty secret of the broadcasting industry is a Dolby Pro Logic II (not DPL1) decoder - it can also un-wrap a stereo mix pretty well, in some cases.

Unfortunately, I don't own a TC 6000 and can't afford to buy one, either. Isn't Pro Logic II built in some TVs and stereo systems to create the 5.1 effect? If so, is there a software equivalent for this, because that's exactly what I'm looking for.

[seriousfun]

Originally Posted by el cochino

... Isn't Pro Logic II built in some TVs and stereo systems to create the 5.1 effect?

Yes. It will decode 2.0 stereo, Dolby Stereo, or DPLII mixes into something resembling 5.1.

Originally Posted by el cochino

If so, is there a software equivalent for this, because that's exactly what I'm looking for.

Not that I know of.

Again, I don't recommend this un-wrap. In my opinion, a straight 2.0 delivery is your best bet after a true 5.1 mix.

[el cochino]

Originally Posted by seriousfun

Yes. It will decode 2.0 stereo, Dolby Stereo, or DPLII mixes into something resembling 5.1.



Not that I know of.

Again, I don't recommend this un-wrap. In my opinion, a straight 2.0 delivery is your best bet after a true 5.1 mix.

I didn't expect it to be that complicated, but I guss I'm gonna leave it stereo only in this case. Thanks for your help, anyway!

[seriousfun]

OK, you could:

copy R to Ls and L to Rs
flip the phase of LS and RS
bring Ls and Rs down 10 dB
roll off some high frequencies in Ls and Rs
delay Ls and Rs by 10-15 ms
add L and R to make C, and bring C down 10 dB

...

I still recommend delivering this as 2.0 stereo.

[el cochino]

Originally Posted by seriousfun

OK, you could:

copy R to Ls and L to Rs
flip the phase of LS and RS
bring Ls and Rs down 10 dB
roll off some high frequencies in Ls and Rs
delay Ls and Rs by 10-15 ms
add L and R to make C, and bring C down 10 dB

...

I still recommend delivering this as 2.0 stereo.

Stereo it will be, but cheers again.