Surround panning decision

maria · 2nd September 2007

Hey,

I'm working on a short student film and I received it as mono (2 tracks).It's all
done on one stereo track dialogue, background even some of the foley. I would like to try and add new elements in surround such as foley, fx and background.

How would should I pan the original (2 tracks mix)? Just out of the C channel or out of all three front channels L C R ?

Also, would you add some surround reverb to the original (2 tracks mix) or would you just leave it dry and?

Thanks,

Maria

soundboy · 3rd September 2007

Are the 2 tracks dual mono, or is it a stereo premix?

maria · 4th September 2007

Hello Charles, the 2 tracks are in dual mono. I would also be interested to know what would you do if it was a stereo track, if you wouldn't mind.

soundboy · 4th September 2007

OK, For surround mixing, DX is always in the center channel unless it's for a particular effect. Even then I tend to shy away from panning any DX hard Right or Left, because I always find it distracting. So I'll cheat it between the center and side. That, however is another post. So, what I would do in your case is dump one of the tracks, and play the track you have in the center. This means you now need to cut backgrounds for your L,R,Ls,Rs. Foley and most hard effects generally play center, for the same reason the DX plays center. Any stereo effects will have to be cut, and the music mixed in to the front and surrounds. Thats how I would handle it. Oh, you listed foley as a part of your surround mix. Foley is generally mono, and played Center, unless you are trying to create a particular effect. If the tracks were truly a stereo mix down, that would be a whole other can 'o worms.

starcrash13 · 4th September 2007

Were you not able to get an OMF from the editor? You say they already cut BG's and foley, so it would be good to have separate tracks for mixing.

Are you only working with the guide track that was embedded in the Quicktime?

If it is an OMF with only two mono tracks, chances are that it might be two different mics so have a listen and pick the best for each shot. Or, if they sound best played together, then go with it. If it sounds good, it is good.

maria · 8th September 2007

Thank you so much for helping me

Yes, it's a QT file with no OMF, there used to be one but the guy erased it of his hard drive :-S

I put the mono mix on the center and add more new sounds in surround. The result sounds good but nothing special.

What do you think i should do if I receive a stereo file should I pan it to all three front speakers(basically feed the stereo signal to the center also)?

2nd September 2007	#1
maria Gear nut Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 124 Thread Starter	Surround panning decision Hey, I'm working on a short student film and I received it as mono (2 tracks).It's all done on one stereo track dialogue, background even some of the foley. I would like to try and add new elements in surround such as foley, fx and background. How would should I pan the original (2 tracks mix)? Just out of the C channel or out of all three front channels L C R ? Also, would you add some surround reverb to the original (2 tracks mix) or would you just leave it dry and? Thanks, Maria

4th September 2007	#4
soundboy Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 655	OK, For surround mixing, DX is always in the center channel unless it's for a particular effect. Even then I tend to shy away from panning any DX hard Right or Left, because I always find it distracting. So I'll cheat it between the center and side. That, however is another post. So, what I would do in your case is dump one of the tracks, and play the track you have in the center. This means you now need to cut backgrounds for your L,R,Ls,Rs. Foley and most hard effects generally play center, for the same reason the DX plays center. Any stereo effects will have to be cut, and the music mixed in to the front and surrounds. Thats how I would handle it. Oh, you listed foley as a part of your surround mix. Foley is generally mono, and played Center, unless you are trying to create a particular effect. If the tracks were truly a stereo mix down, that would be a whole other can 'o worms. __________________ Charles Dayton, CAS Twisted Avocado Post Audio Partial credits: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0206743/

4th September 2007	#5
starcrash13 Gear addict Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Marin County, CA, USA Posts: 495	Were you not able to get an OMF from the editor? You say they already cut BG's and foley, so it would be good to have separate tracks for mixing. Are you only working with the guide track that was embedded in the Quicktime? If it is an OMF with only two mono tracks, chances are that it might be two different mics so have a listen and pick the best for each shot. Or, if they sound best played together, then go with it. If it sounds good, it is good. __________________ Pascal Garneau \| IMDb www.pascalgarneau.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Hardware Joystick for Nuendo Surround Panning	Martin Hughes	Post Production forum!	8	30th April 2007 03:25 AM
Nuendo Native Surround Panning or Waves S360 Imager?	Martin Hughes	Music computers	0	28th February 2007 10:53 PM
Saviors of Surround... the surround iPod	Tibbon	So much gear, so little time!	10	30th September 2006 02:56 PM
DAW surround panning in Nuendo. Best Hardware?	TooledUp	So much gear, so little time!	0	28th March 2006 12:15 AM
Surround Panning in Stereo	vaesion	So much gear, so little time!	10	1st April 2005 11:36 AM

3rd September 2007	#2
soundboy Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 655	Are the 2 tracks dual mono, or is it a stereo premix?

8th September 2007	#6
maria Gear nut Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 124 Thread Starter	Thank you so much for helping me Yes, it's a QT file with no OMF, there used to be one but the guy erased it of his hard drive :-S I put the mono mix on the center and add more new sounds in surround. The result sounds good but nothing special. What do you think i should do if I receive a stereo file should I pan it to all three front speakers(basically feed the stereo signal to the center also)?