My first 5.1 mix. Help needed.

[ScruffyG]

I've got a documentary to mix with 5.1 sound requested. (no encoding)

Its the first time ill be mixing in 5.1.

In a nutshell what do i need to do differently?

[Big Andy]

Dialogue goes in the Center. PFX and Foley go in the Center. SFX go mostly in LR and Depending on Need in the Center. BGs go all over. Music goes in the LR and LS RS.

Compress a lot less than for Television for a few reasons. 1. You'll keep your noise floor down, especially if you don't have any fancy Noise Reduction Gear. 2. Film / Docs allow you to have a greater dynamic Range and lean towards a more Natural Sound. Lots of Compression = Bad.

Other that, make it sound good.

[tom_lowe]

Originally Posted by ScruffyG

I've got a documentary to mix with 5.1 sound requested. (no encoding)

Its the first time ill be mixing in 5.1.

In a nutshell what do i need to do differently?

On screen (and a lot of off screen) dialogue and narration will go to centre channel only in the US, but in the UK (I'm not sure about EU) we tend to diverge it in to the LR channels a bit too (about 10-15%) to give it a bit more presence and sound less "god like". It does tend to be a UK-only thing though from what I can tell.

Check the broadcast specs for the network you're delivering too as some specify C channel only as it's then easier to replace dialoguge and narration for foreign versions.

[neilwilkes]

Originally Posted by tom_lowe

On screen (and a lot of off screen) dialogue and narration will go to centre channel only in the US, but in the UK (I'm not sure about EU) we tend to diverge it in to the LR channels a bit too (about 10-15%) to give it a bit more presence and sound less "god like". It does tend to be a UK-only thing though from what I can tell.

Check the broadcast specs for the network you're delivering too as some specify C channel only as it's then easier to replace dialoguge and narration for foreign versions.

I agree about the dialogue - it can give more depth this way, and especially useful in shots where you have 2 people sideways on, or next to each other, in conversation - it gives a little movement that really adds to realism.

I wouldn't worry too much about the other part (compatibility with foreign versions) as you would normally supply an M&E anyway, which will be everything except dialogue and intelligible background talking ready for dubbing. It does depend on your delivery specs though, and these things do vary - wouldn't hurt to raise the subject of a muted dialogue version anyway

[Jfriah]

Make sure you put (if you have...) room tones up the C as well; after all it is dialogue glue, right? Yes, and SFX 'hard effects' that happen 'on camera' and/or in conjunction with DIA go up C as well.

If this is your first 5.1 mix, be really really careful about panning things. Think: how/where is this going to be seen? If I'm panning something (ex: a car pass) to follow on-screen action, is my pan 'out to here' going to sound 'out to THERE' on a theatre screen? or vice-versa. Are you panning wide enough? Etc.

That said, I experienced yet another movie last night in a theatre missing one front channel. So the car by went Lefffft...centrrrrreee......nothing. Perfect.
Bring Back Mono

Jeff

[originalscottyg]

Also, don't forget to properly calibrate your room and monitor at a level appropriate for your room and the delivery medium.

This thread on the DUC has a lot of good info on calibrating room/speakers
NEW UPDATED Room Calibration for Film and TV Post - Avid Audio Forums

[Henchman]

You don't do anything different.
Just make it sound good.