Live Concert > CD > DVD work flow

[sahasralah]

Hello everyone,

I'm a long-time lurker, but first time poster.

I recorded a show this week that is to be produced both as a Live CD and DVD. Most of the time, we're recording for network broadcast, so I'm more used to trying to keep a constant level and less interested in dynamic range. Although I would like to do a surround mix for the DVD, I don't have surround monitoring set up right now, so unless they decide to allocate some more funds, the DVD mix may end up in stereo.

If that were the case, would you approach a stereo DVD mix differently than CD? The producers will probably be cool with favoring dynamic range over maxed/limited levels for both the CD and DVD, but I figure I can get away with more on the DVD.

The program length is about 75 minutes. On a scale of ten, it starts at 7, works up to 8 during the first 15 minutes, then slopes down to around 6, back to 7, down to around 3 by 45 minutes in, and then the last half hour goes steadily back up to probably a two-song stint at 10 and a finish at 4 for the end.

I've been re-reading Mastering Audio by Bob Katz to get inspired.

After a much-welcomed day off, I came in today and got a basic mix going, focused on track EQ most of the day and added a little compression here and there with some light FX to get an idea of where we're at and what needs punching/fixing.

I guess my questions would be:

1. Should I approach the workflow by creating a CD mix first and then working that into something appropriate for DVD? (taking into account that I might not get to do a surround mix)

2. Anyone with experience in this want to chime in for advice?

My setup for this is:

Avalon 1-ch Tube Pre, Focusrite OctoPre (x6) | MOTU 24i (x2) | MOTU Digital Timepiece | Dual-core Mac Pro | Logic Audio 7 | Peak 5 | PreSonus CentralStation | Event 20/20 bi-amped + sub | alt / Yamaha NS-10M

Thanks in advance,

-jR-