Operation Manual

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Chapter 13: Creating surround sound
Surround sound basics
About surround sound
With surround sound, heard in many popular movies, you can pan an audio mix around a room. Adobe Audition
supports 5.1 surround sound, which requires five speakers, plus one low frequency subwoofer (LFE). To properly
preview a 5.1 surround-sound mix, your computer must have a sound card with at least six outputs, and the speakers
must be connected and positioned as follows:
• Output 1: Front left speaker.
• Output 2: Front right speaker.
• Output 3: Front center speaker.
• Output 4: LFE.
• Output 5: Left surround speaker.
• Output 6: Right surround speaker.
To accurately monitor low frequencies, configure the LFE subwoofer to reflect your audience’s surround system. For
example, Digital Theater System (DTS) typically uses a crossover frequency of 80 Hz, routing all content below that
frequency to the subwoofer. However, most Dolby® Digital systems use a crossover of 120 Hz. Some systems also
boost the LFE channel by 10 dB, emphasizing low-frequency content.
Create mixes with the Surround Encoder
You export 5.1 surround sound from a multitrack session by using the Surround Encoder dialog box. With this
dialog box, you can pan each track, preview the surround mix, and export it as six mono WAV files, or one inter-
leaved, six-channel WAV or WMA file.
Important: To accurately preview surround mixes, you need a sound card with at least six outputs. For detailed require-
ments, see “Set the preview device for surround mixes” on page 237.
1 In Multitrack View, open or create a session, and create a basic stereo mix with desired track volume, pan, and
effects settings.
If you open an existing session, consider choosing File > Save Session As to save a copy specifically for surround
mixing.
2 Choose View > Surround Encoder.
3 In the Track List area, select the tracks and buses you want to include in the surround mix.
4 In the Track Options area, set the panning assignment and amplitude levels for each track.
5 If necessary, fine-tune and automate panning for each track.
6 Preview and export the surround mix.