3
Table Of Contents
- Compressor 3 User Manual
- Contents
- Welcome to Compressor
- Getting Started Quickly
- Ways to Use Compressor
- The Basic Transcoding Workflow
- The Compressor Interface
- Setting Compressor Preferences
- Importing Source Media Files
- Creating, Previewing, and Modifying Settings
- Finalizing Jobs and Submitting Batches
- Creating AIFF Files
- Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files
- About the Dolby Digital Professional Encoder Pane
- General Information About Creating Dolby Digital Professional Files
- Converting Stereo Audio Files to Dolby Digital Professional Format
- Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Manual Method)
- Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels (Automatic Methods)
- Assigning Files to Surround Sound Channels with Droplets
- Options for Spatial Mixing
- Creating DV Stream Output Files
- Creating H.264 for Apple Devices Output Files
- Creating H.264 for DVD Studio Pro Output Files
- Creating H.264 for Blu-ray Disc
- Creating Image Sequence Files
- Creating MP3 Output Files
- Creating MPEG-1 Output Files
- Common Uses for MPEG-1
- MPEG-1 Specifications
- About the MPEG-1 Encoder Pane
- About the MPEG-1 Video Tab
- About the MPEG-1 Audio Tab
- About System and Elementary Streams
- MPEG-1 Transcoding Workflow
- Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for Web Use
- Configuring the MPEG-1 File Format for DVD Use
- Creating the MPEG-1 Video for DVD Setting
- Creating the MPEG-1 Audio for DVD Setting
- Optional—Creating an MPEG-1 for DVD Group and Destination
- Creating MPEG-2 Output Files
- Creating MPEG-4 Output Files
- About MPEG-4 Part 2
- About the MPEG-4 Part 2 Encoder Pane
- Using Default MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings
- Customizing MPEG-4 Part 2 Settings
- Audio Podcasting Workflow
- Stage 1: Configuring the MPEG-4 Output for Audio-Only Output
- Stage 2: Including Podcasting Information
- Stage 3: Applying the Setting to a Source Media File’s Target
- Stage 4: Entering Annotations for the Output Media File
- Stage 5: Creating and Configuring Markers for the Output Media File
- Stage 6: Submitting the Job and Verifying the Output Media File
- Adding Additional Settings and Presets
- Creating QuickTime Movie Output Files
- Creating QuickTime Export Component Files
- Adding Filters to a Setting
- Working with Frame Controls
- Adding Geometry Settings
- Adding Actions
- Using the Preview Window
- Creating and Changing Destinations
- Using Droplets
- Appendix A: Keyboard Shortcuts
- Appendix B: Solving Problems
- Resources for Solving Problems
- Solutions to Common Problems
- Exporting from Final Cut Pro and Distributed Processing
- QuickTime Reference Movies
- Cluster Settings for Extended Transcoding Sessions
- Cleaning Up Cluster Storage
- Using Apple Qmaster with an NFS Server
- Apple Qmaster Distributed Processing and Xsan
- Compressor Command-Line Usage Requires Login
- Create Blu-ray Disc Job Action
- Contacting AppleCare Support
- Appendix C: Using the Command Line
- Installing Apple Qmaster from the Command Line
- Using the Command Line for Distributed Processing
- Using Scripts to Run Apple Qmaster, Compressor, and Batch Monitor
In most music productions (with such exceptions as the famous cannon shots in
Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”), the LFE channel is not necessary. The LFE signal is also
discarded in the Dolby Digital Professional downmix process, so intense bass signals do
not stress small stereo systems. Be sure not to include vital information in the LFE channel
that would be missed in mono, stereo, or Pro Logic playback.
Because LFE is separate from other channels, its ability to blend with higher frequencies
can be affected by filters used to generate the LFE signal. To ensure a cohesive audio
signal, keep the entire signal together in the main channel or channels.
Avoid creating an LFE channel for material originally produced without one. Dolby Digital
Professional’s five main channels are all full-range, and the LFE channel does not increase
the frequency response. Dolby Digital Professional decoders offer bass management,
directing low frequencies to a subwoofer or other suitable speakers. An LFE track may
interfere with bass management.
Accommodating Stereo Playback
Even with the popularity of 5.1 systems, you should always address stereo reproduction.
There are three basic ways to do this:
• Prepare a new stereo mix from the original multitrack elements (using conventional
stereo-mixing sessions).
• Prepare a studio-adjusted downmix from the multichannel mix. This method takes
advantage of the work that has gone into mixing the 5.1 version. It retains flexibility in
the exact proportions of each channel represented in the final stereo mix.
• Let the decoder derive a stereo downmix, based on preset formulas in the decoder.
Downmix options and dynamic range control effects can be previewed and adjusted
in the production studio, and a range of adjustments is possible.
Always check the mix on an inexpensive surround system to evaluate how well it sounds
on modest playback systems.
Note: For more information about Dolby Digital Professional, see “Frequently Asked
Questions about Dolby Digital Professional,” available at the Dolby Laboratories Inc.
website at http://www.dolby.com.
152 Chapter 10 Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files










