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Delivering Audio
Because of the variety of ways that audio can be mixed into various multichannel
configurations, there are numerous methods for delivering your program’s audio to the
distributor or broadcaster. Programs that will be aired internationally have additional
deliverables that must be taken into account. For more information, see:
• “What Type of Audio Mix Is Required?”
• “Alternative Audio Mixes for International Distribution”
What Type of Audio Mix Is Required?
There are several kinds of audio mixes you might produce for your program. Each type
of mix must be output to tape differently, which means you’ll have different delivery
requirements from various broadcasters depending on how your mix was done. Before
you master your final tape, make sure to find out how your distributor wants the audio
channels packaged.
The following sections describe typical mixes you might encounter.
Stereo
A stereo mix uses two channels (left and right) to create a directional sound field that
can place audio cues anywhere along a virtual plane to the front of the listener. All
Final Cut Studio applications that support audio mixing are capable of accommodating
stereo audio, and virtually every program produced for television, theatrical distribution,
and radio is delivered with at least a stereo soundtrack, even if the directionality of the
sound field is not aggressively used.
Stereo mixes can be created easily in both Final Cut Pro and Soundtrack Pro and can be
output to any tape format currently in use, encoded on a DVD, or included with a movie
being delivered to the web.
5.1 Surround
Surround sound is a considerably more deluxe treatment for your program’s audio. The
name 5.1 surround refers to the five audio channels (left, right, center, left surround, and
right surround) that create a directional sound field in which audio cues may be spatially
placed anywhere around the listener; the .1 refers to the low-frequency effects (LFE)
channel that’s dedicated to the kind of sternum-vibrating rumbles frequently employed
by explosions and other percussive sounds in action movies.
When appropriately mixed, surround sound is useful for more than creating dazzling
audio effects sequences. Surround sound can open up the listener’s sound field to provide
an immersive listening environment, even if the soundtrack consists of simple ambience,
dialogue, and subtle sound design.
105Chapter 6 Mastering