Workflows

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Making AC-3 Files With Compressor
How you make the AC-3 file depends on whether you are using a single audio file as
the source or multiple audio files (as is often done for surround sound audio).
Using a Single Audio File
You can use the methods described in “About the Compressor Workflow Methods” on
page 50 to encode an AC-3 stream from a single source file, with Compressor
automatically assigning the audio channels.
When you select an AC-3 preset, Compressor automatically maps the left and
right channels.
Using Multiple Source Audio Files
Encoding an AC-3 file from multiple source files is a bit different from encoding from a
single audio file, since Compressor cannot automatically know which file should be
assigned to which channel. Also, with the exception discussed in “Using Multiple
Source Files With Channel Identifier Codes” on page 52, when you drag multiple audio
files to the Batch window, Compressor creates a separate job for each file.
To encode an AC-3 file from multiple source files:
1 Click the Batch window’s Import Surround Sound Group button.
The audio mapping dialog appears.
2 Click a speaker icon to open the selection dialog, then select the file for that
audio channel.
3 Continue with the other speaker icons until you have assigned files to each channel
you want to use in the AC-3 file.
4 Click OK to close the audio mapping dialog.
5 Configure the AC-3 settings in the Inspector.
6 Click Submit in the Batch window.