Specifications

5.1-Channel Production Guidelines
5-1
Chapter 5
Production Techniques
Many traditional two-channel techniques are applicable to 5.1-channel production.
Nonetheless, there is an opportunity to create more convincing and engaging listening
experiences.
5.1 Microphone Techniques
Prior to beginning a 5.1-channel production, consider the type and size of the
environment to be created. A variety of close, distant, coincident, and spaced
microphone techniques can be used to produce a natural-sounding environment.
Processing such as artificial delay and reverb may also be used to enhance the
listening experience or compensate for compromises made during the recording.
Sources can be recorded individually, with or without spatial information, for
placement at any point in the 5.1-channel soundfield during mixing. Carefully
combining microphone technique, processing, and mixing allows one to place the
listener almost anywhere in the desired setting. Although the listener’s perspective
will most often be the same as that of an audience member, numerous possibilities
exist for both realistic and unrealistic environments.