Specifications

5.1-Channel Production Guidelines Production Techniques
5-14
important to check the downmixes and to listen for center channel buildup or
unwanted surround information from the Pro Logic decoding process. Some effects
that work well to create a 5.1 mix do not work with Pro Logic decoding. The 5.1-
channel system is discrete, i.e., where a sound is put is where it will stay.
4. Never decode a Dolby Surround track to make it discrete. The resulting track will
not properly downmix for the consumer. Use the Dolby Digital 2/0 mode with the
surround flag set to ON instead.
5. Remember that listeners prefer natural soundfields. Sometimes effects that sound
exciting at first can become distracting or tedious with repeated listening.
6. Be sure to document calibration levels, mixing levels, and other small, but
important, information for later reference. The 3-dB difference in surround level
between film-style rooms and video-style rooms will have a big impact on the
mix when set wrong during the encoding process (see 6.2 for more information).
Several projects have gone into production with improper surround levels,
resulting in questionable mixes and element balances.