Mixing Film Audio in 5.1 Surround Sound vs. Stereo
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- Опубліковано 24 лип 2024
- In this video I explain the differences between mixing film audio in 5.1 Surround Sound versus in Stereo. I also highlight the differences in how a 5.1 panner works, how to decide what to pan to the back surround speakers, what to send to the LFE speaker, and how Pro Tools shows multitrack audio files in Film order where most distributors require SMPTE order instead. Also just to note, you will need a Pro Tools HD or Ultimate license to be able to mix in 5.1.
Here's my website for helpful links, templates, and sample projects: soundtuts.com
Free LUFS metering plugin: youlean.co/youlean-loudness-m...
Pro Tools article about Film versus SMPTE multitrack order: avid.secure.force.com/pkb/KB_...
00:00 - Intro
02:10 - Panning Dialogue in 5.1
06:22 - Panning Foley in 5.1
06:58 - Panning Sound Effects in 5.1
09:54 - Panning Backgrounds in 5.1
11:12 - Panning Music in 5.1
15:24 - 5.1 reverb tracks
17:10 - 5.1 Submaster Aux tracks
17:32 - 5.1 Printmaster tracks
18:22 - Film order versus SMPTE order
20:36 - Conclusion
You can watch the released film here: vimeo.com/129326298 . Please note that there is mature content (swearing) in the film.
WOW. This came at an unbelievably convenient time, I was just trying to learn how to mix in 5.1. Thank you so much!
Happy to help! Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks for watching!
X2!!
These video's are the best lectures of my studies. And I study computer science and Dutch law, I should not even be here, so really, thanks for these really clear and excellent video's that are just nice, clean and well put together!
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
sir i have been following your flim sound tutorials for the past one year. your teaching is better than my college.i did my flim sound project by watching all the 18 videos. thank u so much for that. can pls teach how to mix in 7.1 surround in the coming days also dolby atmos if possible
Awesome, I'm glad the videos were helpful! So mixing in 7.1 is almost exactly the same as 5.1, you just add some side speakers where you can send more Background and Sound Effect tracks. Atmos is a little more complicated since now you have speakers on the ceiling, but again, similar rules apply as in 5.1. So I might make a video on those mixing formats in the future, but the techniques as so similar that I'm not sure if it's necessary. Hope that helps!
Great quick summary, thanks for this!
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
So nice you are back...
Thanks! Hopefully it doesn't take me a year to make the next video!
dude these vids are gems nice work,
Glad you enjoy them. Thanks for watching!
Another excellent and helpful video! @10:34 Do you find different, additional room tone fx to pan to the back speakers, or offset the front speakers' room tone and pan that to the back? Also, upmix plugins may have improved since you made this video. Would you consider using those for room tone instead of discrete front and back room tone files? Thx!
I'm thinking of getting the SoundTuts Pro Tools tutorial project once I get Pro Tools and Digital Peformer (and my library situated of course). I'm planning to rescore and sound redesign it.
Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions about the tutorials projects on soundtuts.com. Thanks!
Very informative video..hope you will reach at 500k or above subscribers..
Thanks so much! Today I actually just hit 10K, so that's exciting! Thanks for watching!
Thank you sooooooo much! I'm always confused on this matter.
Awesome, happy to help! Thanks for watching!
Great tutorial video!!! Thank you so much!!!👋👋👋
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
This is great, thank you so much!
Happy to help! Thanks for watching!
Great video! Thanks.
Awesome, glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!
this is good easy to understand !
Happy to hear! Thanks for watching!
HI,THANKS FOR VIDEOS .CAN YOU TELL ABOUT DOLBY ATMOS WHAT IS IT AND WHEN AND HOW USED THAT SYSTEM.
Yes, I'm planning on making a video on Dolby Atmos in the near future. In the meantime, you can take a free class from the Dolby website here: professionalsupport.dolby.com/s/learning?language=en_US . Stay tuned!
Return of fhe King
I'm back! Haha thanks for the warm welcome!
A nice concise tutorial. Hope you could do a more detailed video next time. 👍
Thanks! That's fair, I normally try to keep the videos pretty concise since most viewers seem to have short attention spans. However you might be interested in Thomas Boykin's ua-cam.com/channels/aNSyVefyjlmLn7JCJmWZHw.htmlvideos recent mixing videos that are much more detailed than mine. Hope that helps!
@@FilmSoundTutorials I saw his video too, but I found your explanation was much clearer. Also I noticed he separated Dx by checkboarding scene by scene.
Oh cool, I haven't watched through his videos yet, just saw that he posted them. Yep checkerboarding is a pretty standard thing to do and help keeps things visually organized. Of course some mixers have a particular way that they want audio organized, but it's a good starting point.
@@FilmSoundTutorials I used to think that is a good way, but I am kind of persuaded by your way which is one track per person.
@@MPA188 I use both methods depending on the type of project I'm working on, how much time I have to mix it, and if I'm going to be working with others. I use the one track per person method if I'm working on the project solo, versus checkerboarding if I'm working with a team.
This is awesome ! I was wondering for something like Netflix films where it says 5.1… since I don’t have 5.1 setup does it play a stereo version of the mix? So most likely 2 versions were delivered to Netflix ?
It depends on your TV setup and what type of film/TV show you're watching. But in general, yes, multiple versions of the mix are delivered to Netflix. You can actually read their delivery specs here: partnerhelp.netflixstudios.com/hc/en-us/articles/360001794307-Netflix-Sound-Mix-Specifications-Best-Practices-v1-4
@@FilmSoundTutorials This helps a ton! thank you !
Hi, is the film still available to watch somewhere? The link in the description seems to no longer work.
I fixed the link, thanks for letting me know! Here it is as well: vimeo.com/129326298
bro thats so good keep it up .and can i ask you something how can we mute movies actors voice but keep othersound or how can we remove vocal from movies please tell be bro thank you
This is very difficult to do without the movie's original audio files. So I can't really help you with that. Thanks for watching!
I just had a question, for mixing in Surround even the Production process should take place in surround or stereo is alright ?
Generally on-set recording is recorded mono shotgun microphones and then you can pan the audio in post. I guess sometimes you'll also record sound effects in stereo. But normally on-set recording is not done using surround sound or 360 microphones unless you're looking to sound design a 360 video. Hope that helps!
Question: Why can't you automate the volume levels in the SUB tracks rather than in the VCA? Are VCA tracks even necessary if you can do this? Thanks in advance!
You can automate the volume levels in the Sub Master tracks as well, it's just a matter of preference. I generally like using VCAs instead because those faders are placed right next to the tracks you're changing the volume of, versus the Sub Master tracks which are at the bottom of my session. Also, I generally only change the volume of the Sub Masters on my final mix pass, when the VCAs I'll change all of the time during pre-mixing. So it's personal preference. Hope that helps!
wow...amazing ...is possible please kindly help to show how to connect sound card for set up Surround sound..again...thanks for great tutorial . love..
So to be able to properly mix in surround sound you'll need to have a Pro Tools Ultimate software license, an audio interface with 6 outputs, and a 5.1 speaker setup. So you'll need more than just a sound card to make things work. But yes, maybe in the future I'll make a video talking more about 5.1 speaker setups. Thanks for watching the video!
@@FilmSoundTutorials again thanks you so much my brother for showing and teach a lot . This is so wonderful to learn . Thanks you so much
@@SAMAOTENG Happy to help! Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks!
OIk so we now know how to make a 5.1 mix can we export it in Dolby Digital AC3?
Yep that's correct, you can use your 5.1 mix and encode it into a Dolby Digital AC3 file. There aren't too many programs that have the license to encode into AC3, but you can look around. Hope that helps!
Hello, I'm sorry, but I need your help. One famous company demanded from me the sounds of actors in three versions. How can I export audio tracks so that the customer can switch all three options among themselves?
I'm not sure I understand the question. It sounds like you need to make stem tracks of the different dialogue tracks and then export the rest of the audio separately. So then when they import the audio into their editing software, they can mute whichever dialogue track they want. Hope that helps!
Hey. Im trying to boucing a 5.1 film in protools but it doesnt sound. Can you help me please?
There's so many reasons why bouncing in 5.1 might not work, so I need a little more info to try to help you out. What exactly isn't working?
Hi. Can u please explain to me the 8 channels that comes with 7.1 I understand the L R C and the sub channel. But i dont understand 2 channels that feels like 2 copy channels of music L and R. And then the other 2 channels that have both dialog and music. What is what in pro tools? Sorry for my bad inglish 😀.
In a 7.1 speaker setup, the channels are: Left, Right, Center, LFE, Left Side Surround, Right Side Surround, Left Rear Surround, Right Rear Surround. So the difference between 5.1 and 7.1 is that you have an extra speaker on the side walls. Now generally for panning, you only pan the dialogue to the center speaker. For music, you pan it mostly in the L and R speakers, but also to the surround speakers, maybe with some extra reverb, a little delay, and a EQ removing some of high frequencies. This makes the music fill the whole space, but feel like it is mostly coming from the front of the theater. Hope that helps!
@@FilmSoundTutorials Many thanks for good answers. I understand that the dialogue should go to (C) the music to (L & R) in pro tools. But where should the rest of the 4 channels be routed? there are 2 more channels that only have music (feels like a copy of music (L & R), then there are 2 more channels where there is both music and dialogue, and then the sub channel? What are the 4 channels called and what are they add?
Can you pan a single clip or do you have to pan the whole track?
Technically both. You can pan all of the clips on the track to a single location by using the track panner, or if you use track automation, you can individually pan each clip on a track to a different location. Hope that helps!
what did you use to setup the outputs to a 5.1 monitor system?
I'm not sure if I understand the question? This is Pro Tools 10 HD, so it's easy to setup a surround sound system with this version of Pro Tools. You can just use the default I/O settings with any 5.1 audio interface. Hope that helps!
@@FilmSoundTutorials great thanks! do you know a good 5.1 interface?
@@peterm.souzajr.2112 It depends how much you want to spend haha. Here's some interfaces you should look into: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, MOTU 828x, RME Fireface UFX II, Steinberg UR816C. Hope that helps!
you get to this point where you gotten everything sorted and you get the call that they're making edits...now. Is there a way to adjust for the edits without starting all over?
Yes, you don't have to start all over. The process is called re-conforming, and I was just thinking about making a video on how to do it easily. But to give you a sneak preview, you essentially just need to group all of your tracks together, and then compare the guide track of the old cut versus the new cut, and then move your audio clips to match the new picturelock. And then you'll need use the AAF from the new picturelock to fill in any holes that might be left. Hope that helps!
@@FilmSoundTutorials Thanks, I was hoping it would be that simple(?) lol.
@@FilmSoundTutorials So I guess I should get the editor to get me a timecode cut list...lol
@@drebleloaw Yes getting a timecode cut list would be the easiest way to re-conform, but even when I get one, there always seems to be some cuts that's missing from the list. But good luck!
Hi Michael and community. I love your videos and I've watched a lot of them. They got me a promotion at work, so thanks for all you do. I have a question for you and the community. I'm still very new to 5.1 and am still very annoying to those I'm learning from because I cannot just take things as said or at face value. I HAVE TO UNDERSTAND. Which often means you have to be good at explaining. My current disagreement with my seniors is what goes to the centre speaker. The way I'm being taught is that nothing and I mean NOTHING goes to the centre speaker except for dialogue. No music, no sfx including production sfx and Foley. They all have to be removed from the centre by means of centre divergence. So much so that any action that happens ie footsteps at the same time as dialogue must be recreated using Foley and adr because you cannot have footsteps in the centre speaker. Everything that is not dialogue both Mono and stereo has to be centre diverged to come out of the phantom centre and not the centre speaker. This feels like it ads unnecessary time and work. Like I said, I am still new and just wish to understand and not just blindly follow.
Thanks! And congrats on the promotion! No, I've never heard of a rule like that before. It's true that most dialogue should only be panned to the center channel, but most Hollywood films also have PFX audio (such as footsteps) playing from the center as well. I agree, having that rule would cause additional unnecessary work. You can prove this to your seniors by buying some 5.1 movies on Blu-ray and then just soloing the center channel. This was a trick I did while studying where to pan different audio families. Also try soloing the rest of the channels for fun and listen for what audio is playing where. Hope that helps!
Hi!, Could you add the automatic english subtitles? Great Video!!! Thanks
So I'm not sure why UA-cam hasn't automatically generated subtitles for this video. I tried looking up how to force UA-cam to generate the subtitles but I'm not sure if that feature exists anymore. Sorry for that!
@@FilmSoundTutorials Don't worry Michael!!!, am very thanks for your Stereo series, cause allowed to finish the audio postproduction of my first feature film. Your will be in the thanks credits of film.
@@marioselim Woah thank you! That's very kind. That's awesome that you we able to finish the audio on your feature film. Let me know where I can find it online once it's released. Let me know if you have any other audio questions that I should make videos on. Thanks!
@@FilmSoundTutorials Yes of course!, when we premiere, I'll let you know where you can see the film.
@@marioselim Sounds great, thanks!
Whats a fully track?? and when would I use them? KNOWLEDGE ME
I think you might be talking about a Foley track. Foley is sounds added to enhance real world and other visual elements. Such as clothing sounds/footsteps/hand movements/other various objects seen in the film, usually recorded by someone in a sound booth by recreating those sounds with similar objects or other objects that work to bring that visual to life on screen. I would just look up foley artists on youtube and you'll find a ton of good info.
Nice explanation. Thanks!
Pretty sure you're asking about Foley tracks? I have a whole video on Foley recording and editing here: ua-cam.com/video/qwgzlW8C0kM/v-deo.html Enjoy!
but how do you make a 5.1 music track sound good in stereo?
I generally don't get 5.1 music tracks so this normally isn't an issue? And normally if the film's final mix is going to be stereo, then the composer would normally mix their music in stereo as well? Regardless, to answer your question, I would probably fold down the 5.1 mix similarly to my 5.1 to stereo video I made. Hope that helps!
@@FilmSoundTutorials Whenever I bounce down my 5.1 mixes to stereo they always sound off balance, maybe doing a separate stereo mix would be a better option
@@Synthematix Do you use the built in DownMixer?
Which software you are using
Pro tools
@@JayR071 Dear 🙏sir could you please tell me the science
Behind music when and where we should put music kindly tell us or give me website address where I can get
@@bharathkumar2065 This is Pro Tools HD. And normally when you're working on a film, your director and editor tell you where you should add the music. You can find royalty free music online on a bunch of websites. Hope that helps!
@@FilmSoundTutorials Thanks 🙏for replying👉 for my comment dear sir am a video editor we will transfer the file to sound engineer so I want to know where? When? And why? We should use music, sfx, because I don't know 🤷♀when I should add music in a scene
Do you have any website where I can learn something about ducking
I haven't made a video about where to add music in a scene yet, but you can watch my Compression video to learn about ducking.
If that's not enough, there are people out there who mix in 7.1 and Atmos.
Yep! It takes a lot of additional work to fill all of those speakers with audio though. More speakers means more sound editing and mixing work. So just something to keep in mind when a director suggests to mix the audio in those formats. Thanks for watching!
@@FilmSoundTutorials I think 5.1 is enough for indies, but I love to learn about Atmos.
In terms of mixing, the techniques are very similar to 5.1, you just have more speakers around the movie theater. And instead of having a 2D panner, it's a 3D panner. But again, very similar workflow, just more tracks, more audio, more work haha. Hope that helps!