How to mix in 5.1 Surround Sound & panning

Using the Surround Sound System

Okay, so I'm just going to quickly explain how to actually use the surround sound system.

Mixing in Surround Sound

Obviously, it's great fun to mix in surround because you don't just have two speakers to play with; you have six. This is really amazing because you can make sounds go round and effectively use the sub for extra effects.

Basic Rules for Mixing

Here are a few basic rules to keep in mind while mixing:

• Space for Dialogue:

  • Quite a lot of the music is layered with dialogue and other elements.
  • Make sure there's space for dialogue and your music fits around it.

• Center Speaker Usage:

  • Most dialogue is always in the centre speaker, so use this sparingly.
  • Only use the centre speaker freely if you're 100% sure there won't be any other dialogue or sounds when your music plays.

• Low-Frequency Effects (LFE):

  • Your music should sound good even if it plays out of the front speakers only, without reliance on the sub.
  • If too much material is in the sub, it may be removed in the dub, so prepare for that.
  • As a rule of thumb, avoid putting too much into the sub. It's primarily for:
    • Special Effects: Use it for big effects or booms, like a big bass drum or a slamming sound that hits once or twice.
    • Avoid Constant Uses: Don't place elements like double basses in the sub when they play consistently; save the sub for special occasions.

Surround Speaker Considerations

• Atmospheric Creation:

  • Be cautious with percussive sounds coming from the surround speakers. If audience members hear sounds from behind, it might confuse them.
  • Use surround for creating an atmosphere:
    • Include ambience mics from the orchestra.
    • Consider reverbs and subtle effects.

• Main Music Focus:

  • Main music should be delivered primarily through the front speakers behind the screen.
  • Surround speakers are there to enhance the atmosphere, not to carry the main music.

Creative Use of Surround

• Feel free to be creative with unique sounds or delays in the surround speakers.
• All your 5.1 reverbs will be part of the entire system, contributing to the overall atmosphere.

Conclusion

So, that's really all I've got to say about panning for now.

This concludes the panning chapter, which was quite short, much to your relief! Now, let's move on to the actual mixing.