Recording in 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 etc surround sound

[adamcbest]

anyone ever try this or hear of anyone trying it. I think it would be cool to be able to record something like that and put certain parts in the left surround or right front or do crazy effects like rotate around all the speakers. Obviously you couldn't reproduce it live, but it would be cool if somehow you could record experimental albums using surround sound that you could play through a surround sound stereo system. Any ideas how you may pull this off??

[Demiurge]

A couple years back in college I did a 5.1 surround sound project. I basically took a really thick synth composition I had and spread out the over the channels (we had a new performance hall where the main speaker system supported up to 8 separate surround-sound channels, so it sounded huge). I used Pro-Tools for it and I was really disappointed with it because there was no good way to automate channel shifts- like if I wanted to have the track playing in the left-front channel slowly shift to left-back (as if to spin around you), it was a real PITA. I'm sure Pro-Tools has been updated to handle that process better, though.

[Ozzdoc]

I do.

I have a 7.1 Logitech system running through a Creative Soundblaster X-fi Platnuim.

It's not as great as monitors etc.. since if a computer only has a 2 speaker setup, your going to get complete differnt sounds then out of a 7.1.

[Ibanut]

You can track in surround but you need a mic thats crazy expensive and looks like a head. The mics are in the ears. Mixing in surround is easy if you have the gear for it. Pro Tools HD has surround capabilities. LE doesnt. Its easy to have get the sounds to move around too. The automation in PT is great. I know that the insane clown posse did a surround mix on one of there cds. You cant playback a surround mix on all players though. You'll need a player that reads the surround code. If you have the right gear and software you can do a surround mix pretty easily.

[Demiurge]

Insult upon injury.... I read that damn manual a bunch of times to try to figure out how to automate, but the Insane Clown Posse apparently figured it out. :-(

[Ibanut]

Originally Posted by Demiurge

Insult upon injury.... I read that damn manual a bunch of times to try to figure out how to automate, but the Insane Clown Posse apparently figured it out. :-(

I dont know about the version you used but the version I use is easy. Just play back and put the automation mode in latch and as its playing back then do your pans then go back to read mode. You can also draw automation in the pan part of the edit window

[elcid]

I don't really see the point of it, how many people have the time or patience to sit in the middle of one room and just listen to an entire album. I guess in some sort of self serving musician way it could be cool, but not for the average listener. Usually when I have music on I'm doing work around the house or something.

[Ibanut]

Originally Posted by elcid

I don't really see the point of it, how many people have the time or patience to sit in the middle of one room and just listen to an entire album. I guess in some sort of self serving musician way it could be cool, but not for the average listener. Usually when I have music on I'm doing work around the house or something.

Surround mixes are about to take off. Alot of car makers are making there car stereos play in surround. Lots of pro studios now have the capability of doing a surround mix. Its the future yea baby!!!!!!!!!!!!