Dolby Digital Encoding Software

Steinberg Nuendo Dolby Digital Encoder
The Nuendo Dolby Digital Encoder is a plug-in that allows Steinberg Nuendo projects to be coded into Dolby Digital. Licensed by Dolby Laboratories, the encoder offers the same full functionality as the original Dolby hardware, supporting encoded bit rates from 56 to 640 kbps and channel configurations from mono to 5.1. Dolby 's Bitstream mode, Dialog Normalization, Surround and Center Downmixing Level settings are all included; up to six files from the export dialog or the entire Nuendo project can easily be selected and sent to the plug-in for immediate encoding.
http://www.nuendo.com/

Sonic Foundry Soft Encode (Win)
Soft Encode is a stand-alone Dolby Digital encoder. It will open six channels of 16 and 24 bit PCM.WAV and Raw PCM files with sample rates of 32 kKz, 44.1kHz, or 48 kHz. It can also open Dolby Digital files. It will allow users to boost and cut individual channels.
http://www.sonicfoundry.com/

Minnetonka Audio Software SurCODE (Win)
Minnetonka's Dolby Digital encoder runs on a Windows platform. A simple user interface makes it easy to submit 6 .WAV files for processing. The soundfiles can come from any surround sound authoring system that outputs .wav files in a 5.1 surround format. Minnetonka is adding an interface for automatically submitting sound files from Minnetonka's own Mx51 during final mastering.
http://www.minnetonkaaudio.com/

Kind of Loud SmartCode (Mac/Win)
SmartCode Pro allows Pro Tools users to preview their 5.1 surround mixes in real time 5.1, then encode and decode the mix to create a 6-channel surround master.
http://www.kindofloud.com/products/smartcode_pro.html

Sek'd AC-3 Encoder
The Sek'd AC-3 Encooder is a high quality Dolby Digital encoder. It adds multi-channel Dolby AC-3 export capabilities to Samplitude 2496 and SEQUOIA.  The encoder may run as a stand-alone application assigning a WAV file to each channel to be encoded.  Up to six audio files may be used to create the AC-3 file.  The main dialog box provides rapid selection of data and sampling rates. It supports audio coding modes such as 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 2/1, 3/1, 2/2, and 3/2.  The encoder also provides processing preview with user-selected preview offset and duration.
http://www.sekd.com

Multichannel Digital Audio Software

Emagic Logic Audio Platinum 4.7 (Mac/Win)
Multichannel digital audio software that includes an intuitive surround panner.
http://www.emagic.de/

Mark of the Unicorn Digital Performer (Mac)
Multichannel digital audio software that includes a fully functional surround panner.
http://www.motu.com/

APB Tools SIGMA1 v1.8 (Mac)
Multiformat Surround Sound Production System
http://www.apbtools.com/indexex.html

Human Machines Interfaces InMotion 5.1 Surround Producer (Win)
The InMotion 5.1 Surround Producer is a professional software application for creating multi-channel audio mixes.
http://www.humanmachine.com/

Minnetonka Audio Software Mx51 (Win)
Supports the Yamaha DSP Factory soundcard. Interestingly, it can be used with a force-feedback joystick. The powered joystick lets you sense previously written automation and create new panning paths.
http://www.minnetonkaaudio.com/Mx51_3.htm

http://www.yamaha.com/

Steinberg Nuendo (Mac/Win)
Includes full surround mixing on each of its input channels.
http://www.nuendo.com/

Digidesign Pro Tools 5.1 (Mac/Win)
In Pro Tools 5.1, the TDM mixing environment has been expanded to include multichannel mixing, panning and processing, with support for all standard surround formats.
http://www.protools.com/

Kind of Loud Technologies SmartPan Pro (Mac/Win)
An easy-to-use TDM plug in panner for Digidesign Pro Tools TDM systems. Kind of Loud also makes a nice multichannel reverb plug-in called RealVerb that is really cool. Check it out!
http://www.kindofloud.com/products/smartpan_pro.html

Sek’d SEQUOIA (Win)
SEQUIOI is multichannel digital audio software that provides 5.1 surround panning and 2 channel surround export
http://www.sekd.com/

Multichannel Output Soundcards

Many game developers choose to use a computer audio interface and software with multichannel channel panning instead of an expensive mixing console.  You will need a soundcard with at least six outputs for 5.1 channel Dolby Digital and at least four outputs for Dolby Surround.  The audio interfaces marked with a (*) have been donated to the Dolby Game Developer Support Team and have been used extensively by our labs.

Below is a fairly comprehensive list of the devices available on the market today.

* Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX
The Sound Blaster Audigy delivers stunning audio clarity in multi-channel through 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog converters (DACs), producing an outstanding 100dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).  The Audigy provides low latency ASIO support, extensive connectivity, and built-in Dolby Digital decoding!
http://www.soundblaster.com

TerraTec EWS88MT (Win)
Eight phono inputs and eight phono outputs, MIDI in and out. PCI card + Break out box. S/PIDF in and out.
http://www.terratec.co.uk/ttus/products.htm

Yamaha DSP Factory (Mac/Win)
The DSP factory is basically an O2R mixing deck on a PCI card with six phono connectors for analog audio. The card itself has DSP chips so your host processor is free to work on other tasks.
http://www.yamaha.com/cgi-win/webcgi.exe/DsplyModel/?gRMC00008DSP+FACTORY

Soundscape Mixtreme (Win)
16 channels of 24 bit digital input and output via two industry standard 8 channel TDIF (Tascam Digital Interface) ports. It also has full 24 bit digital mixing and real-time DSP effects plug-ins.
http://www.soundscape-digital.com/Products/Mixtreme/Intro/

Korg Soundlink DRS 1212 I/O PCI Multi-Channel Audio Interface (Mac/Win)
The 1212 I/O features 12 audio inputs and 12 audio outputs: stereo analog, stereo S/PDIF, and eight channel ADAT optical.
http://www.korg.com/

Echo Gina24 PCI Multi-Channel Audio Interface (Mac/Win)
The Gina24 is a cost effective I/O with 2 in/8 out analog, S/PDIF I/O, ADAT digital I/O, and 24-bit/96kHZ performance.
http://www.echoaudio.com/

Echo Layla24 PCI Multi-Channel Audio Interface (Mac/Win)
The Layla24 is an I/O with 8 in/8 out analog, S/PDIF I/O, ADAT digital I/O, MIDI in/out/thru, and 24-bit/96kHZ performance.
http://www.echoaudio.com/

Echo Mona PCI Multi-Channel Audio Interface (Mac/Win)
The Layla24 is an I/O with 4 in/6 out analog (Mic, Line, and Guitar inputs!), S/PDIF I/O, ADAT digital I/O, and 24-bit/96kHZ performance.
http://www.echoaudio.com/

Emagic Audiowerk8 (Mac/Win)
The Audiowerk8 is a 7" PCI recording card with 2 analog inputs and 8 discrete analog outputs plus SP/DIF digital I/O. The Audiowerk8 is equipped with PCI busmastering technology to both reduce the load on your computer's CPU and ensure optimal audio performance.
http://www.emagic.de

Emagic 2|6 (Mac/Win)
EMI 2I6 - the mobile audio interface for the Universal Serial Bus (USB).  The Emagic Multichannel Interface 2I6 delivers six playback and two recording channels at 44.1/48 kHz, 24 Bit audio quality.
http://www.emagic.de

Frontier Design Group Dakota (Win)
Dakota is a superintegrated PCI soundcard that provides two pairs of ADAT optical ports for 16 audio inputs and 16 audio outputs. Dakota has S/PDIF digital audio I/O on RCA jacks via a breakout cable that also includes an ADAT 9-pin sync input connector. Dakota also has two MIDI inputs and two MIDI outputs on standard DIN-5 connectors, and an internal CD-ROM digital audio cable for direct transfers of audio CDs.
http://www.frontierdesign.com/

Frontier Design Group WaveCenter/PCI (Mac/Win)
WaveCenter/PCI is the affordable new ADAT digital lightpipe card for Windows and Macintosh computers. It combines eight channels of lightpipe I/O, two channels of S/PDIF, and a 2x2 MIDI interface on one compact PCI card.
http://www.frontierdesign.com/

* Nuendo 8-I/O (Mac/Win)
The Nuendo 8-I/O has 8-channel AD-Converters, 8-channel DA-Converters, 24-bit ADAT Optical Outputs, a 24-bit TDIF-1 interface, and 24-bit ADAT Optical Inputs.  The 8-I/O has 48 kHz performance while the 8 I/O 96k supports sample rates up to 96kHz.
http://www.nuendo.com/

Nuendo AD-8000 (Mac/Win)
The AD-8000 8-channel 24-bit A/D features a proprietary card interface allowing it to connect to most current digital systems. There are optional cards for various formats including ADAT, TDIF, SDIF-II (DASH), AES/EBU, as well as analog input/output. It allows for transparent format conversion between any of the installed interfaces, and optional 2- and 8-channel D/A cards are also available.
http://www.nuendo.com/

Nuendo 95/52 Audio Card (Mac/Win)
The Nuendo 96/52 Audio Card provides 3 ADAT digital I/O connectors, a SPDIF digital I/O , an ADAT Sync In (9-pin D-type) for sample accurate transfers, a Word clock I/O (BNC) on included expansion back plate, a breakout cable for coaxial SPDIF operation, and supports sample rates up to 96kHz.
http://www.nuendo.com/

Creamware Luna II (Mac/Win)
The Creamware Luna II is a 24-bit / 96 kHz PCI card that provides stereo analog I/O and stereo S/PDIF digital I/O, a Z-Link port for connection of Luna 2496 I/O box (8 additional analog I/Os), and is expandable to 36 I/Os with the 2x ADAT / 1x Z-Link expansion.  The card provides high-speed drivers for ASIO 2.0, EASI, DirectSound, MME, tripleDAT, GigaSampler, OMS, and Sound Manager.   It also provides a MIDI interface (In & Out).
http://www.creamware.de/

Digidesign Pro Tools 24|Mix (Mac/Win)
Pro Tools|24 MIX is a single-card system that provides 64 audio tracks and 16 input and output channels. Pro Tools|24 MIX can be expanded to up to 72 I/O channels and virtually unlimited DSP power.
http://www.digidesign.com/

Digidesign Digi 001 (Mac/Win)
Digi 001 features 18 simultaneous inputs and outputs, including analog, S/PDIF, ADAT optical, and MIDI I/O.
http://www.digidesign.com/

Aardvark Aark24 (Win)
The Aark24 offers true 24 Bit A/D D/A with eight 1/4" TRS Analog I/O, ADAT Optical I/O, ADAT Sync, S/PDIF Digital I/O, MIDI I/O, TOSLINK Optical I/O, Word Clock I/O, TDIF I/O (optional), and AES/EBU I/O (optional).
http://www.aardvark-pro.com/

Aardvark Direct Pro Q10 (Win)
The Direct Pro Q10 has 24 Bit A/D D/A, 8 XLR Mic inputs with phantom power, 8 line inputs, 10 line outputs, 4 inserts, S/PDIF I/O, MIDI I/O, Word clock I/O, and a headphone jack.
http://www.aardvark-pro.com/

Sonorus Studi/o (Mac/Win)
The Studi/o offers two 8-channel, 24-bit Alesis ADAT optical interfaces, and a high-resolution, 18-bit stereo analog monitor/headphone output.
http://sonorus.com/

Sek'd PRODIF A (Win)
The PRODIF A features 1 x ADAT-I/O opt., max. 24 Bit / 48 kHz audio resolution, up to 3 cards can be synced at sample accuracy for a total of 24 channels (16 channels of simultaneous recording). Can also be synchronized to other SEK'D-cards like the Siena, Prodif Plus, and Prodif 96 Pro, driver support for Windows 95/98, ME, NT and 2000 (MME), ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, GSIF for Windows 9x.
http://www.sekd.com/

Sek'd PRODIF PLUS (Win)
The PRODIF PLUS features 24 Bit/96 kHz Digital-In/Out (S/PDIF and AES/EBU), opt. and RCA, 20 Bit/48 kHz Analog-In/Out, ADAT-Interface, driver support for Windows 95/98, ME, NT and 2000 (MME), ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, GSIF for Windows 9x.
http://www.sekd.com/

Sek'd PRODIF 96 PRO (Win)
The PRODIF 96 PRO has 24 Bit/96 kHz Digital-In/Out (S/PDIF and AES/EBU), opt. and XLR, 20 Bit/96 kHz Analog-In/Out, ADAT-Interface, Wordclock-In-Synchronisation, driver support for Windows 95/98, ME, NT and 2000 (MME), ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, GSIF for Windows 9x
http://www.sekd.com/

Sek'd ARC 88 (Win)
| The ARC 88 has 8 analog In/Out + S/PDIF In/Out, driver support for Windows 95/98, ME, NT and 2000 (MME), ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, GSIF for Windows 9x.
http://www.sekd.com/

Sek'd Siena (Win)
The Siena has 8 analog In/Out, 24 Bit/96 kHz, 2 MIDI In/Out, driver support for Windows 95/98, ME, NT and 2000 (MME), ASIO 2.0, DirectSound, GSIF for Windows 9x.
http://www.sekd.com/

Mark of the Unicorn 828 (Mac/Win)
The 828 is a FireWire-based (1394) hard disk recording system with eight 24-bit analog outputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks, six 24-bit analog inputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS jacks, two 24-bit analog inputs on balanced/unbalanced 1/4"/XLR combo connectors, and two mic pre-amps with switchable 48-volt phantom power on the front panel.  The unit has 105dB dynamic range, 8 channels of 24-bit ADAT optical input/output, and stereo S/PDIF in/out in optical and coax.
http://www.motu.com/

Mark of the Unicorn 1296 (Mac/Win)

The 1296 has Twelve channels of balanced, 96-kHz 24-bit analog inputs and outputs using XLR jacks.   It has 19-segment LED meters on every input and output, and 16, 20 and 24-bit recording at 44.1, 48, 88.2 or 96kHz.  It has an Audiowire connector for PCI-324 audio card, and an A-weighted dynamic range of 117dB.
http://www.motu.com/

Mark of the Unicorn 2408 (Mac/Win)
The 2048 has eight analog inputs/outputs with 24-bit converters on balanced/unbalanced 1/4" TRS connectors.  It has 105dB S/N ratio (A-weighted), 24 channels of ADAT optical input/output, 24 channels of TDIF (Tascam digital) input/output, 2 channels of S/PDIF in and 4 channels out, 16, 20 and 24-bit recording at 44.1 or 48 kHz, and includes a cross-platform PCI-324 card.
http://www.motu.com/

Mark of the Unicorn 1224 (Mac/Win)
The 1224 has eight 24-bit balanced TRS analog outs, two 24-bit balanced XLR analog outs, eight 24-bit balanced TRS analog ins, AES/EBU digital I/O, 16, 20 and 24-bit recording at 44.1 or 48 kHz, and the core system includes cross-platform PCI-324 card.
http://www.motu.com/

Bass Management Systems

Bass management redirects bass intended for the five main speakers and routs this bass along with the LFE to the subwoofer.  By concentrating all of the bass information in the subwoofer, bass redirection improves the evenness and clarity of the bass response in your studio.  

Bass management systems in consumer Dolby Digital receivers add 10dB to the signal coming from the LFE channel of the decoder.  This arrangement is designed to ensure that there is plenty of headroom for those special subsonic occasions.  Bass management systems, in addition to providing bass redirection, also supply 10 dB boost to the LFE signal, so that the LFE response in your studio will mirror the response of a consumer decoder.

Miller & Kreisel LFE-4 Bass Management Controller
The LFE-4 Bass Management Controller by M&K has balanced ins and outs, which interfaces nicely with self-powered monitors.
http://www.mkprofessional.com/bass_mgmt.html

Studio Technologies Model 65 Bass Manager
The Model 65 also comes equipped with balanced XLR inputs and outputs.
http://www.studio-tech.com/SCforSurround.htm#M65

TMH Labs  MAPS – Multichannel Audio Processing System
Developed by Tomlinson Holman, this bass management system supports ring-tip-sleeve (RTS) balanced inputs.
http://www.tmhlabs.com/home.htm

Kind of Loud Woofie (Mac/Win)
If you are a ProTools user, check out the Woofie bass management tool from Kind of Loud.
http://www.kindofloud.com/products/woofie.html

Martinsound MultiMAX EX
MultiMAX EX is an all in one surround monitoring solution that handles multiple monitor setups as well as bass management.  MultiMAX EX has 16 speaker outputs with individual trims as well as a master level control.
http://www.martinsound.com

5-Channel Speaker Systems and Subwoofers

Main speakers should be able to play at the same maximum level and have the same frequency response. The simplest way to ensure that the speakers are matched is to make sure they’re all the same model!

The Left and Right should be 30 degrees from Center. The Surrounds should be 110 degrees from Center. All three front high frequency drivers, or tweeters, should be in a straight horizontal line.

The LFE channel, which accounts for the "0.1" in "5.1", is a monaural channel that operates below a frequency between 80 and 120 Hz. The LFE has 10 dB greater headroom that any main channel. Therefore, a bass management system will most likely boost the LFE 10dB. Remember, the Subwoofer and the LFE are not the same. The LFE is the 0.1 channel, the Subwoofer is the speaker. The LFE, as well as bass from other channels, may appear in the Subwoofer.

Calibration:

All main channels should be calibrated to the same level using an SPL meter set to "C-weighted slow", and either pink noise or the noise generator in your Dolby Digital decoder.  The SPL meter should be positioned at arm's length from the listening station, pointing up at an angle of 45 degrees to the center speaker. 

Remain in this position to take readings from the three front speakers (Left, Center, Right).  When taking the SPL readings for the left surround and right surround speakers, keep the meter at the same angle and position as you did for the front speakers.  Turn your body 90 degrees from the center speaker towards the wall closest to the surround speaker you are measuring.  Remember, for each individual reading, play pink noise only through that speaker.

The reference mixing level for small rooms is 79 to 85 dB SPL per channel.

The Subwoofer should be calibrated, with the 10dB LFE boost active in your bass management system, so that it is 4-6 dB hotter than the mains. The test noise used for subwoofer calibration should be pink noise low-pass filtered at 120 Hz.  It is best to use an RTA for subwoofer calibration, though an SPL meter can give you an approximate reading.  Subwoofer calibration is an area of controversy. Make sure to verify Subwoofer calibration by listening to a familiar movie in Dolby Digital.

We are available to answer questions about studio calibration and set-up.  Please contact us!

Radio Shack Sound Level Meter
This is a great, inexpensive SPL meter. Analog and digital display models are available. We like the analog one – it’s easy to use and it’s cheaper!
http://www.radioshack.com/

Kind of Loud Tweetie (Mac/Win)
If you are a ProTools user, check out the Tweetie calibration plug-in.
http://www.kindofloud.com/products/tweetie.html

Terrasonde Audio Toolbox
Contains a very precise SPL meter, an RTA, a pink noise generator, as well as other useful audio features.
http://www.terrasonde.com/