Mixing Consoles (for Dolby Surround)

A console with film-style panning will allow the greatest flexibility in placing sounds. Console automation will help create complex mixes and precise pans.

Inexpensive stereo mixing consoles can be used, although complex panning will be difficult. The mixer will need a stereo bus, and one pre-fader auxiliary send. Set the stereo bus to Left and Right, and the auxiliary send to Surround. There will be no connection to the Center input of the SEU-4 in this case. Use the pan knob on the mixer to pan between the Left, Center and Right channels. To steer to Surround, bring up auxiliary send, and lower the fader on the signal.  Mixing consoles with at least 2 stereo busses can be used in a similar way, by panning between Left and Right on one bus, and panning between Center and Surround on the other.

Here are some popular examples of consoles with film-style panning:

* Mackie Digital 8-Bus
http://www.mackie.com/

Panasonic DA-7mkII
http://www.panasonic.com/

Roland VM-7000
http://www.rolandus.com

Sony DMXR100
http://www.sony.com

Tascam TM-D4000
http://www.tascam.com/

* Yamaha 02RV2
http://www.yamaha.com/

Yamaha O3D
http://www.yamaha.com/

Dolby Surround Encoders

Dolby Surround encoders accept as input four channels of audio, and output two surround-encoded channels.  This is also known as matrix encoding and the output is sometimes called Lt/Rt encoded.  The output of a Dolby Surround encoder is stereo compatible, and will play back on any two-channel system.  The output can also be sent to a Pro Logic or Pro Logic II decoder, and be rendered back into four channels. 

Surround encoded material can be used in any 2-channel PC or console game.  These games may wear the Dolby Surround logo to encourage gamers to listen to the four-channel audio as intended.  Real-Time interactive sound effects can be mixed with sound created with a Dolby Surround encoder.  For further surround effect, it is highly recommended that real-time interactive sound effects use one of the listed Dolby Surround Interactive Solutions.

Dolby Laboratories DP563

Featuring a digital implementation of the encoder used in the analog SEU4 Dolby Surround Encoder, the DP563 combines discrete Left, Center, Right, and Surround input signals into Dolby Surround format. The DP563 can also pre-mix discrete, 5.1-channel material to the four channels required for Dolby Surround matrix encoding.   The DP563 is highly recommended for game developers interested in Surround Encoding.
http://www.dolby.com/pro/digaudio/563.pdf

Dolby Laboratories SEU-4
The Dolby SEU4 encodes discrete four-channel program material (Left, Center, Right, and Surround) for Dolby Surround release. The resulting matrix-encoded two-channel Left total/Right total (Lt/Rt) material can be distributed via any consumer stereo medium. 
http://www.dolby.com/pro/multiaud/SEU4.pdf

Pro Logic Decoders

Dolby Laboratories DP562
The Dolby DP562 is a professional reference Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoder. Its inputs and outputs are all XLR AES digital, so be prepared to provide a Digital-to-analog converter if you're going to route the outputs to analog components.  A DP562 is highly recommended for all game developers using Dolby technology.
http://www.dolby.com/pro/digaudio/562.pdf

Dolby Laboratories SDU-4
The SDU4 Dolby Surround reference decoder is used to monitor Dolby Surround encoded two-channel programs. The unit provides switchable stereo and monophonic monitoring modes for evaluating mix compatibility, as well as balanced connections. 
http://www.dolby.com/pro/multiaud/SDU4.pdf

Consumer Recievers with Dolby Pro Logic decoding

Although we highly recommend using our SDU-4, those on a budget can use a consumer Pro Logic decoder as a viable alternative. This solution is not ideal, but it is functional.  A game should always be tested on a variety of consumer recievers.  This can be done free of charge by Dolby Laboratories for games using Dolby technology.

Digidesign Dolby Surround Tools
Encoder and Decoder TDM Plug-Ins bundled together for users of Pro Tools
http://www.protools.com/

Soundscape Dolby Surround Pro Logic Encoder/Decoder Plug In
Developed for the Soundscape V2 Mixer environment. The Soundscape V2 Mixer is also equipped for surround mixing and now includes new elements for Surround channel strips and Surround Panners.  Requires Soundscape DAW with V2.04 software or Soundscape Mixtreme PCI Card with V1.05 software. Surround Channel Strips and Panners provided as standard with these versions.
http://www.soundscape-digital.com/Products/DolbySurround/Intro/index.html

4-Channel Speaker Systems and Subwoofers

All three front speakers should be able to play at the same maximum level and have the same bandwidth. The frequency response of the Surround channel rolls off at 7 kHz, so speakers which perform comparably to the front speakers in this range should be adequate. The simplest way to ensure that the speakers are matched is to make sure they’re all the same model!

The Center speaker should be straight ahead. 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. Surround speakers should be placed directly facing each other on the side walls about two feet behind the engineer's seating position and at least two feet above the engineers head.

All main channels (not speakers) should be calibrated to the same level, using an SPL meter set to "C-weighted slow".  The SPL meter should be positioned at the listening station, pointing upward and slightly forward.  The reference mixing level for small rooms is 79 dB per channel.  Refer to your Dolby Decoder manual for instructions on calibrating your system.

A subwoofer is not required for Dolby Surround mixing.  If you use one, it should be calibrated by ear while playing pink noise through the sub and the main channel against a main channel with pink noise by ear, and then dropped around 5 dB. Subwoofer calibration is an area of controversy. Make sure to verify Subwoofer calibration by listening to familiar movies in Dolby Surround.

If you are going to be mixing for both Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround in the same studio, configure the studio as recommended for Dolby Digital.   The main speakers should be calibrated at equal volume using a pink noise generator from your console or a Dolby DP562. When calibrating a Dolby Digital studio for Dolby Surround, make sure you adjust the output volume from the decoder to calibrate the mono surround channel, if possible, rather than readjusting the gain on the speakers themselves. 

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