mixing 5 channel files down to 2 channel

[claudearrieu]

Is there a simple way to create a 2 channel stereo file from a 5 channel surround sound file in Acoustica 7? Do the channels have to be mixed in a certain way, or is it just a case of taking the L and R channels and ditching the rest? Thanks in advance for advice.

[Gevatter]

It seems that even Stian has no Answer!

[Logga]

Is there a simple way to create a 2 channel stereo file from a 5 channel surround sound file in Acoustica 7? Do the channels have to be mixed in a certain way, or is it just a case of taking the L and R channels and ditching the rest? Thanks in advance for advice.

There are slightly different algorithms of downmixing from 5 channels down to 2 and I believe it also depends on the source format (DTS, AC3...).
You can find various discussions if you do a search, like: https://superuser.com/questions/852400/ ... ing-ffmpeg
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?topic=55442.0

In Acoustica you can choose Tools > Convert Sample Format and select 2 channels. I don't know exactly which method it uses, but it includes the audio from all 5 channels for the final mix.

Just taking the L and R channels and ignoring the rest is not what you typically do. Although when you play a 5 channel file in Acoustica you do only hear the front L and R channels, at least if you use a 2 channel sound card. But on conversion, as I said, it includes audio from all 5 channels.

[claudearrieu]

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Is there a simple way to create a 2 channel stereo file from a 5 channel surround sound file in Acoustica 7? Do the channels have to be mixed in a certain way, or is it just a case of taking the L and R channels and ditching the rest? Thanks in advance for advice.

There are slightly different algorithms of downmixing from 5 channels down to 2 and I believe it also depends on the source format (DTS, AC3...).
You can find various discussions if you do a search, like: https://superuser.com/questions/852400/ ... ing-ffmpeg (https://superuser.com/questions/852400/properly-downmix-5-1-to-stereo-using-ffmpeg)
https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?topic=55442.0 (https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php?topic=55442.0)

In Acoustica you can choose Tools > Convert Sample Format and select 2 channels. I don't know exactly which method it uses, but it includes the audio from all 5 channels for the final mix.

Just taking the L and R channels and ignoring the rest is not what you typically do. Although when you play a 5 channel file in Acoustica you do only hear the front L and R channels, at least if you use a 2 channel sound card. But on conversion, as I said, it includes audio from all 5 channels.

Many thanks for that - it's very helpful

[Logga]

I'll to use this thread for a feature request: Some downmixing presets in "Channel Mixer". At least for common tasks such as 5.1 to stereo.

I didn't examine all the literature/specs, but add whatever is or whatever are the most relevant standards, if it's just summing percentages. An example from that superuser link above (5.1 -> 2):

Code: Select all

FL = 0.374107*FC + 0.529067*FL + 0.458186*BL + 0.264534*BR + 0.374107*LFE 
FR = 0.374107*FC + 0.529067*FR + 0.458186*BR + 0.264534*BL + 0.374107*LFE