Cubase SX3 and SRS Circle Surround - Surround users, help!!!

[Compyfox]

I sure write a lot lately. This one goes out to Cubase SX users, and especially to those who use the SRS Circle Surround Plugins by SRS Labs. If this thing belongs to "hosts", please move it there.


Let me tell you what's going on:
I got the demo from the SRS Labs page to get to know what this thing is capable of and how it sounds. The plugin sure is nice in terms of "downmixing from 5.1 to stereo" (in a similar technique as Dolby ProLogic II - but cheaper!). But I also had problems with Cubase SX3.

This plugin is supposed to be put into an insert channel of the surround bus. And this is where the problems start:

I fire up Cubase, setup a 5.1 surround bus (output). I know from magazines that SX2 had different setup possibilities for surround output, however it was standardised with SX3 and the later upgrades from Nuendo (before SX3 was out). Anyway... I have the standard ports: L, R, C, LFE, LS, RS (in that order).

Now I load an arrangement - stereo file, or already 6 concrete channels - and route the stuff to the output bus. All channels show reaction, L and R normally, Center and surround a bit, and of around -6dB the subwoofer too. Next step is putting the SRS CS Encoder into the output bus.


Said and done. Usually the plugin should show that there're signals on all channels, but it ignores the LS, CS and RS (center surround isn't needed, as SX can only do 5.1 mixes and I don't have a 6.1 amp anyway). So my senses were tingling like "there sure is something wrong". I even tried a normal stereo file and routed it to the "surround channels" only to see if the plugin responds or not. Not a single reaction.


Now my question to all users of SX3 and this particular plugin:
1) How does Cubase have to be setup properly so that all channels work and the plugin recognises them properly?

2) How is this done? I can only setup Mono, Stereo, special oldschool quad channels, 5.0, 5.1 and 6.0 Cinema/Music busses - nothing else or "free setups"


And on a sidenote:
Can I master (cutting, arranging, EQ/limiting/loudness raising) the SRS encoded files in Wavelab, or will the encoded matrix be destroyed (aka will it be destroyed while applying dithering)? And what about encoding those SRS encoded files into mp3 (for demo purposes on the internet) - matrix gone due to the psychoacoustic encoding or does it remain?



Thanks for the help, really apreciate it cause the demotime is only 7 days.

[Compyfox]

Bump... and somebody please move this over to "Hosts", maybe I get some better answers there. I really need help!