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5.1 Upmix

Convincing and adjustable Stereo to 5.1 Upmixing and Downmixing

Ensuring a smooth transition between 5.1 and stereo audio material is a common broadcast challenge.
Our ‘5.1 Upmix’ option for C10 HD and C100 HDS consoles automatically creates a 5.1 surround mix from a stereo audio source and makes it available for manipulation. Upmixed 5.1 can easily be downmixed back to stereo or mono without any artefacts such as phase cancellation or comb filtering being generated in the downmixed audio.

5.1 Upmix can be applied to any stereo console channel. The system extracts spatial data from the components of the stereo signal to create a convincing 5.1 version of the signal. While a 'Centre' signal provides a soundfield anchor, the spatial elements can be positioned around the Centre to mould a convincing 5.1 effect for the stereo signal.

When 5.1 Upmix is assigned to a specific channel a range of parameters are available for adjustment via assignable hardware controls within the channel strip. The ranges through which each pan parameter can be adjusted has been limited through careful listening tests to allow a diverse range of stereo sources to be upmixed without developing extreme or unconvincing spatial effects. Paramters available for adjustment include;

• Centre signal level trim (C-DB) affects the stereo width of the front image. Nominally set to 0dB, increasing the level will narrow the image and decreasing the level will widen the image
• Centre divergence (C-DV) controls the spread of the front image. Normally set to 50%, a setting of 100% removes all signal from the Centre Channel giving a 4.1 Upmix often required when up mixing stereo ambience with dialogue in the centre channel
• Bias (BIAS) alters the front/rear perspective. Increasing the bias towards the rear gives the perception of signals emanating from behind the listening position and is useful for increasing the effect of surround channels in ambience processing
• Spatial signal front/rear panning (DPTH) controls the surround channels’ contribution and the distribution of the 5.1 soundfield. The default setting is half-way back, giving a diffuse 5.1 spread; increasing the depth moves the signal to the back and increases the spatial width
• LFE gain (LFDB) affects the Low Frequency Effect level._ Turn the Lower Quik-Knob to adjust the L-R pan