Downmixing to mono

[MaximRecoil]

I want to convert a 5.1 AC3 audio file to a 64 kbps mono MP3 file, which will then be muxed with a video stream in an AVI container.

By loading the video stream into VirtualDubMod and then adding the AC3 stream, I can select full processing mode for the audio and then select a mono MP3 encoding option, and this seems to work, but I lose some volume and I'm not even sure if doing it that way results in all of the channels being properly downmixed into the mono file.

What would be a method of doing this that would preserve the volume level of the original file and also be sure to downmix all of the channels to a mono channel?

Also, would there be any advantage to starting with an AC3 2.0 stereo version of the same audio file, considering that most of the downmixing is already done for you?

[SenorKaffee]

Loss of volume - compared to? When it is "louder" in your DVD player you are facing the common problems converting AC3 encoded audio to plain MP3.

I´d start with the 2.0 information - chances are some audio technician was paid to produce it with a low-cost set of stereo speakers in mind. Then I´d downmix in a wave editor, convert it to MP3 with LAME and mux the MP3 as audio track. You should also check if a stereo MP3 sounds so much worse at that bitrate, unless you want to upload it to Youtube or some other service that only supports mono.

[setarip_old]

@MaximRecoil

Hi!I lose some volumeUnder the VirtualDub "Audio" dropdown menu (Available because you've selected "Full Processing Mode" for "Audio") you'll find a "Volume" option...