Stereo to 5.1 with Bidule and Audition(Cool-Edit)

[asscore]

I thought I'd throw this together quick, as this has given me the best results.

so some basic setup:
I like to arrange the folder structure for ease of use. this is the layout I use.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/7923/foldersetup.jpg
I put the following files in a folder named the khz im working at. i.e 44.1khz or 48khz
finished: this is where your digitally encoded files are saved
SRC: this is where your split, mono wavs go
UCMCA: un-compressed multi channel audio. this is where your big six channel wavs go.

I also am fond of using shortcut bars with all my most frequently used audio applications
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/1930/toolbar.jpg

I use the same basic bidule settings outlined by EOH.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/7055/bidulesetup.jpg

after outputing the 6 channel pcm wav from Bidule I open up Audition

Go to File/Import and select your 6 channel audio file.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/7883/audimport.jpg

Once the file is imported it will open in the browser on the left.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/5017/audfilemenu.jpg

Drag the numbered channels into the appropriate slots
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/5969/auddragging.jpg

you are now ready to open the multi-channel mixer. hit ctrl+E
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/441/audsurroundmixer.jpg

You can preview you mix by using the play all button. By default the LFE channel is turned off. If you are using an LFE channel move the slider to your volume preference.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/3108/audsmixplaying.jpg

You can also adjust the soundfield to your preferences.
http://img66.exs.cx/img66/6305/audsmixsurround.jpg

Once you are ready, hit export. This menu will come up
http://img64.exs.cx/img64/2092/audexportmenu.jpg

select six mono wavs- windows pcm 32bit normalized. name the file, and hit export.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/3507/audmonowavs.jpg

When it is done exporting open up surcode. Fill in your channels. Name your output file. You can also preview your mix in surcode, now normalized.
Hit encode if your satisfied.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/3518/surcode.jpg
blingo-blango! open nero and burn

[daphy]

select six mono wavs- windows pcm 32bit normalized. name the file, and hit export.

Hi asscore

1. what does this 'kind' of normalization mean? Each individual WAV will be normalized depending on its own 0db barrier OR the 0db barrier will regarded on ALL files (that the special function of besweet´s gain process).
Looking at your WAV from the screenshots your final DTS-file must be mostly bass because your LFE seams (for me) much too loud (too much peak) in comparison to the other channels :rolleyes:

2. playing with the surround panner on audition could be dangerous, because you could loose your ambisonic effect - kempfand, what do you think about that :rolleyes:

3. I´m not very familar with this surround panner, but why do you use as panning assignment the option 'stereo source' when you import files from a multichannel WAV :confused:

You can preview you mix by using the play all button. By default the LFE channel is turned off. If you are using an LFE channel move the slider to your volume preference.

means you need a 5.1 sound card, it´s part of my personal whish list :D :D :D

Am I right: you use the channel mapping L,R(2),C(3),LFE(4),SL(5),SR(6)?

[asscore]

I'll try to adress your concerns in the order you adressed them:
1. Using the export feature from the surround mixer normalizes based on the 0db barrier of all files... just like besweet, only simplier to use (I think anyway).

Looking at the graph the LFE does seem too loud. however if you notice the peak markers in the surround mixer, it only appears that way. the peak markers are the little yellow lines in the VU(see below) In any occasion you can set the level slider to your preference.
http://img61.exs.cx/img61/3108/audsmixplaying.jpg
I should mention that I dont normally use a LFE channel. The amp that is hooked up to my computer(sony sts series) doesnt share bass from the main channels with the LFE....(and I have satalite speakers) However my living room stereo(yamaha) does share low freq and sounds great regardless of the prescence on an LFE channel in the mix. However with the LFE channel included in the mix, it definately doesnt sound bad.

2. I didnt consider the effects of using the surround panner might have on the ambisonic field.... I'll have to test this out. I've never had the need to adjust it from its default position. You may very well be correct tho....

3. regarding the surround panner's panning assignment option
this is basically where you set what you want to tweak with the panner ... you can manually adjust speakers individually, in pairs, front with the center channel, front with LFE, etc. etc.

and yes... i just bought an Audigy 2 ZS- very nice upgrade from realtek ac97 onboard :)

I was a little dissapointed about one thing with it though-
I thought It basically used a dsp to encode to digital sound on the fly. Unfortunately this is not the case. If you connect it to your amp with spdif or optical cable, you only get stereo output! to connect to 5.1 you have to connect it through the 5.1 channel preamp input! I thought this was bullsh!t! This is because the soundcard will only output uncompressed 48khz pcm audio, no encoding on the fly, you can only "pass through" digital signals from apps like windvd, power DVD, or games with there own encoder(like the upcoming DOOMIII)

[asscore]

and yes your channel mapping is correct

[asscore]

Also I wanted to add, that i have a bin/cue cd image (zipped about 150mb) containing one song-freely tradeable by permission- In the following four formats.

Grateful Dead- Attics of my Life
5 channel dolby digital (no LFE)
5.1 channel dolby digital
5 channel DTS (no LFE)
5.1 channel DTS

This song really shows off the effects of ambisonics on a group chorus voice.

Is anyone interented in hosting this?