How to make Dolby digital 5.1 on Audio CD. (Not a question b

ontik · Post by **ontik** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 8:00 am

This is about the best tip I think I've ever had to offer.

Some of you may already be able to do this but I know I spent a lot of time finding out how to do it. I know the question has been raised here but I never found the answers I was looking for.

What you'll need:
1. Any mixer that allows for 5.1 channel output. (STM 48 S is the current one and I can't recall the model no. of the older ones)
2. Audio recording software (y'know Cubase or Logic)
3. A digital connection between your soundcard and a dolby 5.1 receiver and may I take this opportunity to stress that you should have this and at least 5 speakers connected. (All but the Sub)
4. An AC3 Encoder (They're expensive aren't they? Read On.)
5. CD Burner & Blank CD

What to do:
Firstly get your mixer and 5.1 receiver configured and working. Create your mix so that you have your 6 (or 5) outs from the going of to 6 (or 5) there4 desired speakers

Next, in your CW project, route your 6 (or 5) channel output to 6 (or 5) asio dest channels. You are trying to create 6 (or 5) separate mono wavs, one for each channel. So record them in the audio app of your choice.

Next using your AC3 encoder.... Oh hang on I forgot.

I am having an ethical dilemma on this one. Sonic Foundry once sold a program called Soft Encode but don't anymore. So although I am not a user of cracked software (anymore cos I'm a developer and after a crisis of conscience decided that ownership has its privileges

) I have chosen to use it cos I can't buy it from them and its still out there in crack land. If you need to know where it is lemme know.

In short, Soft Encode allows you to import your 6 (or 5) mono files and generate an AC3 file. (File format for Dolby 5.1)

In order to get this thing to work on standard Audio CD's (Although it must be played back via a DVD player ONLY. You can trash speaker if you try on a normal CD player.) Follow this link and read it:

http://www.modernrecording.com/articles ... -ac3.shtml

Follow the instructions and start handing out cheap audio CD's containing Dolby 5.1 recordings to your mates who have DVD players and home theatre setups. So I'm a show off. Sue me

Many of you like myself will be able to do this without cost as you will have almost all you require to do the job already. (Most audiophiles have home theatre already don't they?)

Quite a coup I thought.

Enjoy
ontiK

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ontik on 2002-06-20 09:03 ]</font>

Neutron · Post by **Neutron** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 8:41 am

Thanks for a great tip, i will have to try this for sure! what happens if you make an mp3 from the encoded wave, can it still be decoded in a reciever?

ontik · Post by **ontik** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 3:15 pm

No I'm afraid not.

The best possible compression you can hope for is described in the text in the link. Apparently you can zip AC3-Wavs to some degree. But this is not an area I know a lot about.

What I do know is that is the file format that is important to the receiver and mp3 is not acceptable.

Cheers

eliam · Post by **eliam** » Thu Jun 20, 2002 4:05 pm

Thanks for the tip! I'll put that to work at some point...

Zer · Post by **Zer** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 8:19 am

2 complicated...i just will use my samplitude for that...works better in that matter.

ontik · Post by **ontik** » Tue Jun 25, 2002 4:11 pm

I assume you are referring to SEK'D's AC3 Encoder? How is it any different to Soft Encode? The process is the same only I would be using a CW mixer instead of Samplitude and I'd rather be using CW mixers than any other software based mixing option. But please feel free to enlighten me to any significant differences

I may have been somewhat verbose here but I remember a time where I required this level of detail.