Surround 5.1

[Mike Kujbida]

Without creating a sound file specifically for surround sound, the best you can get is a pseudo 5.1 by changing your project properties from stereo to 5.1 Surround.

[George12]

Is there a better way of doing this, such as using another software program, such as soundforge or audition, in translating a wave file into 5.1 surround sound?

[Mike Kujbida]

Vegas is the tool to use but you’re missing an important point here.
An existing wave file (let’s assume it’s a stereo music track) is only a portion of a true 5.1 project.
That still leaves you with 4 other tracks to have information on.
My suggestion is to browse the Dolby Labs web site to learn what’s involved in doing this right the first time.

[Rick Mac]

[george12] “I have a wav file and I would like to transpose it 5.1 surround sound. How to do it?”

A stereo wav file will always be a stereo file. You could fade it into the rear speakers however it would still be a stereo source faded into the rear speakers (no space). You could perhaps add some reverb or delay to the stereo track and fade that to the rear for more space. However it still would not have the depth and space of a true 5.1 mix.

You ask how do I get a 5.1 mix? You take all of your elements (tracks) and put them in different locations in the surround landscape, or use a surround mic to capture your soundfield.

Regards, Rick.

Rick Mac
Director of Audio Production
TCT Network – Directv 377