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00:00:00 – 00:07:00
The video provides a comprehensive guide to setting up and calibrating a near-field 5.1 surround sound system for immersive audio production. It covers the essential equipment, including five main speakers, a subwoofer, an interface with at least six outputs, and appropriate software for mixing and control. Key brands for speakers include JBL, KRK, Yamaha, Presonus, and Adam, with a recommendation for the Adam T5Vs. Emphasis is placed on maintaining speaker consistency by using the same brand and series across all channels.
The video also offers cost-effective strategies, such as using higher quality speakers for main and surround channels and more affordable ones for the center channel. Proper calibration of the subwoofer and volume control across all speakers is crucial. Suggested interfaces include the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, and recommended software includes Cubase Pro, Nuendo, Pro Tools Ultimate, Reaper, and DaVinci Resolve.
Additional necessary accessories like audio cables, stands, and power conditioning equipment are discussed. The importance of custom-length balanced cables and precise monitor placement is highlighted. For system calibration, an SPL meter and omni microphone are suggested. The speaker provides helpful links and encourages viewer engagement for more detailed future content.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the basics of getting into mixing surround and immersive audio, focusing particularly on 5.1 systems. This video is the first of a two-part series on building and calibrating a professional surround sound system. The presenter explains that 5.1 surround sound is a long-standing format used in consumer systems, broadcast, and digital cinema, with many film distributors requiring it for submissions.
There are two types of 5.1 setups: near-field and far-field. Near-field setups, similar to home listening environments, use smaller speakers placed within 10 feet of the listener and often need bass management. Far-field setups, used in theaters, have larger speakers placed farther away and are more complex and costly to set up, generally impractical outside dedicated studios.
The video focuses on setting up a near-field 5.1 system. The necessary equipment includes five main speakers, a subwoofer, monitor control, an interface with at least six outputs, and mixing software. The choice of monitors depends on personal preference, with recommendations for brands like JBL, KRK, Yamaha, Presonus, and Adam. The presenter uses Adam T5Vs and emphasizes the importance of using five monitors from the same manufacturer for consistent sound.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker provides advice on building a cost-effective surround sound setup. They recommend using higher quality speakers for the left, right, and surround channels while opting for cheaper ones for the center channel, ensuring all speakers are from the same series for consistency. A subwoofer is necessary for the 0.1 LFE channel and should be carefully calibrated, as detailed in a separate video.
Volume control is crucial and should affect all speakers and subwoofer simultaneously to maintain calibration. Hardware surround sound monitor controllers are usually expensive and intended for post-production studios, but more affordable options are available through interface controllers and software. For a 5.1 setup, an interface with at least six output channels is needed, with the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 recommended due to its robust control software and flexibility.
Software is also essential for mixing and control, with suggestions including Cubase Pro, Nuendo, Pro Tools Ultimate, Reaper, and DaVinci Resolve, which all support 5.1 surround sound panning. Surround-specific plugins for EQ, compression, reverb, and other utilities are useful, and potential future videos may cover these. Base management and monitor control can also be handled with plugins, with built-in options in Nuendo and Resolve or third-party tools like Waves’ m360 Manager.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the accessories needed to complement an interface and monitors, such as audio cables, stands, and a rack mount power strip or power conditioner. The speaker emphasizes the importance of soldering custom-length balanced cables and having stands to position the monitors’ tweeters at ear height. For system calibration, which will be covered in the next video, an SPL meter capable of C-weighted measurement and an omni microphone are recommended. The speaker provides links to all the used items in the video’s description and encourages viewers to like, comment, and subscribe for more content.