5.1 - Bass Management Question

[scottrwn98]

Greetings.

I currently own a MOTU 828 MKII, 5 KRK RoKit 5 Speakers and a Rokit 10 Sub. I have the MOTU set up where there are 6 outputs feeding each speaker directly. This way I can monitor 5.1 mixing from Soundtrack Pro 2. This is for mixing 5.1 for a film, not music.

I read an article on Bass Management and it says I need to route the 5 channels to the sub, as well as the LFE channel (so he sub can receive the LFE channel and the sum of the main-channel bass)

That way I can hear the bass (anything under 53Hz from the main 5 speakers). As of now, my 5 speakers are not feeding to the sub, only the LFE.



So the only bass I get from my main 5 speakers are anything down to 53Hz. Anything below that, I cannot hear unless I put that in the LFE (which is not correct unless its for an effect.)

In a normal 2.1 setup, one would have the main outputs from the MOTU going into the sub and then out to the main two speakers.

How can I route my 5 speakers through the sub (as well as the LFE channel)?

[aedipuss]

looks like a quick way to reduce the impedence to 0 and blow your amp. why not rustle up 5 studio quality monitors, skip the crossovers, and output the bass where it's supposed to go?

[scottrwn98]

So you're saying just get $1300 speakers that are able to produce a LF of 39Hz and only use the Sub as the LFE (anything below that LF range)?

[aedipuss]

yes if it's in the budget. simple, easy, no messy wiring and it will make the total audio output sound more natural.

[scottrwn98]

I have KRK's that are 20KHz to 53Hz that are nice. Most speakers are in that range, except the JBL's, which go down to 39Hz. When I crank them, I hear a little base. I think I'm just used to mixing with my Logitech 5.1 satellite speakers that have a sub. The KRK's are soooo clear.

So the diagram isn't something I need to worry about unless my monitors cut off any LF?

[aedipuss]

right. most 5.1 or dts audio systems will take care of sending the low frequencies to the sub if the owner wishes/or sets it up that way by selecting small surround speakers.