WAV to AC3

[alewisa]

I know this has been asked a few times; I have looked in search. However, no one seems to have posted a definitive answer...

How does one convert from WAV to AC3?

This is what I have done so far:
Converted from mp3 to WAV using Goldwave
Created 6 mono wav files from the above .wav file.

Now, how do I combine and convert into a single AC3 file? (5.1 DD, NOT DTS!)

If you know the answer, please share! If possible, with a step by step explanation of which tool(s) and which settings.

Many thanks in advance!

[Timmychuck]

You get Sony Acid pro, they have 5.1 surround plug-in
found here
http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/products/showproduct.asp?PID=704


there is free one that only converts to 2 channal ac3.
found here
https://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=434#comments

Heres a website on diffrent 5.1 and DTS software

http://www.5dot1.com/equipment/ac-3_and_dts_software_encoders.html

[Isengard]

With Sonic Foundry Soft Encode.

[alewisa]

Cheers guys

Are there any "freeware" tools to do the job?

(and many thanks)

[BJ_M]

With Sonic Foundry Soft Encode.

not been sold for many years

[Tom Roper]

ffmpeggui is freeware, and works reasonably well, but it doesn't support the gain word, so if you use GoldWave to maximize the volume, it gets undone when transcoding the WAV to AC3.

The $29 AC3 plug-in for TMPGEnc DVD Author is what I use.