Advice for Professional 5.1 mixing

[scottrwn98]

PC 3.2GHz 2Gig Ram
Mac Quad Xeon 2.0GHz 3.5Gig RAM

Greetings. We are about to shoot a 35mm feature film and my producers are asking questions about post-production audio mixing. I will only be mixing audio; NOT recording multi-track channels.

My question: What audio software is the best for mixing 5.1 audio for a film that IS NOT ProTools?

My options are this:

• Sony Vegas 7 (which I've used before and like the 5.1 interface for mixing on satellite speakers)
  SoundTrack Pro 2
  Digital Proformer 5.1 (which was recommended from Guitar Center instead of Pro Tools)

Here is what I'll be purchasing soon:

• KRK Rokit5 Speakers (x5)
  KRK Sub (x1)
  Mogami XLR to TRS Cables (x6)
  RME FireFace 800 Audio Interface

Now, I spoke with Dolby Laboratories and they only run Pro Tools, but said as long as my final output is WAVE files (one wave file per track, up to 400 tracks) he said I could use "Whatever" to mix my audio; as long as common sense applies to mixing audio. They will make the final mix and adjust anything that might seem too loud or quiet, etc.

What software is good for mixing 5.1 audio? I've had the best luck with Vegas on the PC. I own a Mac & PC, and I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks!

[Cornucopia]

Well,

I would have said ProTools or Sadie, but you said no ProTools (and Sadie is about as $$$).
Vegas 6/7/8 should be good, as long as your monitoring setup is good.

I don't know about those KRKs...
Threads that have mentioned them put them in a similar class to NS-10s, and I WOULD NOT monitor with those. I'd stay away from "satellite" style and go with 5 FULL-RANGE speakers (plus the SUB). Mackies? (they're powered)

Scott

[scottrwn98]

So Vegas is good? I've used it more than the others. Guitar Center recommended Digital Performer. And Dolby said use Pro Tools.

Oh, I totally agree about the satellite speakers. I can't believe I've been editing with them this long on short films.

As far as I know, the KRK's were recomended from Guitar Center. He gave me an alternative if budget wasn't a problem, which were the JBL LSR4328P speakers and are $1400 for a pair of two (making it $2,997.50 for 5). They self calibrate. Woot woot.

All of my speakers will be powered and connected through a Audio Interface.

I was also told by a music mixing guru that its a good idea to mix with the powered speakers and use my satellite speakers as a "listening" set of speakers for down mix. He also said 5.1 must be listened to in Mono to make sure all sounds are balanced.

[Soopafresh]

"He also said 5.1 must be listened to in Mono to make sure all sounds are balanced."

Dunno about that. You're sitting closer to the rear speakers, so they don't need to be quite as loud as the front. Besides, the rears are mainly used for effects.

"As far as I know, the KRK's were recomended from Guitar Center. He gave me an alternative if budget wasn't a problem, which were the JBL LSR4328P speakers and are $1400 for a pair of two (making it $2,997.50 for 5). They self calibrate. Woot woot. "

Seems excessive, yes?

RE:KRKs You'll prolly want 1 of the RP10s speakers for the sub (Captain Obvious, here)

BTW, are you going to be receiving multiple tracks or are you upmixing from 2.0 to 5.1?

[scottrwn98]

Well I meant to say 5.1 downmixed to Mono to make sure nothing is canceled out.

Yup, I am getting the RP10 for the sub.

I'm not receiving any audio tracks except the one recorded by the DAT tape (or memory cards). and I will be creating the 5.1 mix.

My questions is what is a good software program to edit with; I'd been editing with Vegas. The multipule tracks that I'd be importing will be at Dolby Laboratories with their senior soung engineer.

[Soopafresh]

Have a look at Steinberg Nuendo. Not cheap, but great. I've used Steinberg Wavelab for years and it is a fantastic editor.

http://www.steinberg.net/95+M52087573ab0.html

Flash video presentation of Nuendo

http://www.steinberg.net/385_1.html

[Cornucopia]

Nuendo is very good quality, but I don't like it's user interface anywhere near the fluidity and work efficiency of ProTools (Yes, I'm spoiled...). I don't know if you want to be learning yet another user interface...

Here's a thought-I think the new version of Soundforge (which supports video playback) would give you much more Audio-centric capabilities, similar interface. If you're actually NOT doing any video editing you don't need all the Video features of Vegas.

Scott

[scottrwn98]

I actually used Vegas 6 for a few years now and I use Sound Forge for my noise reduction and compressor tools. I've been reading that the new Sound Forge looks a lot like Vegas 6, as far as the interface.

And yes, all of this would be for audio only. I'll check into Nuendo. But whats the advantage over Vegas / SoundForge?

After saying that, what is the REAL difference between all above versus ProTools? Other than the fact that ProTools is the Industry Standard.