AC-3 encoders... which might actually work?

[takearushfan]

Hi again,
I'm pretty sure I've asked this before, so I apologize if that's the case. If not I'll continue.
I've tried multiple AC-3 encoders for the sake of creating a 5.1 mix. Sonic Foundry's Soft Encode used to work but it doesn't anymore. I've tried several free apps and commercial trial apps. For some reason these don't work properly. The only thing that works for me now is BeSweet, which scares me, as it's not exactly ideal for creating a good mix. It just "feels" like a very primitive method for creating a 5.1 mix.
What does work for me is the following:
Create my 6 Mono files and use BSMUXWIZ to create a MUX file. Then use BeSweet to take that MUX file and specify that I want a 5.1 AC-3 to be created.
The problem is that even though it works properly, the channel levels seem too low when playing the mix after authoring. I examined the AC-3 waveforms that BeSweet creates after hearing that the levels are too low and sure enough, BeSweet lowers the channels for some reason. It's a royal pain in the arse.
It hurts me that all the works is BeSweet. However it doesn't "work" perfectly since it lowers the channels.
Can anyone suggest what may work/why BeSweet is all that currently maps each channel correctly?
Thanks again,
Justin

[manono]

Soft Encode works for me. I usually do DD 2.0 AC3, but I've done plenty of DD 5.1 encodes in the past.

I agree with you about BeSweet. Have you tried Aften with one of its GUIs?

[jman98]

This is not a practical suggestion for most people, but I'll throw it out anyway. If you've got access to Sonic Scenarist, the AC3 encoder that comes with it works very well.

[takearushfan]

Soft Encode works for me. I usually do DD 2.0 AC3, but I've done plenty of DD 5.1 encodes in the past.

I agree with you about BeSweet. Have you tried Aften with one of its GUIs?

Yep, I've tried that one too. It's another that doesn't "route" properly

[takearushfan]

This is not a practical suggestion for most people, but I'll throw it out anyway. If you've got access to Sonic Scenarist, the AC3 encoder that comes with it works very well.

Hm. I don't have access to that one. You even have to book a demo

[takearushfan]

Wow! Checking "Compress Dynamic Range", under "Boost" certainly helps! I think I solved the lowering of the volume
(still though, if you can think of any encoders that I might not have tried, please let me know)