Dolby Surround Sound from WAV on DVD

[3chip]

Is there a way to take a wav file, convert it to AC3 and then have it play on a DVD and sound like surround sound? I know you can't really convert it to 5.2 but is there a way to manipulate it to sound similar? A program that wolud do it perhaps?

Phil in Montana

[guns1inger]

This is a method I have used successfully in the past. It will not give you a sound field as good as one generated from scratch, but for music or dance clips, it can be very effective. This ethod is based on the following software

Vegas Video 5 with AC-3 plugin
Sound Forge 7 (any version from 5 up will do)
Vocal Remover (free DX plugin from Analog-X)

In Vegas, make sure your project is set to 5.1 AC3 audio. On each audio track in the editor you should see a small box with a red dot in the middle. This represents the percieved source of that track in the sound field. All you have to do is move the dot around to change the position and relative volume of the track.

If you haven't already, I would suggest breaking your tracks in Vegas into individual tracks to give you individual control. When I have found myself doing similar work, I break the track down into left and right, a combined centre, a copy of centre for the lfe, and a vocal stripped version for the rears. I use Analog-X's Vocal Remover in sound forge to create this.

The output will never be a sophisicated as a 5.1 mix done from scratch, but the results can be pleasing to the ear if done carefully.

[smearbrick1]

"If you haven't already, I would suggest breaking your tracks in Vegas into individual tracks to give you individual control. When I have found myself doing similar work, I break the track down into left and right, a combined centre, a copy of centre for the lfe, and a vocal stripped version for the rears. I use Analog-X's Vocal Remover in sound forge to create this."

What the hell is LFE?

[holistic]

What the hell is LFE?

Low Frequency Effects - AKA the point 1 in 5.1
The rumble in the jungle.
The thump after the jump. :P

[3chip]

I also need to know what lfe is. Phil in Montana

[guns1inger]

LFE drives the sub-woofer, although it is not strictly necessary as there is also a frequency cut off used to drive it as well. This is set in the amp. Many studio releases do not have an LFE track because there is enough to work with in the other channels.

[smearbrick1]

Thanks... I know what Low Frequency Effects are though... man, am I a moron!!