Some questions/comments, re: mono, 2.0 and restoration...

[takearushfan]

Hey all,
For a while now, I've been really digging the whole 5.1 "scene". Though, I've found out the hard way that it's virtually impossible to take a mono source and create a 5.1 mix from it. We all know the plethora of reasons behind this, so I won't get into that. Anyway...
I recently took a clip from a film that has a mono soundtrack and tried to create a 2.0 mix out of it. In my humble opinion, it worked out rather well. This clip has nothing but dialog taking place, so I didn't need to worry about music/sound effects, etc. "getting in the way". Now, as a general consensus, is this a feasible "project"? Any thoughts?
Also, does anyone have any pointers on restoring a soundtrack? I know that's a loaded question, but this soundtrack needs some serious boosting, but when I do so, there's an enormous amount of hiss as a result... arg!
I'd just appreciate any various input here.
Thanks,
Justin

[stevethomson]

I wouldn't completely write off the notion of creating a 5.1 version of your 2-channel from mono source. With some very subtle convolution with decent quality impulse responses, you could get surround channels that give a sense of ambience to the whole thing. They key is to be subtle. People have a tendency to crank things when working with reverb and it ends up being too much.

[takearushfan]

Hi there,
Thanks for the reply. You know, I'm not just saying this, but I *constantly* use your plugin suite to experiment with creating 5.1 mixes. In fact, I took my 2.0 clip and used those plugins to make a 5.1 mix. It did add a nice atmosphere that wasn't there before.
- Justin

[stevethomson]

Hi Justin,

I'm glad you're enjoying the plugin. The convolution method I mentioned above is actually something I've tried using V.I and mono material. I fed the convoluted audio through the plugin just for the surrounds (you could use the 2-channel sLsR version for that) and after playing around with levels, I got a very nice sense of ambience. As I wrote above, a little goes a long way.

[SingSing]

Is there a version of stand alone version of V.I stereo to 5.1 ? Most of us don't have those host program suite.

[takearushfan]

It doesn't look like there's a stand-alone version... at least not from what the website shows. You can always ask if he plans to develope a stand-alone version *shrug*

[stevethomson]

At present, no there is no standalone version. I've been working on one but it won't be ready for some time yet (I'm not a programmer. I did V.I with Synthedit).

There is a completely free method using V.I Suite plugins described in GUIDE: Converting stereo to 5.1 surround for FREE. This uses Foobar2000 with some free bridge plugins to use three 2-channel plugins that come with V.I. It's not quite as convenient as doing it all in one plugin, but it is free and it does work!

Once I have some time to get the standalone version worked out, I'll be sure to post it.

Regards,
Steve.

[SingSing]

Have to say this. The interface of the plug-in looks gorgeous.

[stevethomson]

Thanks! The funny story behind it is that I was in the process of purchasing a new dark metallic red Toyota Corolla at the time. Thus when I started messing around in Photoshop, the result was the red.