Four steps to 5.1 surround

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Making Tracks: Quad Squad

By David Battino

Click on the linked text below to see examples prepared to complement “Making Tracks”:

Vortex Zoom Encoder Web Clips

By David Battino

Below are three audio clips selected from the “Web Clips”. The first two I selected to demonstrate that Zoom H2  four channel recordings sound better when encoded by VZE into ImmersiveStereo™.

• Stereo Mix

The first clip “Stereo Mix” was rendered by combining the two H2 files using a standard quad to stereo mix-down that can be done using any Digital Audio Workstation or DAW.

• VZE’s ImmersiveStereo™ Mix

The second uses only VZE to render ImmersiveStereo™ from the pair of H2 stereo files. In my own humble yet biased opinion the ImmersiveStereo™ Mix has a distinctive and desirable spatial quality. I notice it in the lack of impact on the ear drum, and the sensation that you’re immersed in the scene rather than listening to a recording.

In the next clip I recorded the Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! Band live at U-31 in San Diego with a Zoom H4n. I fed front of house board mix into the H4n’s line inputs and used the H4n’s built-in stereo mics to record ambiance.

What differences do you hear?