I N T R O D U C T I O N

FAQ

M U L T I C H A N N E L S

CONTROLS

STEREO

CONDITIONS

HOSTS

TUTORIALS

"SURROUND"

OCTOPHONY

16 / 18 2D

17.1 & 22.2

OTHERS

MISCS

O S X

 

 

 

 

"S U R R O U N D" (5.0 to 7.1)

 

 

 

les instruments Masses : Positions

 

les instruments Masses : Others

 

les instruments Processings

 

les instruments Instruments

 

les instruments Utilities

 

 

 

 

 

 


The “surround” formats of the motion picture industry represent a particular case of multiphonic setup which has the merit to have become a standard for the domestic production (CD-DTS, Video and DVD-Audio and SACD…).
The 5.1 or 5.0 modules bring the functions of “surround” mixing and processing to the software which does not have such possibility in standard (Podium, Tracktion, EnergyXT…), or will improve those which are already integrated in certain multitrack software (Cubase SX, Nuendo).
For instruments, please look at the Octophony section.

Caution : a true 7.1 format for home does not exist yet (the surround amplifiers calculates the signal which must be sent on channels 7 and 8 starting from a 5 or 6 channels signal).
Mixes which are made in this format can nevertheless be read on computers,  encoded in WMA 7.1 (even possible in 24 bits lossless mode), or in standard WAV.
However, the next generation of HD discs (BluRayDisc and HD-DVD) supports true lossless 7.1 channels and a lot of recent surround amplifier already have 7 analog inputs.

Compatible hosts  :
Acoustica, Aodix, AudioMulch, Bidule, Cantabile, Console, CPS, Cubase SX, EnergyXT, MaizeStudio, Max/Msp, nTrack Studio, Nuendo, Podium, Protools HD, PureData, Reaper, Samplitude, SaviHost, Sequoia, SoundForge, Synthedit, Tracktion, VSTHost.
Attention : some hosts can support only plugins with two inputs.

 

 

 

 
 

M a s s e s   :   P o s i t i o n s

 

Note : The Inputs / Outputs connections always conform to the SMPTE/ITU standard (1=FL, 2=FR, 3=C, 4=LFE, 5=SL, 6=SR). You can use the MiniRoute66 if you need to change it.

Other similar plugins :
Jeversi Software Air Traffic Control ; Kelly Industries AutoSurround Panner ; Starplugs Cyclone & 2-2-Six ; IOPlong Krosipan (freeware) ; Waves 360 Surround Panner ; TonyB plugins (freeware) ; Cycling74 UpMix ; Digenis Ambisonic (freeware) ; Gerzonic ambisonic ; Steve Thompson VI Converter...

 

 

 S p a t R e a p   6 6

 

 

5.1 Surround Module :

 

 

- six inputs to six outputs according to the 5.1 SMPTE/ITU standard
- can be used with mono, stereo, quad and 5.1 files !
- free position of the five loudspeakers
- Area setting for the five speakers, plus a global gain setting
- ten amplitude curves
- view of the level control values for all outputs, to help for area settings
- the two or five inputs can be moved, rotated, aligned and scaled together, requiring a few automation curves to do complex movements
- independant levels settings for the six inputs
- LowPass filter for the LFE channel (all five inputs are mixed together)
- no manual yet : look at the Presets...
Applications : specialy made for Reaper users, thanks to Justin and Co for this marvelous software ;-)

 

 

 

Free | Version : 0.9a |  | |(980 kb)

 

 

 

 

 

 S p a t R e a p   6 6  M o d

 

 

Surround module with automatic movements ("super sourround pan") :

 

 

Similar to the SpatReap 66 with full modulation of the position parameters :
- six LFO
- choice among ten waveforms
- independant modulation amplitude for the X / Y position, the alignement, the radius and the angle
- all can be combined both in stereo en penta inputs modes

 

 

 

Free | Version : 0.9 |  | |(1,02 Mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 S p a t S u r r o u n d   7.1

 

 

7.1 Surround Module :

 

 

- free positionning of the seven channels / speakers
- stereo input with separate position control of the two voices
- linking of the right channel to the left, with X, Y shift and mirror
- separate area settings for each speaker plus a global setting
- ten intensity curves
- separate level and filter frequency cutoff setting for the LFE channel
- MIDI Learn fonction
Applications : replacement of the 7.1 module of Nuendo, provides 7.1 mixing to EnergyXT, Podium, Reaper and Tracktion... 

 

 

 

Share  | Version : 1.4 |  | |

 

 

 

 

 

 A n i m a S p a t   7

 

 

7.0 Surround Module with modulations of the spatial position :

 

 

Enhanced version of the AnimaSpat 5 :
- seven outputs, compatible to 7.0 surround standard
- mono input
- free arrangement of the virtual loudspeakers, can correspond to the real position of enclosures or be used for special animations
- proximity setting for each channel with indication of the corresponding intensity
- ten intensity curves
- the audio input can be used as a modulation source, or we can use a second auxiliary input with a different signal
Two animation sections that can be used and combined together :
Steps Section :
- 2D paths with sixteen points
- smoothing parameter to obtain continuous trajectories
- four playing modes : linear / step / time / cycle
- "linear" mode : manual moving along the path with the mouse or a MIDI controller, modulation according to the intensity of the input sound
- "step" mode : point to point moving triggered by the input sound, the hosts's tempo or manually (tap tempo), start and end points and direction settings
- "time" mode : duration from 1 to 30 seconds, acceleration curves, start point and length
- 2D pad to distort the path (scales and mirrors)
- global 2D shifting
Curves Section :
- two modulateurs with multiples waveforms control the X / Y movements
- 2D pads to control the speed and the amplitude of the movement separate for each axis
- phase and acceleration settings
- global modulator
- sub-modulator that controls the speed and the amplitude of the global modulator to make evolving curves
- the speed can be locked to the tempo (host, thresholds of the audio input, tap tempo)
- possibility to show a graphical trail in order to "view" the trajectories in realtime (uses more CPU...)
Global :
- can use the host tempo as a modulation source
- automatic detection of the audio input's tempo
- tap tempo function
- subdivision from whole note to six-fourth note, support of tuplets
- MIDI Learn function
- you can play with up to 64 patches without any interruption with the mouse or a MIDI keyboard
See also the AnimaSpat 2D.

 

 

Share | Version : 0.9f |  | |
Tryout version, full featured but with a nag screen :(1.55 Mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 M i n i S p a t

 

 

Minimalistic 5.1 Surround Module :

 

 

- stereo input with independant position setting for the two inputs
- global gain setting according to distance
- separate level setting for the center channel
- separate level setting for the LFE channel (not modified by the source position)
Applications : replacement of the 5.1 module in Cubase SX and Nuendo (true stereo), provides surround mixing to EnergyXT, Podium, Reaper and Tracktion...

 

 

 

Free | Version : 1.1 |  | |(686 kb)

 

 

 

 

 

M a s s e s   :   O t h e r s

 

 S u r r o u n d i z e r

 

 

Stereo to surround spatialization :

 

 

Common features :
- activation and free 2D position of up to eight speakers, compatible with all surround settings up to 7.1 and octophony (8.0)
- mono or stereo input
- graphic 2D representation space
- connexions according to the ITU/SMPTE standard
Three spatialization sections : Cinetic, Spectral and "LCRS"
- variable mix of the three section and the reverberation
- separate spatial area and amplitude curve
Cinetic section :
- analysis of the main frequency (pitch tracker) and the intensity (volume tracker) of the two input channels
- modulation of the X/Y position of the two inputs according to the analyzed signal : center position, amplitude of the movement and smoothness
- each channel tracker can control the X or Y position of the two inputs
- manual mode for use like any surround module and host automations
Spectral section :
- division of the two inputs signals in four frequency bands with three variable crossover filters
- each frequency band can be freely positioned (and automated !) inside the 2D space
- intensity settings for each band / channel
"LCRS" section :
- surround simulation of the same sort than Dolby ProLogic, the result can be very different according to the kind of audio inputs (5 channels only)...
Plus :
- stereo reverberation (based on Freeverb) with spatial position of the two channels
- individual delay and phase settings for the four surround channels ( 5 to 8)
- parametric filters for the center and the surround channels
- optional bass management for the fourth channel
- pre-assigned MIDI controller for easy use with a control surface
- 128 patchs
- inline help
Applications : automatic movements, complex spatial envelopments, spectral effects, creative upmixing...
Freeware version : full featured, no time limit, but it works only in 4.0 mode (no Center and LFE channels, no 7/8 outputs).
More Presets will come soon !

 

 

Share | Version : 1.1 |  | |
quadraphonic freeware version (1.45 Mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 S p a t M i x e r   1 6 7

 

 

Spatial Mixer :

 

 

- 16 inputs to 7 outputs
- free 2D spatial position of the 16 inputs and the speakers
- global areas attenuation settings
- the outputs 7 / 8 can be used in 5.1 as sends for external processing
- labels to help to remember what corresponds to each input in mixing setup

Applications : downmixing in 7.0 from higher number of channels setups, mixing of mono or stereo sources in 7.0 inside modular hosts or in Podium or Reaper

 

 

Free | Version : 1.1b |  | |(855 kb)

 

 

 

 

 

 M i n i L e v e l s   2 6

 

 

Simple and minimalistic surround levels control :

 

 

- two inputs to five outputs
- simple intensity controls of the ten levels, for automation in the host
- the two inputs are mixed together to the LFE channel without any change : you must use a separate bass management plugin after
- connexions conform to the ITU-SMPTE standard

 

 

Free | Version : 1.0 |  |  |(582 kb) 

 

 

 

 

 H 2 - Z o o

 

 

Surround convertor for the Zoom H2 :

 

 

- four inputs to six outputs
- automatic generation of a center channel from the Front Left/Right inputs
- low pass filter for basic LFE channel (from all inputs mix)
- direct mode : simply control the levels for each output
- surround mode : free position of the five channels according to the position of the five loudspeakers
- free position of the loudspeakers
- spatial area settings and amplitude shaping
- 2D tools to move, rotate, align all the five channels at once (automatable !)
Note : if you run OS X, you can use the Zoom2Five from Daniel Courville.

 

 

Free | Version : 0.8 |  |  |(913 kb) 

 

 

 

 

P r o c e s s i n g s

 

Other similar (and better...) plugins : AudioEase Altiverb ; Quikquak RaySpace ; Digidesign Revibe ; WizzoVerb W5 ; Flux Pack ; Starplugs Cyclone ; Yellow Tools Freedom surrounds ; Cycling74 Octirama ; Admiral Quality Scamp ; Acon Studio Necessities, Studio Clean, Studio Time ; Prosoniq Time Factory ; TonyB plugins ; Waves 360 Surround... 

 

 

 S p a t C h o r u s    5

 

 

Multichannel Chorus :

 

 

- one input / 5 outputs
- can produce chorus / phasing / flange effects
- independant 2D modulation for delay times and chorus intensity
- two XY modulators, with rate, symetry and width settings
- mute / activation for each channel

 

 

Free | Version : 0.9 |  | |(1.22 Mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 S p a t V e r b   5 5

 

 

Multichannel reverberation :

 

 

- one or five inputs / five outputs (ITU standard)
- independant settings for each channel
- 2D visual setting for sound position and diffusion
- global setting of Time and Balance
- based on Jezar's Freeverb (module DH-Verb from David Haupt)

 

 

Free | Version : 1.5 |  | |(1.22 Mb)

 

 

 

 

 

 S p a t D e l a y s  1 6 7

 

 

Multi-delays with modulations on seven outputs channels :

 

 

- sixteen independant delay lines
- graphic settings of time and feedback
- three acceleration curves
- individual mutes
- global time and feedback settings
- time modulation oscillator with 15 waveforms, with inertia value for smooth textures
- six graphic "snapshots" (4 for times and 2 for feedbacks)
- bidimensional control surface for easy recall of the snapshots and "morphing" of between them, with 10 interpolation curves and inertia setting
- individual spatial position of the 16 delays inside a 2D space
- free arrangement of 7 speakers, compatible with the 5.0 to 7.0 standards
- spatial area seetings for each delay for precise and effective imaging
- MIDI Learn fonction
- 128 patchs
Freeware version : full featured but limited to 8 delay lines instead of 16.

 

 

Share | Version : 1.0 |  | |
freeware version (1.20 Mb) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I n s t r u m e n t s

 

 M i n i S a m p l e r    5

 

 

Lecteur d'échantillons minimal :

 

 

- lecteur de fichiers wave monophoniques
- position libre des enceintes virtuelles pour un meilleur contrôle des mouvements
- modulation des points de bouclage
- filtre multimode résonant, 1 à 8 pôles
- trois enveloppes
- deux LFOs
- modulation polyphonique de la position spatiale
- polyphonie 16 voies

 

 

Free  | Version : 0.9 |  | |(990 kb)

 

 

 

 

 

 M u l t i S a m p l e r   5 5

 

 

 

 

 

- polyphonic player of 5.0 sounds, in the form of 5 mono files

 

 

Free  | Version : 0.9e |  |( 858 kb)

 

 

 

 


  
 

U t i l i t i e s

 

 M i n i R o u t e   6 6

 

 

Levels controls and channel mapping :

 

 

- six audio inputs / outputs
- six gain settings
- main volume
- 6 x 6 connexion matrix
- presets for the ITU-SMPTE / DTS / EBU configurations

Applications : levels adjustment of a 5.1 signal, channels mapping

 

 

Free | Version : 1.0 |  | |(593 kb) 

 

 

 

 

 

 S p a t T e s t    5 . 1

 

 

Test signal generator :

 

 

- six outputs
- waveform, frequency (in Herz) and level
- can play mono wav files

 

 

Free | Version : 1.0 |  | |(775 kb)

 

 

 

 

 

 S u r M e t e r    7 . 1

 

 

Eight channels vu-meter :

 

 

- eight inputs with 7.1 arrangement
- can be used as insert

Note : the decibel scale is not very accurate but nevertheless is convenient in most cases...
See also the PPMulator 2.3 (Raw Material) and VU 8 (Straplugs).

 

 

Free  | Version : 0.9 |  | | (808 kb)