This essay is presented as an introduction to surround sound for the studio professional working in smaller (20 m2 - 60 m2) control rooms.Although originally developed for film, multi-channel surround formats offer unique creative opportunities for music mixing and many other applications.
Creative minds and critical audiences are beginning to understand that surround is not just about explosive action effects. It is also about creating a credible illusion of the sonic landscape of an open field, or of the din of an industrial workplace or of the ambience of a concert hall.
In short, it is about creating sound with a level of realism, immersement and involvement that is impossible with only two audio channels.
A rapidly expanding consumer base has already been exposed to the pleasures of surround sound for movies, music, computer games, television programming, etc. In light of the substantial investments in 5.1 audio equipment for the home, it is reasonable to expect a growing disenchantment with two-channel audio and strong demand for multi-channel software of all kinds.
In the early years of the new millennium, the two-channel paradigm will fade away as stereo gives way to multi-channel surround sound for transmission and storage of music, movies, computer games and television, providing unprecedented creative opportunities for producers, directors, recording engineers and performers.
The future is discrete, digital, multi-channel surround sound. And that future is now.
If you want to read more, you can download the entire essay as a pdf.
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