Setting up 2.1 monitoring

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tunekicker
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2013/06/11 01:45:57 (permalink)

Setting up 2.1 monitoring

Hello all,

I've just added a subwoofer to my monitoring setup and will be essentially mixing in 2.1 moving forward. Since I don't have a hardware crossover I'm looking to find ways to implement this in software.

I've tried this by creating two separate busses- one for Left/Right and one for LFE (the sub), and using the Pro Channel EQ so that my main left and right monitors are only reproducing sound above the frequency I've defined as a crossover, and the sub only reproduces sound below it.

This seems to work great but is more complicated to setup than I'd like, especially when I think about modifying existing projects to monitor this way. But I can clearly tell my main left/right monitors are no longer reproducing the low frequencies since the woofers aren't working as hard, and the clarity I gain in the mid-range is fantastic!

Is there another way to essentially set up a crossover in Sonar? I'm new to "surround" mixing, so I don't know a lot about Bass Management, etc. I tried this but it didn't seem to pull the lows out of my left/right speakers, so I wasn't getting the increased clarity that the other method gave me.

Peace,
 
Tunes
 
 
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    Guitarhacker
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    Re: Setting up 2.1 monitoring 2013/06/11 08:52:57 (permalink)
    I mix with a sub.
     
    There is no need to set up anything different in the DAW or the interface. It  seems you are over thinking the situation and making it too complicated.
     
    Send a full spectrum signal to the monitors and the sub. I would not attempt a crossover in the DAW.  Remember, the listeners will not have that setup for playback. Give them and you a full signal.
     
    Simply connect the sub to one side of the interface's outputs. Most subs are designed to work with a powered signal or a line level signal.
     
    In my case, I have enough outputs on the interface to give the sub it's own line level signal. (full range signal) The sub automatically passes only the low end, and that is adjustable.
     
    The biggest deal with working with a sub is to get it adjusted properly for the room. If it's not adjusted properly, and for example is really loud, you will tend to mix "bass light" or if it's not loud enough, the mixes will be "bass heavy" so the initial setup is critical.
     
    Keep it simple and you will find it works like it's supposed to work.

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    CJaysMusic
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    Re: Setting up 2.1 monitoring 2013/06/11 11:56:08 (permalink)
    Since your adding a sub to your recording and mixing environment, you will need to re-tune your room and make any adjustments necessary to keep the environment as flat as possible, or your mixes will not translate well.
     
    IIRC, My sub is set up so that both left and right outs form the sound card are going to it and then my sub has a left and right output that goes to the Near filed monitors. But, each sub is different! i suggest you learn what it has and go from there. 
     
    CJ

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