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Dolby Laboratories SEU4 Manual

Surround mixing
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Dolby Surround
Dolby Surround
Mixing Manual
Mixing Manual
Part No.
Part
No. 91536
91536
Issue 2 2
Issue

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Summary of Contents for Dolby Laboratories SEU4

  • Page 1 Dolby Surround Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Mixing Manual Part Part No. No. 91536 91536 Issue Issue 2 2...
  • Page 2 Inc. All All rights rights reserved. reserved. Issue Issue 2 2 Confidential information for Dolby Laboratories Licensees only. Unauthorized use, sale, or duplication is prohibited. Confidential information for Dolby Laboratories Licensees only. Unauthorized use, sale, or duplication is prohibited. ii ii...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Equipment from from Dolby Dolby Laboratori Laboratories es ........................2-1 2.1.1 2.1.1 Dolby Mode Dolby Model SEU4 Surr l SEU4 Surround Encod ound Encoding Unit........ing Unit........2-1 2.1.2 2.1.2 Dolby M Dolby Model SD odel SDU4 Surr U4 Surround De...
  • Page 4 Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual 3.5.1 3.5.1 Internal Internal Switches— Switches—CAT CAT 344 344 information information ................3-8 3.5.2 3.5.2 Center Center Speaker Speaker Switch Switch............................3-9 3.5.3 3.5.3 Wake-up Wake-up State State ............................
  • Page 5 ......7-3 Applicatio Application n Information Information ................................7-4 SEU4 Gam SEU4 Game Mode Al e Mode Alignment..........ignment..................... 7-5 Testing Gam Testing Game Mode Encod e Mode Encoding with an Aud ing with an Audio Consol io Console e .......
  • Page 6 Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual List of Figures List of Figures Figure Figure Description Description Page Page Dolby Dolby Model Model SEU4 SEU4 and and SDU4 SDU4............................2-1 Typical Typical Room Room Layout Layout ..................................2-2...
  • Page 7 Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Standard Standard X-Curve X-Curve ....................................4-4 Modified Modified X-Curves..X-Curves..................................4-4 Phase Phase Shifter Shifter and and Positioner Positioner .............................. 7-2 Signal Signal Flow Flow for for Game Game Encoding Encoding ............
  • Page 8 Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual List of Tables List of Tables Table Table Description Description Page Page EPL Connecti Connections ons ....................................3-12 3-12 Delay Delay Switch Switch Settings Settings ................................3-14 3-14 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Game...
  • Page 9 Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Introduction Introduction ® ® Dolby Dolby Surround is a format that enables the Surround is a format that enables the production and delivery of multi-dimensional production and delivery of multi-dimensional soundtracks for television, cable, consumer video, compact disc, video game and other stereo soundtracks for television, cable, consumer video, compact disc, video game and other stereo media.
  • Page 10 Encoding Unit Unit The SEU4 receives four input signals (Left, Center, Right, and The SEU4 receives four input signals (Left, Center, Right, and Surround) from the audio console Surround) from the audio console and matrix encodes them into two and matrix encodes them into two output signals (Lt and Rt). The Lt output signals (Lt and Rt).

  • Page 11: Room Room Layouts

    Technical Guidelines Guidelines Both the SEU4 and SDU4 Both the SEU4 and SDU4 are available for purchase from Dolby professional product dealers are available for purchase from Dolby professional product dealers and for rent from several studio equipment rental houses.

  • Page 12: Control Control Rooms

    Control Control Rooms Rooms In order to achieve even Surround channel dispersion, Dolby Laboratories recommends that a In order to achieve even Surround channel dispersion, Dolby Laboratories recommends that a room layout such as the one shown in room layout such as the one shown in  Figure 2-3  Figure 2-3 use two Surround speakers.

  • Page 13: Rooms

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines 2.2.3 2.2.3 Remote Remote Trucks Trucks Remote trucks producing live shows offer a challenge for Center channel Remote trucks producing live shows offer a challenge for Center channel speaker placement. The speaker placement.

  • Page 14: Speakers Speakers And And Amplifiers

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines consumer level to correct channel imbalances introduced during transmission or tape duplication. consumer level to correct channel imbalances introduced during transmission or tape duplication. Also, consumer decoders do not normally have enough time delay Also, consumer decoders do not normally have enough time delay for studios or a simple way to for studios or a simple way to...
  • Page 15 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines MONITOR MONITOR R  R    L   L Figure 2-7 Incorrect Soffit Figure 2-7 Incorrect Soffit and Center Speaker Placement and Center Speaker Placement The Surround speakers can be smaller bookshelf-type speakers.
  • Page 16 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines 2.3.2 2.3.2 Center Center Channel Channel Speaker  Speaker  The Center channel speaker is used to anchor dialogue and The Center channel speaker is used to anchor dialogue and other sounds to the screen. In other sounds to the screen.
  • Page 17 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines This produces an eye/ear conflict, since the visual and This produces an eye/ear conflict, since the visual and audio images don’t match. The addition of  audio images don’t match.
  • Page 18 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines Figure 2-12 Ideal Setup—All Speakers Above Screen Figure 2-12 Ideal Setup—All Speakers Above Screen Figure 2-13 Ideal Figure 2-13 Ideal Setup—All Speakers Below Screen Setup—All Speakers Below Screen The goal is to place The goal is to place the high frequency drivers (tweeters) in a straight line.

  • Page 19: Surround Surround Speaker Speaker Location

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines only option for the Center channel. The only option for the Center channel. The Dolby SDU4 allows for the s Dolby SDU4 allows for the smaller Center speaker, with maller Center speaker, with its reduced low frequency capabilities, by redirecting the Center channel its reduced low frequency capabilities, by redirecting the Center channel low frequency...

  • Page 20: Audio Audio Console Consoles

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines Figure 2-16 Vertical Location of Surround Figure 2-16 Vertical Location of Surround Speakers in Control Room Speakers in Control Room 2.3.6 2.3.6 Audio Audio Consoles Consoles...
  • Page 21 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines shown in shown in Figure 2-18 Figure 2-18 . A few manufacturers have installed patch points . A few manufacturers have installed patch points in the proper place for  in the proper place for ...
  • Page 22 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines FROM FROM SDU4 SDU4 OUTPUT OUTPUT TO MAIN TO MAIN FROM FROM MONITOR MONITOR BUSS BUSS AMPS AMPS OUTPUT OUTPUT TO “B” TO “B”...

  • Page 23: Spl Spl Meters Meters

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines When producing home video releases, experience has proven that lowering the overall When producing home video releases, experience has proven that lowering the overall mixing mixing room level to as low as 79 dB results in a mix with better dialogue levels.
  • Page 24 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 2 2 - - Technical Technical Guidelines Guidelines Figure 2-21 Tektronix 760 Phase Scope Display of Figure 2-21 Tektronix 760 Phase Scope Display of Center Channel Information Center Channel Information The Left, Center and Right channels will The Left, Center and Right channels will appear across the top and the Surround channel will appear across the top and the Surround channel will...
  • Page 25 Outputs Outputs The audio inputs and outputs of both the The audio inputs and outputs of both the SEU4 and SDU4 use electronic f SEU4 and SDU4 use electronic floating balanced loating balanced circuits and do not use ground as reference. They circuits and do not use ground as reference.
  • Page 26 SEU4/SDU4, like a lot of  inductance path than that via the shell, but the earlier versions of the SEU4/SDU4, like a lot of ...
  • Page 27 Installation Note: Note: Some equipment (not from Dolby Laboratories!) has balanced Some equipment (not from Dolby Laboratories!) has balanced non-floating  non-floating outputs on outputs on XLR connectors. Although they are described as XLR connectors. Although they are described as balanced, they consist of two...

  • Page 28: Of Console

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation 3.2.2 3.2.2 Basic Basic Recording Recording Setup Setup with with Film Film Panning Panning Console Console The most versatile console setup uses a console with film-style (LCRS) panning. These consoles can pan The most versatile console setup uses a console with film-style (LCRS) panning.

  • Page 29: Setup

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Output 1 Output 1 Output 2 Output 2 Monitor  Monitor  S S E E U U 4 4 R R E E C C O O R R D D E E R R S S D D U U 4 4 Section Section...
  • Page 30 See method. See Figure 3-8 Figure 3-8 . . Output 1 Output 1 Output 2 Output 2 SDU4 SDU4 BROADCAST BROADCAST SEU4 SEU4 CHAIN CHAIN Main Main Output Output CONSOLE CONSOLE Figure 3-8 Signal Routing—Live Broadcast with Fail Safe Figure 3-8 Signal Routing—Live Broadcast with Fail Safe...

  • Page 31: Dolby Dolby Model Model Seu4 Seu4 Setup Setup

    SEU4 Setup Setup  Normal operation of the SEU4 requires no  Normal operation of the SEU4 requires no modifications to the unit as it co modifications to the unit as it comes from the factory. mes from the factory. There are two modes which should be There are two modes which should be checked if problems are encountered.

  • Page 32: Loop Switch

    Loop Switch Switch The SEU4 can be used The SEU4 can be used with an external processor inserted in a loop before with an external processor inserted in a loop before the final output stages the final output stages of the unit, of the unit,  Figure 3-11...

  • Page 33: Center Center Speaker Speaker Switch Switch

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Figure 3-12 CAT 344 Card Switches and Jumpers Figure 3-12 CAT 344 Card Switches and Jumpers 3.5.2 3.5.2 Center Center Speaker Speaker Switch Switch When using the SDU4 with a Center speaker, the switch should be in the When using the SDU4 with a Center speaker, the switch should be in the yes...

  • Page 34: Wake-Up Wake-Up State State

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Troubleshooting Tip: Troubleshooting Tip: If a Center speaker is not in use and left and right information can be heard, but center  If a Center speaker is not in use and left and right information can be heard, but center ...

  • Page 35: Epl Epl Switch Switch

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Figure 3-16 Remote Fader Figure 3-16 Remote Fader Switch Detail Switch Detail Troubleshooting Tip: Troubleshooting Tip: If the volume control on the unit does not seem control the monitor level, check the remote If the volume control on the unit does not seem control the monitor level, check the remote fader switch.

  • Page 36: Cat 150E Cat 150E Card Card Settings Settings

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Table 3-1 EPL Connections Table 3-1 EPL Connections Signal Signal Ground Ground Loop Send Surround Loop Send Surround Loop Send Right Loop Send Right Loop Send Center ...

  • Page 37: Time Time Delay Delay Calculation Calculations S

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Figure 3-18 Detail of Jumper Modification for Figure 3-18 Detail of Jumper Modification for Bass Splitting Bass Splitting 3.6.2 3.6.2 Time Time Delay Delay Calculations Calculations In addition to the switches mentioned above, a rotary...
  • Page 38 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 3 3 - - System System Installation Installation Table 3-2 Delay Switch Settings Table 3-2 Delay Switch Settings Setting Setting Delay Delay 20 ms 30 ms 40 ms 50 ms 60 ms 70 ms 80 ms...

  • Page 39: Encoder Encoder Alignme Alignment

    3. 3. Adjust the Left channel trim control Adjust the Left channel trim control until both green LEDs on the S until both green LEDs on the SEU4 are illuminated. EU4 are illuminated. The resolution from left green LED The resolution from left green LED to right green LED is approximately 1/4 dB.

  • Page 40: Decoder Decoder Alignment Alignment

    Lt/Rt, but before the after the encoding to Lt/Rt, but before the final output of the SEU4 final output of the SEU4 encoder. These trims are encoder. These trims are usually set for unity gain at the usually set for unity gain at the factory.
  • Page 41 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 4 4 - - System System Setup Setup 2. 2. Adjust the left and right i Adjust the left and right inputs, as shown in nputs, as shown in Figure 4-2 Figure 4-2 , to light both green LEDs.

  • Page 42: Ansi/Smpte Ansi/Smpte 202M 202M X-Curve

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 4 4 - - System System Setup Setup 4.3.1 4.3.1 ANSI/SMPTE ANSI/SMPTE 202M 202M X-Curve X-Curve When in large mixing rooms, defined as greater than 5300 When in large mixing rooms, defined as greater than 5300 cubic feet or 150 cubic cubic feet or 150 cubic meters, use the meters, use the X-curve as defined by the ANSI/SMPTE...

  • Page 43: Near-Field Near-Field Monitors Monitors

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 4 4 - - System System Setup Setup 4.3.3 4.3.3 Recording Recording Studios—Music Studios—Music Mixing Mixing There are perhaps more arguments over what equalization should be used in There are perhaps more arguments over what equalization should be used in a recording studio a recording studio than any other place.

  • Page 44: Techniques

    Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Mixing Techniques Mixing Techniques Announcers Announcers and and Dialogue Dialogue Traditionally, dialogue is placed only in the Traditionally, dialogue is placed only in the Center speaker to tie the on-screen sounds to the Center speaker to tie the on-screen sounds to the  picture.
  • Page 45 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 5 5 - - Mixing Mixing Techniques Techniques is now directed to a single point source, the Center speaker, we perceive it as all center. To is now directed to a single point source, the Center speaker, we perceive it as all center. To correct this in the mix, make correct this in the mix, make the image slightly wider than normal the image slightly wider than normal for a two-channel stereo mix.

  • Page 46: Sounds

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 5 5 - - Mixing Mixing Techniques Techniques in the Surround channel. This results in out of in the Surround channel. This results in out of phase or inverted information in the stereo pair, phase or inverted information in the stereo pair, which XY stereo microphone techniques typically produce.
  • Page 47 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 5 5 - - Mixing Mixing Techniques Techniques inconsistencies between the two stereo channels. The viewer usually recognizes the problem as inconsistencies between the two stereo channels. The viewer usually recognizes the problem as Surround channel ambience pumping in response to the dialogue.

  • Page 48: Common Common Pitfalls Pitfalls

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 5 5 - - Mixing Mixing Techniques Techniques designed to be used with their own decoders are designed to be used with their own decoders are another issue. The real question is how another issue.
  • Page 49 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 5 5 - - Mixing Mixing Techniques Techniques heard in the Surround channel instead of paying attention to heard in the Surround channel instead of paying attention to the action on the screen, you the action on the screen, you have a have a  problem.

  • Page 50: Applications

    Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Live Broadcast Applications Live Broadcast Applications Transmission Transmission Path Path Consideration Considerations s Because fiber optic and satellite transmission lines are standard services at sports arenas Because fiber optic and satellite transmission lines are standard services at sports arenas and stadiums, this part of the signal chain is stadiums, this part of the signal chain is usually repeatable and predictable.
  • Page 51 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 6 6 - - Live Live Broadcast Broadcast Application Applications s Headroom Headroom The amount of available headroom depends on the final The amount of available headroom depends on the final distribution medium. In broadcast distribution medium.

  • Page 52: Normal Normal Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Encoding Encoding

    Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Dolby Surround Mixing Manual Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Video Games and Multimedia Video Games and Multimedia Introduction Introduction ® ® Dolby Dolby Surround has become a popular tool for video game Surround has become a popular tool for video game and multimedia developers. There and multimedia developers.
  • Page 53 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 7 7 - - Video Video Games Games and and Multimedia Multimedia By adding an inverter, multiplication by –1, to By adding an inverter, multiplication by –1, to the game audio tool kit, i the game audio tool kit, it is possible for a sound t is possible for a sound to be placed at any of the four cardinal points.
  • Page 54 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 7 7 - - Video Video Games Games and and Multimedia Multimedia Dolby Surround Game Mode is designed to assist computer game developers with Dolby Surround Game Mode is designed to assist computer game developers with creating sound creating sound effects and elements that can be used effects and elements that can be used within the game and spatially placed...
  • Page 55 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 7 7 - - Video Video Games Games and and Multimedia Multimedia Once the F and S Once the F and S signals are prepared, they are recorded in two signals are prepared, they are recorded in two channels of the game soundtrack.
  • Page 56 Video Games Games and and Multimedia Multimedia SEU4 SEU4 Game Game Mode Mode Alignment Alignment If the encoder has been aligned for normal operation, no If the encoder has been aligned for normal operation, no changes to alignment will be...

  • Page 57: Game Game Playback

    Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 7 7 - - Video Video Games Games and and Multimedia Multimedia P P A A N N P P A A N N P P A A N N INPUT INPUT MODULES...
  • Page 58 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 7 7 - - Video Video Games Games and and Multimedia Multimedia  Figure 7-7   Figure 7-7  shows how the various sound elements may join together in shows how the various sound elements may join together in the final game. The final the final game.

  • Page 59: Of Operation

    Dolby Model SEU4 give phase shifts of roughly –550 degrees, while the Model SEU4 give phase shifts of roughly –550 degrees, while the surround path, measured at the surround path, measured at the right total output, has about 90 degrees more lag right total output, has about 90 degrees more lag (approximately –640 degrees total).
  • Page 60 Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Mixing Mixing Manual Manual Chapter Chapter 8 8 - - Theory Theory of of Operation Operation methods. For this reason, signals panned to the center of methods. For this reason, signals panned to the center of the left/right bus will appear in the left/right bus will appear in the Center channel output after decoding, not the Left Center channel output after decoding, not the Left and Right channels.

  • Page 61: Contacting Contacting Dolby Dolby Laboratories Laboratories

    (44) 1793-842101 Los Angeles Los Angeles Shanghai Liaison Office Shanghai Liaison Office Dolby Laboratories Dolby Laboratories Dolby Laboratories International Dolby Laboratories International 3375 Barham Boulevard 3375 Barham Boulevard Services Co., Ltd. Services Co., Ltd. Los Angeles, CA 90068-1446 Los Angeles, CA 90068-1446...
  • Page 62 If you are already a Dolby licensee and would like more information on trademark use, please contact Dolby Laboratories. We are always happy to review artwork and assist with the proper use of  contact Dolby Laboratories. We are always happy to review artwork and assist with the proper use of ...

  • Page 63: Dolby Dolby Surround Surround Software Software Lists Lists

    To inform consumers of programs, CDs, games and videos available with Dolby Surround encoding, Dolby Laboratories maintains listings on the Dolby Web Page ( encoding, Dolby Laboratories maintains listings on the Dolby Web Page ( www.dolby.com www.dolby.com ) and ) and in print.

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