Last week we learned how to make a Surround mixer. This week we will put it to use.

You are now at the point of no return. Mixing to Surround is so much fun you can't go back once you've experienced it. There. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Let's say, for sake of simplicity, that we have a 5-track project.


When we start out, all inputs are panned to the center. For our first mix, we will make a song in which each instrument takes one place on the soundstage, and doesn't move. For projects with no motion, we will leave the automation turned off.

To do this, go to the Mixer menu, and make sure there is no check mark next to "Enable Automation."


With automation disabled, we can move the Surround panner to any position, and it will stay in that position. So, let's hit the Play button, and start moving Surround panners. Just grab the red ball and move it, to move the sound to any location in the room.

When you are done, your panners may like this. When you save your project, all of the panner positions will be saved with it.


Gee, that was fun, but let's do it again, and this time let's go crazy. This time we will have sounds moving around the room.

To do this, we must turn on the automation.


In addition, we want the program to make it easy to record our automated movements, plus any changes we make. So we must also put it into "Update Mode."

When we select "All to Update Mode", the "A" button ("A" for Automation) changes to a split red/green color. Now all the channels are ready to record our panning automation. This time, when you hit the Play button, and then grab the red ball and move it around, Mx51 will record the motion of the red ball as it moves the sound around the room. The next time you play, if you grab the red ball again and move it in other directions, the new motion will be recorded, and overwrite the previous motion.


Now you can have all your channels moving in the soundfield any way you want, and you can easily change the motion of any of them.

Page 1

Go to Page 2