[RESOLVED]:Problems mixing in surround/LFE

[doodles]

This is probably basic question, but just started using DP in surround, in my new studio, so just playing round at the moment, trying to get it working.

I've imported a Master 5.1 wav from a previous soundtrack just to check outputs. All the 6 channels light up in the mixer, but when I look at my MOTU 2408, the LFE isn't lit up on the 2408? I tried changing outputs on the I/O, just to see if channel 4 was working on the device, and it works fine. The LFE, for whatever reason, just isn't sending to the 2408.

I've tried playing back in Protools, and the LFE plays back fine. I've also tried it with various other tracks, and have exactly the same problem. The LFE channel is playing/lighting up in DP, but just doesn't transmit to the 2408.

Is there anything I need to do to make sure it sends?

Sorry for basic questions!

[BKK-OZ]

Go into the surround panner in the mix view in DP. Double-click on the panner (must be a surround panner) or open it up through the mini-menu.

Depending on the kind of panner you are using, you will get different views, but have a look @ the LFE level (usually a little slider next to the channel). For some shtewpid reason, DP defaults to having that level on the LFE all the way down on a surround track. This default setting has caught me out more than once.

Also make sure your surround master is going to a bundle that has outputs for all channels, including LFE.

[doodles]

Thanks BK

Opened up surround trim panner, and all showing fine, with level outputting same as others?

All outputs (1-6) in the audio outputs selected and working fine.

Am I being thick??!

[BKK-OZ]

Assume you have a surround output bundle, and that the output of that bundle corresponds with the channel you want to use on your output device? Also, have a look @ which output bundle is first in your list of outputs - used to be the case, not sure if it still is, that only the top one would output, but given that you are getting audio out on your other channels, this may not be your problem.

...and no, you aren't thick, it took me ages to get surround working effectively, lots of things to go wrong. Aramis, often here @ motunation is pretty savvy on this stuff, haven't seen a post lately from him though, maybe look him up and PM him, nice, helpful fellow surrounder.

I would also suggest just trying a surround audio track from scratch - Project > Add New > etc., see if you can get audio into all 6 channels, see if you can get that audio track to output, it might be the .wav import of the LFE didn't work for some reason. Just put any old audio into your channels.

[magicd]

Check the LFE level in the Master Fader panner.

Dave

[doodles]

Check the LFE level in the Master Fader panner.

Dave

LFE pumping through nicely on the Master fader. As I say, it'[s just not transmitting to 2408 for some reason. I've tried this with 20 different Master mixes (which were created in PTools). All have the same prob. LFE not transmitting to 2408 (channel 4). If I change the routing of LFE to, say, channel 2, it's the same prob. I can see the LFE pumping nicely in the 5.1 stem, but it doesn't to transmit to any assigned channel.

I would also suggest just trying a surround audio track from scratch - Project > Add New > etc., see if you can get audio into all 6 channels, see if you can get that audio track to output, it might be the .wav import of the LFE didn't work for some reason. Just put any old audio into your channels.

Just tried this, great idea. Made 6 mono channels, and route all to the 6 different channels. All works fine. So the 6 channels/outs are clearly working. It's clearly something to do with the actual 5.1 audio file(s) itself. But it's showing fine on all the faders in the Maser Fader Panner.

Oh man, this is going to be something embarassingly simple. Just read the manual but again, no luck. Hmmmmmm.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Time to contact MOTU?

[doodles]

by MIDI Life Crisis » 13 Jan 2014 03:15 pm

Time to contact MOTU?

already have! waiting reply. was just in the mean time trying to troubleshoot. Thanks for the help guys!

[magicd]

by MIDI Life Crisis » 13 Jan 2014 03:15 pm

Time to contact MOTU?

already have! waiting reply. was just in the mean time trying to troubleshoot. Thanks for the help guys!

If you remove the master fader from the sequence, does LFE play out properly?

Dave

[doodles]

If you remove the master fader from the sequence, does LFE play out properly?

Dave

Hi Dave

Sorry, just to clarify: I don't have a Master fader. Tracks outputting directly to surround outs. (1-6). I just tried adding a master fader, it didn't make any difference. Same problem. Can see audio pumping through LFE, just not transmitting to 2408. So strange. If I insert a 5.1 Trim plug-in, I can adjust the volume of the LFE as much or as little as I want, it still doesn't send to 2408.

[magicd]

You are working with a 5.1 audio file?

What happens if you drop in a mono audio file and route that to the surround output? Does that get signal to the LFE?

Dave

[doodles]

Hi magicD

Yep, as I said earlier, it's weird. 5.1 audio file imported into DP. (it's a Master 5.1 file which was created in ProTools for a soundtrack. I've tried with about 20 of these from various soundtracks). Analog outputs 1-6 being used for surround. (L R C LFE LS RS)

Routing mono files to outs 1-6 individually works fine, so all the outputs work fine.

It's just something to do with playing these 5.1 mixes. DP just doesn't seem to like the LFE channel of them at all. (re-routing the LFE to, say, analog 3, leaves analog 3 silent. Wherever I route LFE to, it just doesn't send to 2408).

The same 5.1 audio file plays back fine in ProTolls and LFE exports fine.

Weird.

[magicd]

Hi magicD

Yep, as I said earlier, it's weird. 5.1 audio file imported into DP. (it's a Master 5.1 file which was created in ProTools for a soundtrack. I've tried with about 20 of these from various soundtracks). Analog outputs 1-6 being used for surround. (L R C LFE LS RS)

Routing mono files to outs 1-6 individually works fine, so all the outputs work fine.

It's just something to do with playing these 5.1 mixes. DP just doesn't seem to like the LFE channel of them at all. (re-routing the LFE to, say, analog 3, leaves analog 3 silent. Wherever I route LFE to, it just doesn't send to 2408).

The same 5.1 audio file plays back fine in ProTolls and LFE exports fine.

Weird.

Command-double click on the 5.1 soundbite in DP. That will open it in the Waveform editor. Do you see all six channels of audio assigned to the correct channels?

At this point, perhaps it might be easier if I see the actual files. Please contact me at magicd@motu.com

Dave

[doodles]

Command-double click on the 5.1 soundbite in DP. That will open it in the Waveform editor. Do you see all six channels of audio assigned to the correct channels?

At this point, perhaps it might be easier if I see the actual files. Please contact me at magicd@motu.com

Dave

Yep, they're all there.

I'll e you. Thanks everyone again - sorry for hogging the board...

[BKK-OZ]

Sorry if you have tackled this, but hava look @ this image, make sure that your panner also shows the level up & the LFE channel on (not soloed or muted).