immersive mixing
5.1.4 mixing of my projects ... So, the process of explaining begins. First off, I'm a Nuendo user. That's my baby! The second device that makes this all possible is my Steinberg UR816C interface. It makes it possible to drive all of my 10 (9.1) speakers from one volume control, using an interface that costs $600 instead of $6000.
The next part is to use a pink noise generator or track segment to calibrate your levels throughout the 5.1.4 speakers setup and then adjust your levels (roughly at the speakers themselves first, if you want). I do this using the Nuendo MixerDelay plugin. The last step is to measure the distance from the mi head position to each speaker (in cm). The most distant speaker becomes your 0 reference and enter in the corresponding delay for each speaker. This last step is way more important than you might think, as it really brings the 5.1.4 mix into sharp focus.
Since Nuendo doesn't band-limit the LFE channel, the StudioEQ can be inserted and then routed "ONLY" to the LFE channel.
The biggest factor that is changing the way that I work can be traced to a few factors:
New speakers! I've replaced my expensive, mismatched speakers with the JBL Series3 305p Mk2 speakers. These pups can be bought for around $100 each on sale and sound FANTASTIC!
level balancing using my spl meter and MixerDelay in Nuendo
delay balancing (time allignment) using MixerDelay in Nuendo.
With all of these in place, I can finally hear what's in my mixes with relative certainty ... I haven't had this in over 10 years! I'm a happy guy!
The next part of the equation, for when you want to check your mix over headphones. is the use of the Dear VR Monitor binaural immersive system that allows me to listen to 1 9.1 mix over headphones. This is done by setting up Nuendo in the usual fashion, while placing Dear VR Monitor into the 5.1.4. studio monitoring plugin chain. Put on your headphones and off you go! I have modified my monitor settings from the standard ones ... here's a screen shot.
mix over headphones in 5.1.4
check your mixes with an actual 5.1.4 speaker setup
It's interesting that, for the most part, the headphone mixes got me 80 - 90% there with the mix. Was able to finesse the 3 albums that I mixed on phones in only 3 days of light mixing work.
Quality control check with 5.1.4 headphones
First impressions: This is easy to write down on paper, but the truth is, going back to headphones after working with an actual 5.1.4. speaker setup is a letdown. Speakers just sound so much more natural in immersive. After a half hour or so, I am beginning to settle back into the headphone setup - it's just quite the transition.