Apple Logic Pro X - Manual (Page 752)

Chapter 22 Surround in Logic Pro X 752
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DTS HD Master Audio: An uncompressed (or minimally compressed) high bit-rate format,
commonly used for Blu-ray discs and high definition digital terrestrial or satellite
TV broadcasts.
Speaker placement, timing, and levels
Speaker placement
The physical positioning of speakers is key to creating mixes that translate well to other surround
playback systems. Because the 5.1 format is the most widely used, this section covers 5.1 speaker
placement. Much of this information can be applied to the other formats.
Front speakers
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 5.1 surround definition states that front
speakers should be arranged left, center, and right, with the angle between the left or right
and center speakers being 30 degrees. A narrower angle of 22.5 degrees is suggested for use in
cinematic systems where the left and right speakers should be within four degrees of the edge
of the screen.
In the studio, you should use the wider 30-degree angle, even if scoring for film. Use of this angle
allows stereo signals to be auditioned correctly using the left and right speakers, without moving
them each time you switch between stereo and surround mixes.
The three front speakers—left, center, and right—should be placed in an arc (not a straight line)
at an equal distance from your listening position. The center speaker should be set back slightly
from an imaginary line drawn between the left and right speakers. If this isn’t practical, don’t
place the center speaker closer to the listening position than the left and right speakers. All three
speakers should be at the same height—at ear level.
If possible, your listening environment should also include a position where the left and
right speakers are at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees from the ideal central “viewing” position.
An angle close to 45 degrees is preferred if watching movies, as it approximates the way film
soundtracks are mixed and monitored. A wider angle, with the left and right speakers farther
apart, is recommended if your system is principally used for listening to music, rather than
watching movies.
It’s not essential to have a full surround setup in the studio. If you have a home theater system,
make your surround mix in the studio, then listen to or watch it in your theater room.