Available Surround Channel Configurations

Cubase supports several 2D and 3D surround channel configurations.

The following surround channel configurations are supported:

LRC

This format uses the channels left, right, and center.

Quadro

This is the original quadraphonic format for music, with one speaker in each corner. This format was developed for vinyl record players.

5.1

This format, also referred to as Dolby Digital, AC-3, DTS, and MPEG-2 Multichannel, uses the front channels left, center, and right, the surround channels left and right, and an additional LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel.

The center channel is mainly used for speech, the front and surround channels left and right for music and sound effects, and the LFE channel for boosting low-frequency content.

7.1

This format, also referred to as 7.1 Music (Dolby), uses the front channels left, center, and right, the side channels left and right, the surround channels left and right, and an LFE channel.

7.0.2

This is the same format as 7.1.2, but without an LFE channel.

7.1.2

This format, also referred to as 9.1, is used for channel-based beds in 3D Dolby Atmos® mixes. In addition to the front channels left, center, and right, the side channels left and right, the surround channels left and right, and an LFE channel, the 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos speaker setup provides top channels left and right.

7.1.4

This format is used for 3D mixes. In addition to the front channels left, center, and right, the side channels left and right, the surround channels left and right, and an LFE channel, this speaker setup provides top front channels left and right and top back channels left and right.

5.0

This format uses the front channels left, center, and right, and the surround channels left and right.

7.0

This format, also referred to as 7.0 Music (Dolby), uses the front channels left, center, and right, the surround channels left and right, and the side channels left and right.

6.0 Cine

This format uses the front channels left, center, and right, and the surround channels left, center, and right.

6.0 Music

This format uses the front channels left and right, the surround channels left and right, and the side channels left and right.

5.0.4

This format is used for 3D mixes. In addition to the front channels left, center, and right, and the surround channels left and right, this speaker setup provides top front channels left and right and top back channels left and right.

5.1.4

This format is used for 3D mixes. In addition to the front channels left, center, and right, the surround channels left and right, and an LFE channel, this speaker setup provides top front channels left and right and top back channels left and right.

1st Order Ambisonics/2nd Order Ambisonics/3rd Order Ambisonics

These 3D formats allow for creating a spherical sound field. They use an encoded bundle of audio signals to position sound sources at any place in the sound sphere. The available Ambisonics formats differ with regard to the number of audio signals that are used. Higher-order Ambisonics provide more signals and allow for a higher precision of positioning.

LRCS

This format uses the channels left, right, center, and surround. The surround channel is center-rear positioned. This is the original surround format that first appeared as Dolby Stereo in movie theaters and later, as the home cinema format Dolby ProLogic.

LRCS+LFE

This is the same format as LRCS, but with an additional LFE channel.

Quadro+LFE

This is the same format as Quadro, but with an additional LFE channel.

LRS

This format uses the channels left, right, and surround. The surround channel is positioned at center-rear.

LRC+LFE

This is the same format as LRC, but with an additional LFE channel.

LRS+LFE

This is the same format as LR,S but with an additional LFE channel.

Important

In Cubase, the order of surround channels and side channels follows the specification of Microsoft Inc. To meet the Dolby requirements for side surround channels and surround rear channels, swap the device ports of the surround channels and the side channels.