Binaural Surround - 5.1

Binaural Surround - 5.1

Host Support

Host TypeSupport
AAXYes
VST2Yes

Audio

ChannelsContent
Input65.1 Surround
Output2Binaural Stereo

Controls

Description

This plugin takes a surround mix prepared for a 5.1 system and converts it to 3D stereo to be listened to on headphones.

The 3D aspects of the stereo are synthesised using HRTF data. This models how sound from different directions is changed as it passes around the head.

Channels

The channel ordering used is:

ChannelAAXVST
1Front LeftFront Left
2Front CentreFront Right
3Front RightFront Centre
4Left SurroundLFE
5Right SurroundSide Left
6LFESide Right

The low frequency effect channel is not used.

The plugin is available in the Binaural Surround plugin library.

Controls

Control: Corners

The corner layout lets you tell the processor how the 5.1 mix was prepared, as this can help the accuracy of the spatial imaging. ITU is the most common option.

Corner LayoutDescription
ITUIn principle, the speakers of a 5.1 system should be set out using ITU angles. From front centre, this recommends front left and right speakers be at +30 or -30 degrees and side speakers be at +110 or -110 degrees. ITU layouts are common in studios and are a common way to mix 5.1.
SquareIn practice, many 5.1 speaker systems are set up with the corner speakers set out in what is roughly a square and some mixes are put together on this basis. If you know that's the case, switch the corner layout to Square.

Control: Mode

Two modes are supported, "Inferred" and "Virtual". Generally, "Inferred" is recommended.

ModeDescription
InferredThis mode is optimised for use with material that has been mixed using conventional panning techniques, such as equal-power panning or VBAP. The approach produces smooth transitions when sounds pass between speaker locations.
VirtualThis mode simply places each of the main (non-LFE) audio channels in their appropriate speaker direction. This can be worth trying when the mix has not been put together by conventional panning and the channels have a complex phase relationship.