Neural® Surround DownMix™ - Down-Mixing 5.1 Surround Sound to Stereo

The Neural Surround DownMix reduces 5.1 surround sound to a stereo mix that accurately represents the 5.1 original. Unlike standard summing methods, the Neural Surround DownMix creates stereo that contains the "watermarked" surround steering information. This stereo audio can be stored, mixed, transported and monitored just like any other (LtRt) stereo mix. However, when it's played through a Neural Surround UpMix, the stereo signal is restored to its original 5.1 surround channel configuration. The watermarked signal is also backward compatible with Dolby® ProLogic II and other matrix decoders.

Neural Surround DownMix uses an analysis and correction process before the six individual surround channels are combined. By analyzing intensity, time, coherence, polarity and phase characteristics, the signals are transformed into pure intensity and coherence before they are encoded into the stereo mix. This process eliminates problems that traditionally occur in matrix surround encoded systems, such as comb filtering, spatial distortion and signal loss. The Neural Surround DownMix creates a natural sounding stereo mix that is spatially true to the original 5.1 mix.

Key Benefits of the Neural Surround DownMix

The key features of the Neural Surround DownMix include:

• Perfect mapping of 5.1 surround elements into the stereo field
• Active correction to fix issues such as comb filtering, spatial location and distortion
• The convenience of a matrix surround encode/decode system with the performance of modern day perceptual audio codecs
• Backward compatibility with matrix decoders (Dolby® ProLogic II, SRS Circle Surround, etc)

DownMix and UpMix

DownMix can be used as a stand-alone unit or in tandem with the Neural Surround UpMix as a complete 5.1 transport solution. 5.1 surround content encoded by the DownMix will be reproduced just as it was heard in the original 5.1 mix. Neural Surround DownMix/UpMix makes the surround sound transition simple and affordable within existing stereo production or broadcast environments.

DownMix + NLC

Neural Surround DownMix can also be used with Neural Loudness Control as a complete 2.0/5.1 rendering and loudness control solution. Refer to the DownMix+NLC page for more information.

Neural Surround MultiMerge™

With the Neural Surround MultiMerge, DownMix can also be used in tandem with Neural Surround UpMix as a complete 2.0/5.1 rendering solution. Refer to the MultiMerge page for more information.

Applications

Quality Control for broadcasts to Neural Surround Consumer Devices, DTV Broadcast Facilities, Mobile Production Trucks, Production Studios, and HD Radio Broadcasts

Specifications

Ordering Information