Practical Recording Techniques, 5th Edition

CHAPTER 19 Surround Sound: Techniques and Media

 

 

So far we've covered techniques that result in a 2-channel stereo recording. With stereo, you hear all the instruments and reverb in front of you, in the area between the two loudspeakers. But with surround sound, you hear audio images in every direction. For example, the musical ensemble could be up front, while the hall ambience envelops you from the sides and rear, as it does in real life.

Stereo uses two channels feeding two loudspeakers in front of you. Surround sound uses multiple channels feeding multiple speakers placed around you. A disadvantage of stereo is that you must sit in a tiny “sweet spot” to hear correct localization. In contrast, surround sound can be heard correctly in a ...