Pro Tools Audio Connections for 5.1 Mixing

While all 5.1 mixing formats provide the same speaker arrangement, there are three primary standards in use for the track layout of the individual channels that comprise the 5.1-format multichannel mix.

In the following table, it is assumed that surround channels are assigned to outputs 1–6 of a Pro Tools audio interface. Use channels 7–8 to monitor a stereo mix for a stereo version, or for cue mixes and monitoring.

 

Track Layouts for 5.1 Formats

Formats		Track Layout
		1	2	3	4	5	6
Film (Pro Tools default)		L	C	R	Ls	Rs	LFE
SMPTE/ITU for Dolby Digital (AC3)		L	R	C	LFE	Ls	Rs
DTS or ProControl		L	R	Ls	Rs	C	LFE
C|24		L	C	R	Ls	Rs	Lf
Control|24		L	R	C	Lf	Ls	Rs

The following table shows the X-MON mono track routing for a 7.1 SDDS mix. A 5.1 mix should use the same routing, excluding outputs 2 and 4 (Lc and Rc).

 

Default Track Layout for 7.1 SDDS Format

Formats		Track Layout
		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
ICON X-MON		L	Lc	C	Rc	R	Ls	Rs	LFE

To connect your audio interfaces for 5.1 format mixing and monitoring:

1 Determine the 5.1 format and track layout you want to use.

2 Connect the output channels of your audio interface to the corresponding input channels of your monitoring system according to the assignments listed in the tables above.

If you use a control surface, see its guide for more information.