5 ms·

I have never understood surround sound: just mix the audio in mono and make sure that every word can be cleanly heard by my father who is 85 and uses a hearing

I have never understood surround sound: just mix the audio in mono and make sure that every word can be cleanly heard by my father who is 85 and uses a hearing aid. As an unintended side effect your movie will be more widely appreciated by every other demographic. The premise of surround sound is that it is extremely important to know the direction that the sound is coming from -- but when you sacrifice the audience's understanding of what is happening in the movie to achieve this sound directionality, then you've completely lost the plot.

BLKNSLVR 4y ago
I seem to be missing the gene that most people my age have that requires them to have 5.1 or 7.1 sound, and I consider myself to be somewhat of a movie connoisseur. Actually, maybe that's why. I can feel immersed in a movie without needing the sound to 'prove' it. The picture is still that little window in front of me, why does the sound need to be all over? Happy to be educated as to all the reasons I'm missing out on 'the real experience' though.
acuozzo 4y ago
> just mix the audio in mono and make sure that every word can be cleanly heard by my father who is 85 and uses a hearing aid Unfortunately, this would trash the theatrical mix. Dialogue would roar from the center channel with every other channel operating at a whisper. The right solution is to produce two mixes: a stereo home mix and a surround theatrical one. Make the stereo home mix the default. Any *-phile is going to make sure the movie is using the right mix beforehand anyway.
- jononomo 4y ago
  There is zero need for surround sound -- the plot is infinitely more important than knowing which direction a sound came from. Surround sound is completely and utterly a waste in every respect.
  - acuozzo 4y ago
    There is zero need for color -- the plot is infinitely more important than knowing the hair color of its actors. Color is completely and utterly a waste in every respect. There is zero need for widescreen -- There is zero need for high definition -- There is zero need for stereo audio -- There is zero need for digital home video -- The plot is infinitely more important than any of the aforementioned gimmicks. All we need is B&W+mono on RCA SelectaVision CEDs playing on 9" round CRT TVs. If the mains for the TV has a ground wire, then it's too new! Hell, we can do one better: https://www.theonion.com/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-televisi-1819565469 https://www.theonion.com/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-d...
    - jononomo 4y ago
      Yeah, I agree with all that. A good movie in black and white is infinitely preferable to a bad color movie with surround sound and high def and widescreen, etc. I have nothing against new tech, but the STORY and the motivations of the characters need to be absolutely preeminent. Nothing is worse than a chase scene in which there is no tension, which is why I pretty much stopped watching movies fifteen years ago. Frankly, the area man is on to something.
      - acuozzo 4y ago
        Meh, I see value in both The Magnificent Ambersons and the French atmospheric cinema of the '60s. Film, as art, should not be forced into a box. There's value to film with no plot at all. Consider Koyaanisqatsi.
        jononomo 4y ago
        I do prefer Koyaanisqatsi to any movie that thinks it has a plot but really just has a bunch of surround sound and vibrant colors signifying nothing. Koyaanisqatsi is great for putting on a large flatscreen in the backround while you're playing a board game with friends. My favorite movie of all time is City of God -- tons of plot, compelling characters, realistic situation, great music, a totally immersive experience. I consider it the greatest movie ever made in spite of the fact that you have to watch it with subtitles unless you speak Portuguese.

BLKNSLVR 4y ago

I seem to be missing the gene that most people my age have that requires them to have 5.1 or 7.1 sound, and I consider myself to be somewhat of a movie connoisseur. Actually, maybe that's why. I can feel immersed in a movie without needing the sound to 'prove' it. The picture is still that little window in front of me, why does the sound need to be all over? Happy to be educated as to all the reasons I'm missing out on 'the real experience' though.

acuozzo 4y ago

> just mix the audio in mono and make sure that every word can be cleanly heard by my father who is 85 and uses a hearing aid Unfortunately, this would trash the theatrical mix. Dialogue would roar from the center channel with every other channel operating at a whisper. The right solution is to produce two mixes: a stereo home mix and a surround theatrical one. Make the stereo home mix the default. Any *-phile is going to make sure the movie is using the right mix beforehand anyway.

jononomo 4y ago
There is zero need for surround sound -- the plot is infinitely more important than knowing which direction a sound came from. Surround sound is completely and utterly a waste in every respect.
- acuozzo 4y ago
  There is zero need for color -- the plot is infinitely more important than knowing the hair color of its actors. Color is completely and utterly a waste in every respect. There is zero need for widescreen -- There is zero need for high definition -- There is zero need for stereo audio -- There is zero need for digital home video -- The plot is infinitely more important than any of the aforementioned gimmicks. All we need is B&W+mono on RCA SelectaVision CEDs playing on 9" round CRT TVs. If the mains for the TV has a ground wire, then it's too new! Hell, we can do one better: https://www.theonion.com/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-doesnt-own-a-televisi-1819565469 https://www.theonion.com/area-man-constantly-mentioning-he-d...
  - jononomo 4y ago
    Yeah, I agree with all that. A good movie in black and white is infinitely preferable to a bad color movie with surround sound and high def and widescreen, etc. I have nothing against new tech, but the STORY and the motivations of the characters need to be absolutely preeminent. Nothing is worse than a chase scene in which there is no tension, which is why I pretty much stopped watching movies fifteen years ago. Frankly, the area man is on to something.
    - acuozzo 4y ago
      Meh, I see value in both The Magnificent Ambersons and the French atmospheric cinema of the '60s. Film, as art, should not be forced into a box. There's value to film with no plot at all. Consider Koyaanisqatsi.
      - jononomo 4y ago
        I do prefer Koyaanisqatsi to any movie that thinks it has a plot but really just has a bunch of surround sound and vibrant colors signifying nothing. Koyaanisqatsi is great for putting on a large flatscreen in the backround while you're playing a board game with friends. My favorite movie of all time is City of God -- tons of plot, compelling characters, realistic situation, great music, a totally immersive experience. I consider it the greatest movie ever made in spite of the fact that you have to watch it with subtitles unless you speak Portuguese.