SoundCode For Dolby Digital

Plug-In Users GuideVersion 1.0 for Pro Tools TDM Systems on

Windows and Macintosh

Created By NeyrinckSan Francisco, CA USA

www.neyrinck.cominfo@neyrinck.com

Manufactured and Distributed By Digidesign2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard

Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USAtel: 650·731·6300fax: 650·731·6399

Technical Support (USA)tel: 650·731·6100fax: 650·731·6384

Product Information (USA)tel: 650·731·6102tel: 800·333·2137

International OfficesVisit the Digidesign Web site

for contact information

Web Sitewww.digidesign.com

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1 IntroductionWelcomeSystem RequirementsBetter Decoder Integration in Pro Tools 7.0 or HigherUsing Pro Tools 6.7 and EarlierImportant Non-Dithered And Dithered Mixer InformationImportant Sample Rate Information

Chapter 2 InstallationInstalling SoundCode For Dolby DigitalAuthorizing SoundCode For Dolby DigitalRemoving Expired Plug-Ins

Chapter 3 Dolby Digital Encoder Plug-InOverviewDescription and Use Of ControlsEncoding With Punch In/OutEncoding Log File

Chapter 4 Dolby Digital Decoder Plug-InOverviewRTAS/HTDM WindowAudioSuite WindowDescription and Use Of ControlsLatency

Chapter 5 WorkflowsMix For DVD VideoQuality Assurance Test A Dolby Digital FileDecoding Audio From A DVD PlayerDeliver A Dolby Digital Bitstream Via an AES OutMake A DVD Ref DiskMake A Surround Audio CD Ref Disk

Chapter 6 Troubleshooting

Chapter 1Introduction

Welcome To SoundCodeFor Dolby Digital

SoundCode For Dolby Digital is amastering quality set of plug-ins forencoding and decoding Dolby Digitalaudio in Pro Tools systems. DolbyDigital, also known as AC3, is adigital audio compression technologydeveloped by Dolby Laboratories. Itis used to encode mono, stereo, andsurround audio for DVD, digitaltelevision, and cinema.

The SoundCode Dolby Digital EncoderFeatures:• Capable of faster than real time

encoding.• Writes all AC3 file formats

including time code.• Punch In/Out feature re-encodes

a portion or appends to anexisting Dolby Digital file.

• Writes WAV files formatted forstereo PCM digital systems.

• Supports extensive metadatasettings including Dolby SurroundEX flag.

• Imports decoded audio or rawdata stream into Pro Toolstimeline.

• Writes log file of all metadata andpreprocessor settings.

The SoundCode Dolby Digital DecoderFeatures:• RTAS surround decoder (Pro

Tools 7.0 and higher).

• HTDM surround decoder (ProTools 6.9.X)

• AudioSuite non-real time decoder• Extensive metadata indication• Dynamic range compression

metering with text value display• Output level metering• Import data stream into Pro Tools

(AudioSuite)

System Requirements

To use SoundCode For DolbyDigital, you need the followingsystem:• A Digidesign-qualified Pro Tools

TDM system running Pro Tools6.9.X. Pro Tools 7.0 or higher isrecommended to take advantageof RTAS functionality thatreplaced HTDM.

Better Decoder Integration in ProTools 7.0 or HigherWhen using Pro Tools 7.0 or higher,the SoundCode Dolby DigitalDecoder integrates better byfeaturing RTAS decoding on Auxtracks in TDM systems. Additionally,the 5.1 decoder can be used on adisk track. If you use anythingbefore Pro Tools 7.0, you have touse HTDM decoders on TDMsystems. HTDM plug-ins can haveperformance problems that areeliminated by using Pro Tools 7.0and its new RTAS capabilities.

Pro Tools 6.7 and EarlierSoundCode Dolby Digital willoperate with Pro Tools 6.7 andearlier, but it has not been qualifiedand is not supported. Pro Tools 6.9and later is supported. If you use itwith Pro Tools 6.7 or earlier, not allfeatures are available. TheSoundCode Dolby Digital Encoderwill not have an “Encode” button. Itwill only have an “Encode AndImport” button at the bottom of theplug-in window. However, in theImport options page, you can select“No Import” so that the selectedaudio is not altered when encoding isperformed. The disadvantage,however, is that a DAE errormessage will be displayed.

Important Non-Dithered AndDithered Mixer InformationSoundCode For Dolby Digital allowsyou to place a Dolby Digital datastream in the Pro Tools timeline androute it to an AES/SPDIF output.However, this requires you use thenon-dithered mixer plug-in. This isbecause the Dolby Digital datastream cannot be altered. Thedithered mixer sums a dither signalwith the data stream and thus, altersit which makes the data streamunusable. The rule is that if usingthe dithered mixer, you cannot mix aDolby Digital data stream to any bus.It is OK to place a data stream on atrack and place a SoundCode DolbyDigital Decoder on an insert on thattrack.

Important Sample RateInformation

SoundCode For Dolby Digitaloperates in 44.1 kHz and 48 kHzsample rate sessions. It is notcompatible with higher sample rates.If the source audio is at a highersample rate, you need to samplerate convert it by exporting it fromPro Tools, open it in another sessionat the lower sample rate, and thenuse SoundCode For Dolby Digital.Also, the Encoder Punch In/Outfeature is only available in 48 kHzsample rate sessions. Punch In/Outis not supported at 44.1 kHz.

Chapter 2 Installation

Installing SoundCode ForDolby Digital

Installers can be downloaded fromthe Digidesign website(www.digidesign.com), downloadedfrom the Neyrinck website(www.neyrinck.com), or can befound on the plug-in installer CD-ROM (included with boxed versionsof plug-ins).

Installation steps are essentially thesame, regardless of the bundle,package, or system you purchase.

InstallationTo install SoundCode For Dolby Digital:

1. if Pro Tools is running, Quit ProTools.2. Locate and open (double-click) theplug-in installer.3. Follow the instructions presentedby the installation software.4. When installation is complete,click Quit.

When you open Pro Tools, you willbe prompted to authorize your newplug-in.

Authorizing SoundCodeFor Dolby Digital

SoundCode For Dolby Digitalrequires an authorized iLok USB Keyto be connected to your computerwhen using Pro Tools. The iLokauthorization needs to be obtainedonline and downloaded onto youriLok USB Key. The ActivationPostcard included in your purchasecontains your Activation Code andinstructions on how to obtain yourplug-in license online. You will needan iLok.com account to complete theprocess. If you do not yet have anilok.com account, visit www.ilok.comto set up an account for free.

The iLok USB Smart Key is not suppliedwith your plug-in or software option. You canuse the one included with certain Pro Toolssystems (such as Pro Tools|HD-seriessystems), or purchase one separately.

Removing Expired Plug-InsIf you let a demo version of a plug-inexpire, you should remove it fromyour system. Otherwise, each timeyou open Pro Tools you will beprompted with a message that theplug-in has expired.To remove an expired plug-in:

Open the Plug-Ins folder on yourStartup drive (Library/ApplicationSupport/Digidesign on OS X orc:\ProgramFiles\Common\Digidesign\DAE\PlugIns on Windows XP).

Drag the expired plug-in to theTrash.

Chapter 3Dolby Digital Encoder Plug-In

OverviewThe encoder is implemented as anAudioSuite plug-in. Open the plug-inwindow by selecting it from theAudioSuite menu in Pro Tools. Theplug-in is located in the Sound Fieldcategory.

How To Encode1. Select some audio in the timeline2. Open SoundCode Dolby DigitalEncoder3. Set the Dolby Digital encodingparameters.4. Set the output file name.

5. Select AC3 and/or WAV fileoutput types to encode to.

6. Click on the “Encode” button.

Description and Use OfControlsThe user interface is divided into twosections. The ENCODE sectioncontrols the metadata andpreprocessing settings used by theencoder. These settings can besaved as presets using the Pro Toolsplug-in preset features. TheOUTPUT section controls how andwhere the encoded data will bewritten. These control settingscannot be saved as presets.Instead, these control settings arepersistent and are saved in apreferences file that is read when theplug-in window is opened. When thewindow is closed, the currentsettings are saved to the preferencesfile. The preferences file isassociated with the currently loggedin user of the computer. Each useraccount has a separate preferencesfile.

Integrated HelpSoundCode features integrated helpthat describes the functionality ofcontrols. To see information about acontrol, click on the text label in theuser interface.

ENCODE Controls – DefaultSettingsWhen the encoder plug-in is opened,the controls default to settingsrecommended by Dolby. You canchange the default settings by usingPro Tools ability to save a userpreset and set it as the defaultsetting. Please consult the ProTools Plug-Ins User Guide for moreinformation.

ENCODE Controls - EncoderDolby Digital encoding has manyfeatures and options. Please seethe separate document titled DolbyEncoding Guidelines.pdf for athorough explanation of DolbyDigital. The following is a simpleexplanation of the controls.

Coding ModeThis popup menu control selects thechannel configuration of the primaryaudio channels and does not includethe LFE channel.

Data RateThis popup control selects the datarate of the Dolby Digital data stream.A lower setting uses less space on aDVD, but will have lower audioquality. A higher setting uses morespace on a DVD, but has higheraudio quality

Bitstream ModeThis popup control selects the typeof audio that is being encoded.Complete Main is the most commonsetting.

Dialog NormThis popup control selects the levelof the dialog in the source materialrelative to 0 dbFS. Its purpose is toallow the decoder to adjust playbacklevel so that dialog loudness will beconsistent. When set to –31, adecoder will not change the playbacklevel. When set to 0, the decoderwill reduce the level by 31 dB.

LFE EnableThis button sets whether or not youare encoding an LFE channel.

Center MixThis popup menu selects the gainapplied to the center channel whendownmixing to stereo. This control isonly available when a center channelis being encoded.

Surround MixThis popup menu selects the gainapplied to the rear channels whendownmixing to stereo. This control isonly available when a rear channelsare being encoded.

Dolby Surround ModeThis popup menu selects whether astereo mix has been Dolby Surroundencoded, or not, or is not known.This control is only available whenencoding stereo program material.

CopyrightThis button turns off or on a flag thatindicates the audio is copyrightprotected or not..

OriginalThis button turns off or on a flag thatindicates the audio being encoded isthe original audio or is a copy of theoriginal audio.

Room TypeThis popup menu selects the type ofroom used when mixing the audiothat is being encoded.

Mix LevelThis popup menu selects the audioplayback levels used when mixingthe audio being encoded.

Info ExistsThis button turns off or on a flagwhether the datastream indicates theRoom Type and Mix Level controls.

LoRo Cntr MixThis popup menu selects how thecenter channel will be downmixed fora normal, stereo downmix.

LoRo Surr MixThis popup menu selects how therear channels will be downmixed fora normal, stereo downmix.

LtRt Cntr MixThis popup menu selects how thecenter channel will be downmixed fora DolbySurround compatible stereodownmix.

Dolby Surround EX ModeThis popup menu selects whetherthe data stream is indicated to beDolby Surround EX encoded.

Stereo Downmix PreferenceThis popup menu selects whatdownmix type is preferred whendecoded.

BSI Extension EnableThis button enables/disableswhether the bitstream infoextensions are used in thedatastream.

Dynamic Range CompressionThis popup menu selects the “profile”used to encode a dynamic rangecompression sidechain signal intothe data stream.

Surr 3 dB AttenuationWhen this button is ON, the encoderwill attenuate the rear channels by 3dB. This is necessary for mixes thatwere made for cinema and are beingencoded for DVD.

Surr Phase ShiftWhen this button is ON, the encoderwill apply a 90 degree phase shift tothe rear channels. This controlshould always be enabled unless thematerial will never be downmixed. Ifnot used, an LtRt downmix mightsound unbalanced to the right side.

Lowpass FilterWhen this button is ON, the encoderwill apply a lowpass filter to all theaudio channels.

LFE FilterWhen this button is ON, the encoderwill apply a lowpass filter to the LFEchannel.

DC FilterWhen this button is ON, the encoderwill apply a highpass filter to all theaudio channels.

OUTPUT Controls - EncoderThe output controls are divided intothree pages: File, Punch In/Out, andImport

File PageFile NameThis control sets the name of the filethat will be written by the encoder. Itis not used to set the file nameextension. Click on it and use thekeyboard to set the name and pressEnter/Return when finished. The filename will have an extension of AC3or WAV appended to it dependingupon the settings of the AC3 Enableand WAV Enable controls.

AC3 EnableThis selects if an AC3 file is to bewritten by the encoder.

AC3 TypeThis popup control selects the typeof AC3 file the encoder will export to.The choices are Normal,Normal+Timecode, and PC(LittleEndian).

Normal - This is the default settingand is most compatible with DVDauthoring applications.Normal+Timecode - This adds timecode information and can be useful

for locating the audio properly inrelated applications.PC (Little Endian) - This format is notused often but is available in caseyou need it.

WAV EnableThis selects if a WAV file is to bewritten by the encoder.

WAV TypeThis popup control selects the typeof WAV file the encoder will exportto. You can select a 16-bit or 24-bitstereo interleaved file.

BrowseThis control launches a ChooseFolder dialog. You use it to select alocation to add to the list of locationsmanaged by the “Location” control.

LocationThis is a popup menu control thatmanages a list of locations to choosefrom. The location is where the AC3and/or WAV file(s) will be written. Ifthe list is empty, then you mustselect a location with the “Browse”control. Once you have one or morelocations in the list, you can use thispopup control to select the one youwant to use. The last two entries inthe popup allow you to remove thecurrent entry or all entries.

Punch In/Out Page

Punch EnableThis enables punch mode of theencoder. Please see the PunchIn/Out section of this user guide for

information about using the punchfeature.

Punch Start, End, LengthThese values indicate the time codelocation and length of how a punch-enabled encode process will beperformed.

For more information about thePunch In/Out feature, see thesection titled Encoding Using PunchIn/Out.

Import PageDecode Mode -This control selects how audio will beimported into Pro Tools when the“Encode And Import” button isclicked. If set to Line Mode, theencoded data will be decoded usingLine Mode of the Dolby Digitaldecoder. If set to Data Stream, theDolby DIgital data stream will beformatted as PCM audio. If you areusing Pro Tools 6.7 or earlier, therewill be a No Import setting that canbe used to force the system to notimport audio or data. However, aDAE error will occur each time. ProTools 6.9 or higher is recommendedfor better Pro Tools integration.

Alert Sound -This control selects whether or notthe computer’s audio system willplay an alert sound when anencoding process has finished.

Pro Tools Controls At Bottom OfWindow - EncoderThere will be one or two buttons atthe bottom of the window. Both startthe encoding process and will write

AC3 and/or WAV files containing theDolby Digital data stream. But thetwo buttons differ with respect toimporting data back into Po Toolswhen encoding.

Encode And Import Button-Click this button to encode and alsoimport decoded audio into Pro Tools.

Encode -This control only encodes to anexternal file and does not moify theaudio in the region list or timeline. Ifyou use Pro Tools 6.7 or earlier, thisbutton will not be available and youcan accomplish the same action byselecting “No Import” in theDecoding Mode control.

Encoding With Punch In/OutSoundCode For Dolby Digital is ableto re-encode a portion of an existingDolby Digital data stream file orappend additional encoded audio tothe end. This can save youenormous amounts of time. If, forexample, you have already encodeda two-hour film soundtrack for aDVD, but a last-minute change ismade to replace one line of dialog,you can re-encode just the line ofdialog. Other software-basedsystems require you to re-encodethe entire two-hour soundtrack.

For Punch In/Out to operateproperly, you must follow theserules:1. Only 48 kHz sample rate audiocan be used. Punch In/Out will notoperate in 44.1 kHz sessions.

2. The audio being encoded mustbe located properly in the Pro Toolstimeline. If the existing AC3 file istype Normal or PC(Little Endian), thePunch In/Out start and end pointsare relative to the start of the ProTools session. If the existing AC3 fileis type Normal+Timecode, the PunchIn/Out start and end points arerelative to the AC3 file time code.

3. You must have 3072 samples (64milliseconds) of audio pre-roll beforethe start point. The pre-roll audio isnecessary to “prime” the encoder sothat the re-encoded data willseamlessly punch in without a glitch.

4. You must encode using the samemetadata and preprocessing settingsused when originally encoded.

5. The existing AC3 file must haveconsistent metadata in the entire file.The encoder checks the first frameof the existing file to make sure itmatches.

6. The punch start location can notbe before the start location of theexisting AC3 file or after the endlocation of the existing AC3 file.

How To Re-Encode With PunchIn/Out

1. Make sure the audio is located inthe timeline properly.2. Select the audio in the timeline.3. Open SoundCode Dolby DigitalEncoder4. Set the Dolby Digital encodingparameters to match what was usedin the original encoded file.5. Set the output file name to thename of the existing AC3 or WAVfile.6. Select AC3 and/or WAV fileoutput types.7. Click the Punch In/Out Enablebutton in the Punch In/Out page ofthe OUTPUT section.8. Click on the “Encode” or “Encodeand Import” button.

Encoding Log FileSoundCode For Dolby Digital writesa log file when encoding. The log filehas the same name as theAC3/WAV file created except thatthe extension is .LOG. It is locatedat the same folder/directory wherethe AC3/WAV file is created. The fileis appended with log informationeach time it encodes. This allowsyou of keep track of multiple encodeoperations on the same AC3/WAVfile.

Chapter 4Dolby Digital Decoder Plug-In

OverviewThe decoder plug-in operates as areal time RTAS orHTDM plug-in oras a non-real time AudioSuite plug-in. The plug-in types are located inthe Sound Field category of ProTools lists of plug-ins. Open theAudioSuite plug-in window byselecting it from the AudioSuitemenu in Pro Tools. Pro Tools 7.0and later has these real time RTAStypes: stereo-to-mono, stereo-to-stereo, and stereo-to-5.1. Openthem by clicking a Pro Tools channelinsert and navigating the RTAS mult-channel popup menu. Pro Tools 6.9has these real time HTDM types:stereo-to-mono, stereo-to-stereo,and stereo-to-5.1. Open them byclicking a Pro Tools channel insertand navigating the TDM mult-channel popup menu. The plug-in isnot available in the multi-mono list.

RTAS/HTDM WindowThe RTAS/HTDM user interface isshown below. It is divided into twosections. The DECODE sectioncontrols how the decoder operatesand allows you to emulate differentdecoding environments. TheSTATUS section displaysinformation about the Dolby Digitaldata stream as well as outputmeters.

AudioSuite WindowThe AudioSuite user interface hasthe same DECODE and STATUSsections as the RTAS/HTDM userinterface. It also has an INPUTsection to select AC3 files andcontrol how audio is imported.

Description and Use OfControls

Integrated HelpSoundCode features integrated helpthat describes the functionality ofcontrols. To see information about acontrol, click on the text label in theuser interface.

INPUT Controls (Audio Suite Only)– DecoderThe AudioSuite INPUT sectioncontrols the source Dolby Digitaldata stream used by the decoder.These settings cannot be saved aspresets using the Pro Tools plug-inpreset features. Instead, thesecontrol settings are persistent andare saved in a preferences file that isread when the plug-in window isopened.

SourceThis control selects the Dolby Digitalsource used by the decoder. If set to“.ac3 file,” the AC3 file specified bythe “ac3 file” control is used. If set to“track stream,” the audio highlightedin the Pro Tools timeline is used.Note that the audio must containAC3 data properly formatted as PCMdigital audio.

BrowseClicking this button launches a dialogthat is used to browse the file systemand choose an AC3 file to add to the“ac3 file” list control to the right of it.On OS X you can select multiplefiles.

AC3 File

This popup control selects the AC3file used by the decoder. If the list isempty, then you must select a filewith the “Browse” control. Once youhave one or more files in the list, youcan use this popup control to selectthe one you want to use. The lasttwo entries in the popup allow you toremove the current entry or allentries.

Spot ToThis popup controls how thedecoded audio will be located in thePro Tools timeline. When“Selection” is chosen, the audio willbe located to the start of theselection in the timeline. If the AC3file has embedded time code, theother choice is Timecode. WhenTimecode is chosen, the audio willbe located at the time code start ofthe AC3 file. If the AC3 file does nothave embedded time code, the otherchoice is “Session Start.” If “SessionStart” is chosen, the audio will belocated to the start of the timeline.

LengthThis popup control selects how muchof the AC3 file will be decoded.When set to Entire, the entire AC3file will be decoded no matter whatlength is selected in the timeline.When set to Partial, the length of thetimeline selection is used todetermine how much of the file willbe decoded.

Start and EndThese are not adjustable controls.They display the time code start andend locations where decoded audiowill be placed.

DECODE Controls- Decoder(RTAS/HTDM/AudioSuite)Decoding ModeThis control selects the Dolby Digitaldecoder mode.Line Mode – This is the defaultconsumer decoder mode.Custom Mode – This mode isavailable in more expensiveconsumer decoders and allows thedynamic range compression to beadjusted.RF Mode – This mode is used bydecoders to feed a television RFinput and uses the maximum amountof dynamic range compression.Data Stream – This passes theDolby Digital data stream andformats it for transmission in a stereoPCM digital audio system.

Compression LoThis popup control selects thepercentage of dynamic rangeexpansion control signal used by thedecoder.

Compression HiThis popup control selects thepercentage of dynamic rangecompression control signal used bythe decoder.

Stereo DownmixThis popup control selects how thedecoder will downmix multichannelaudio to stereo. When set to None,no stereo downmixing is performed.When set to LtRt , it is downmixed toDolby Surround compatible stereo.When set to LoRo, it is downmixedto stereo. When set to Auto Detect, itattempts to determine whether aLoRo or LtRt downmix should be

used. Typical consumer decodersimplement LtRt downmixing,

Listening ModeThis popup control allows you tosimulate different Dolby Digitallistening environments. When set toFull, all channels are enabled.When set to Front Only, the rearsurround channels are disabled andmixed to the front channels.When set to Phantom Center, thecenter channel is disabled and mixedto the left and right channels.

MonoThis mixes all channels to a singlecenter channel.

Output Stem Format (AudioSuite Only)This sets the output stem formatused by the decoder when decodingan AC3 file. When set to ‘File ChanMode’ it will automatically detect thechannel mode of the AC3 file. Allother settings are standard stemformats. Use them to override thefile channel mode and decode to thespecified stem format.

STATUS Controls- DecoderPage 1. Page 2This control selects between twodifferent sets of metadatainformation for display.

Page 1 STATUS Items

Data RateThis displays the Dolby Digital datarate.

Chan ModeThis displays the Dolby Digitalchannel mode.

Length (AudioSuite Only)This displays the length of theselected AC3 file. It is displayed astime code using the Pro Toolssession frame rate. The frame rateis displayed at the end of the valuewhere ND indicates non-drop frameand DF indicates drop frame.

Timecode (AudioSuite Only)This displays the start time code ofthe selected AC3 file. It is displayedas time code using the AC3 filesession frame rate. The frame rateis displayed at the end of the valuewhere ND indicates non-drop frameand DF indicates drop frame. If thefile does not contain time code, “NoTimecode” is displayed.

Dialog LevelThis displays the dialognormalization value. The decoderapplies a gain to the audio based onthis value. The gain applied followsthese equations:

Line ModeGain = -31 – DIALNORM (dB)

RF ModeGain = 11 -31 – DIALNORM (dB)

CRC ErrorsThis displays detection of CyclicRedundancy Checking errors thatindicate the data stream is corrupted.Each time an error is detected, thevalue will increase. If you click onthe numeric value, it will be cleared.

GainThis displays one of two dynamicrange compression signal embeddedin the Dolby Digital data stream. Ifthe decoder mode control is set toRF Mode, it displays RF Modecompression and the range is +- 48dB. For all other decoder modes, itdisplays normal dynamic rangecompression and the range is +- 24dB.

Page 2 STATUS Items

This displays most metadatainformation. Please refer to thedocument “Dolby Encodingguidelines.pdf” fopr more informationabout these values.

Latency- DecoderThe RTAS and HTDM decodershave a latency of one Dolby Digitalframe (1536 samples) plus delayintroduced by Pro Tools buffers thatwill depend upon settings made inthe Playback Engine dialog or whichHTDM Stream Manager is selected.Use Pro Tools ability to display plug-

in latency to see the exact latency inyour system.

The AudioSuite decoder has zerolatency. It can do this because it isnot a real time process.

Chapter 5Workflows

Mix For DVD VideoIn this scenario, you are mixing theaudio soundtrack for a DVD and need todeliver a Dolby Digital AC3 file for aDVD.1. Finish the mix by bouncing it to

disk in Pro Tools.2. Import the mix bounce into a Pro

Tools track that matches thestem format of the mix. Forexample, if the mix is 5.1channels, import the bounced mixinto a 5.1 track.

3. Make sure the imported mix ispositioned in the timeline at thecorrect location. Typically, it willbe placed at the far left of thetimeline.

4. Select the imported mix in thetimeline.

5. Select the SoundCode DolbyDigital Encoder plug-in in theAudioSuite menu.

6. Set the encoding controls.7. Click on the “Encode” button.

Quality Assurance Test ADolby Digital FileIn this scenario, you would like to listento an AC3 file synchronized to Pro Toolsvideo playback.

1. Create a stereo track where theAC3 file data stream will be importedto.2. Select the AudioSuite SoundCodeDolby Digital Decoder plug-in.3. Click the browse control andselect the AC3 file to be imported.4. Place the timeline cursor wherethe AC3 file starts or if it is atimecode file, set the spot-to controlto Timecode.5. Set the Decode Mode control toData Stream and set the OutputStem Format control to Stereo.6. Click the Decode And Importbutton.

Decoding Audio From ADVD PlayerIn this scenario, you would like to listento a DVD decoded for playback in yourPro Tools system or monitor itsmetadata. For example, you are mixingthe audio soundtrack for a DVD and youwant to compare your mix to one on apopular DVD. Another example is thatyou have burned a DVD with a DolbyDigital soundtrack and you want to listento it on your Pro Tools system. TheSoundCode decoder makes it easy todecode and listen to a Dolby DigitalDVD in your Pro Tools system. This isdone by connecting the optical or SPDIFoutput of a consumer DVD player to aPro Tools digital input. The stereobitstream is then routed to a stereo Auxtrack. A SoundCode Dolby DigitalDecoder is placed on the aux track anddecodes the audio.1. Connect the optical or SPDIF output

of a consumer DVD player to a ProTools hardware digital input.

2. Set the Pro Tools system to sync tothe digital input fed by the DVDplayer.

3. Create a stereo aux track in ProTools.

4. Set the aux track input to come fromthe digital input connected to theDVD player.

5. On the aux track instantiate anHTDM (PT 6.9 and earlier) or RTAS(PT 7 and later) SoundCode DolbyDigital Decoder (stereo-5.1).

6. Now you can listen to the DVD andmonitor its metadata.

Deliver A Dolby DigitalBitstream Via an AES OutIn this scenario, you would like to outputa Dolby Digital AC3 file to a Pro ToolsAES, SPDIF, or Optical output. This isaccomplished by importing an AC3 fileinto a stereo track, routing the track to adigital output using the non-ditheredmixer, and pressing play on the ProTools transport.1. Make certain you are using the Pro

Tools non-dithered mixer.2. Create a Pro Tools session with a

sample rate of 48 kHz. It is OK touse a 16-bit or 24-bit session. 24-bitwill not perform any better than 16-bit.

3. Open the SoundCode Dolby DigitalDecoder from the AudioSuite menu.

4. Click the browse button and selectthe AC3 file you would like to playout of Pro Tools.

5. Create a stereo track in Pro Tools.6. Place the cursor in the timeline in the

stereo track.7. In the Decoder window, set the input

control to “AC3 File,” the lengthcontrol to “Entire,” the DecodeMode control to “Data Stream,” theChannel Mode control “Stereo.”

8. Click the “Decode and Import”button at the bottom of the window.Now you should see strange lookingaudio in the timeline that is bursts ofdata every 1536 samples.

9. Set the track output to the interfaceoutput of an AES, SPDIF, or Opticaldigital output.

10. VERY IMPORTANT – Set thechannel mix level to 0 dB. This willnot work unless the gain is unity.

11. VERY IMPORTANT – Pan thechannels hard left and right. This

will not work unless the channels arepanned hard left and right.

12. Press play on the Pro Toolstransport.

Make A DVD Ref DiskIn this scenario, you would like to makea DVD to watch and listen to it onvarious consumer playback systems.This is done by encoding an AC3 fileand then using it with DVD authoringsoftware to make a DVD.1. Encode the mix to an AC3 file as

outlined in the workflow named“Mix For DVD Video.”

2. Use a DVD authoring application tocreate a DVD. There are manysolutions for this. Be certain to useone that can multiplex an AC3 fileinto the DVD. Most professionalapplications such as DVD Studio Proand Sonic Scenarist can do this.Unfortunately, Apple’s iDVD doesnot do this. But there are variouscheap shareware programs that can.I suggest you do a Google search for“DVD AC3 Mux” as a starting point.

Make A Surround AudioCD Ref DiskIn this scenario, you would like to listento a surround music mix on a consumerplayback system that has a Dolby Digitaldecoder. This is done by encoding aWAV file, burning an audio CD with theWAV file on it, connecting a consumerCD/DVD player’s digital bitstream

output to a Dolby Digital decoder, andplaying the CD with CD/DVD player.

1. Finish the music mix bybouncing it to disk in ProTools.

2. Import the mix bounce into aPro Tools track that matchesthe stem format of the mix.For example, if the mix is 5.1channels, import the bouncedmix into a 5.1 track.

3. Select the imported mix in thetimeline.

4. Select the SoundCode DolbyDigital Encoder plug-in in theAudioSuite menu.

5. Set the encoding controls sothat no preprocessing is used,the bit rate is as high aspossible, dialog normalization= 31, the WAV ouput controlis turned ON, and the WAVformat is set to 16-bitinterleaved.

6. Click on the “Encode” button.If you are using Pro Tools 6.7or earlier, click the “EncodeAnd Import” button.

7. Burn an audio CD with the WAVfile on track 1.

8. Play the CD on an audio systemwith a CD/DVD player with thebitstream digital outputconnected to an external decoder.

Chapter 6Troubleshooting

Error Message: Updated Tpkd Driver RequiredIf you see this message when Pro Tools is launching on Windows XP, it means that yourPACE iLok driver needs to be updated to a newer version. Go to PACE’s website atwww.paceap.com to download a driver installer.

Decoder Display: MPEG UnalignedIf you see this displayed in the decoder’s status area, it means that a Dolby Digitalbitstream has been detected but the bitstream has been altered. A bitstream must passinto the plug-in without any alteration. For example, if the gain of the bitstream signalwas altered, this message would be seen.

Decoder Won’t Decode Dolby Digital Data StreamIf the decoder is not recognizing a Dolby Digital data stream, it suggests that the datastream has been altered. It is very important that a data stream not be altered. Samplerate conversion, gain change, dithering, EQ, compression, and any other type of audiosignal processing will alter a data stream and make it unusable.