Downmixing 5.1, 5.0 to stereo is used to playback multichannel audio files at stereo systems. As rule, stereo headphones are used for music listening on portable audio players and mobile phones. Read how to convert multichannel to stereo to reduce music file size for limited disk-drive space of portable audio player or another device.
To downmix 5.1 to stereo or 5.0 to 2.0:
WARNING:
DVD-audio/video, Blu-Ray, DVD/BluRay/CD ISO are NOT supported.
For Modula-R version, SACD ISO, DSF, DFF are supported in proper configurations.
For ISO tracks, DSF, DFF longer than 3 minutes, FREE edition mutes 2-second silence in the output middle and has other restrictions
Check DSD music downloads >
Channel number reduction is not a purely technical procedure. How to downmix 5.1 to stereo is an element of art.
Played multichannel record back may have a different sound depending on the listening room and apparatus with its settings.
When studio producers have original mono tracks for each sound source of the record, their spatial locations can be modeled mathematically. The calculation may be done for a given channel number N. In instance, N=6 or 5.1 or five speakers and subwoofer. As result, we get several N-channel tracks. They are united into a single N-channel bus. And, N-channel recording is distributed.
5.1-to-stereo converter or downmix plugin of digital audio workstation has this distributed record as input. So there are issues with the sound source separation. And channel number conversion is not the same as the above-mentioned studio work, where sources may be separated.
Studio records may be provided in several variants with the different channel number. As example, multichannel and 2.0 options of the same album.
It is not possible to say what is better in the general case: stereo variant of studio record or multichannel file, that is downmixed in conversion software. There are many conditions: original stuff, quality of math modeling, converter's algorithm, others. In the author's opinion, the best thing to do is compare target stereo records aurally.
Above we considered that no single "right" way to convert 5.1 audio to 2 channel file.
Therefore AuI ConverteR provides 2 alternative downmixing modes:
You may select the mode where you like the sound more.
You can check the sound of the downmix processing in FREE edition when converting 5.1 to stereo.
For Modula-R edition the option of 5.1 to 2.0 converter is applied in the "Downmix (add-on)" module. It may be purchased separately. "Base (core)" module is required for this add-on.
SACD ISO-capable configurations of AuI ConverteR allow extracting either stereo tracks from SACD ISO or getting multichannel tracks with downmixing 5.1 to stereo files.
AuI ConverteR has several price/functionality options that allow saving your budget for the required functionality. You can expand Modula-R abilities later by purchasing new modules. Unlimited-time license, major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x > ... versions) are paid.
* All prices on this page are in U.S. dollars without V.A.T. and other applicable taxes and fees. The prices are recommended. Information on this page is not a public offer.
[MINIMUM PRICE] for full functionality of AuI ConverteR, in comparison with Modula-R edition that is including all modules.
![ALL-OPTIONS are included [PROduce-RD edition]](/soft/images/full-functionality2.png)
Decription
All abilities are included in PROduce-RD version. It allows saving budget, comparing purchasing of the full abilities (all modules) of Modula-R edition. Unlimited-time license, paid major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x ...).
[MINIMUM PRICE] configuration for downmix [5.1/5.0 to stereo]
FLAC, WAV, AIFF, other PCM (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, 32 bit float)
to
FLAC, WAV, AIFF, mp3, other PCM (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, 32 bit float) [consists of 2 modules]
![Downmix PCM audio files [Modula-R edition]](/soft/images/pcm-downmix.png)
Decription
The configuration allows downmix multichannel PCM audio files to stereo.
Read the user manual...
The configuration abilities may be expanded by purchasing other modules.
Unlimited-time license, paid major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x ...).
[RECOMMENDED] configuration for downmix [5.1/5.0 to stereo]
DSF/DFF (up to DSD128), FLAC, WAV, AIFF, mp3, other PCM (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, 32 bit float)
to
DSF/DFF (up to DSD128), FLAC, WAV, AIFF, mp3, other PCM (up to 192 kHz, 24 bit, 32 bit float) [consists of 2 modules]
![Downmix DSD audio files [Modula-R edition]](/soft/images/dsd-file-downmix.png)
Decription
The configuration allows downmix multichannel DSD audio files to stereo.
Read the user manual...
The configuration abilities may be expanded by purchasing other modules.
Unlimited-time license, paid major updates (... 10.x > 11.x > 12.x ...).
You can switch 5.1 to stereo this way...
Stereo and multichannel audio is designed for spatial positioning of sound source. If you play 5.1 on a stereo device, 6 channels of source file are downmixed to 2 one. The positioning abilities are reduced.
There are many ways how to downmix. But, there is no scientifically exact way to convert 5.1 audio to stereo.
Read about spatial positioning in home audio here...
January 14, 2023 updated | since May 27, 2017
