[geeks] Audio Channel Identification

[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

On Tue, Sep 18, 2007 at 10:30:02PM -0400, Sridhar Ayengar wrote:
> Anyone have an audio file that plays through each channel one at a time? 
>   I need to hook a subwoofer to my video editing rig, and I can't tell 
> which output is for the sub.  There's an output labeled 
> "Center/Subwoofer" in the manual, but I don't know if the "right 
> channel" side of the stereo pin is the sub, or if it's the "left 
> channel" side.

It may not be "stereo". Since true subwoffers are by nature mono, it
may just be the same as the center channel. At 20Hz or so, you can't
tell direction anyway.

Many subwoofers are really not, because of power line noise. Since there
is an abundance of 50/100 or 60/120 Hz noise (power line frequency and
it's first harmonic), many computer systems just cut out near 120 Hz.

Speakers that do reproduce sounds that low are often sold as "subwoofers".

Most likley if you but a package of a center speaker, a subwoofer and
"satellite" speakers,  The center speaker is the best, with no real
bass response, the subwoofer is really a standard woofer that goes to
around 30-50 Hz, and the right left speakers are not very good on their
own. 

Rear speakers are just for effects fill, not real listening.

Back in the days of quadraphonics, we used four matching speakers and
amps with four equal channels, but I expect those systems were gone
before you were born if you are under 35 or so.

If you can get a copy of the THX demo DVD, you can really check out
your system. Be sure to use a program that actually can decode multiple
channels if you use the computer to decode the sound.


Geoff.



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