TL, DR;
We all are very aware how poorly AV Surround Preamps / Amplifiers perform under test. What if there was a way to bypass all that poor performance using professional gear?
This is a highly DIY approach, and as I haven’t actually tried it myself, it may not work. Please do NOT buy gear based on my thoughts to try this as you may NOT get the results you hope for. Also, I’ve NOT addressed getting video, Dolby Vision or similar, out of the system. I'm assuming something like a Mac Mini's HDMI output would suffice.
Minimum System Requirements:
— An Apple Mac
— Apple’s Logic Pro software
— Sufficient Input/Output channels to experiment with.
High-end dream system? Read on…
INSPIRATION
The inspiration for this idea was triggered by:
LOGIC PRO at the Heart of the system
Ok, the basics of the idea is to set up Logic Pro with as many input and output channels as needed and let it control everything.
So for example, for stereo inputs, allocate two channels for Safari sources (think Netflix, YouTube etc), two channels for iTunes / Apple Music, two channels for any other sources, such as sound in from your Smart TV (though not sure how best to capture a TV’s audio out, eARC or Toslink?). Of course if any of these sources support Dolby Atmos, then feel free to allocate up to 16 input channels each. Go ahead, Logic doesn’t mind.
Any stereo input can in theory be upmixed using the Logic Atmos plug-in. All inputs, whether stereo upmixed or full Atmos, would be sent to the main 16-channel output ‘Bus’ for final volume control. (https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/logicpro/lgcp8e75f0b5/mac)
Then set up however many output channels make sense in your situation. Here I’m relying on the notion that we will be able to use Logic to ‘Downmix’ the Dolby Atmos channels to our actual surround channel reality.
Remember, this is professional level software so each channel can have as detailed EQ and delay time controls as required. Need High-pass or Low-pass filters, easy! Need Four x 16 = 64 input channels, piece of cake! The level of control possible is huge. But so is the resulting complexity that goes with it.
To aid in all this channel mapping, something like Dante’s Via software for multi-channel routing into and out of Logic Pro might help (https://www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-via)
Then it’s a case of hooking up one’s input/output Audio interfaces to connect Logic Pro to the real world.
MacOS has the ability to create a ‘Virtual Audio Interface’, so we could cascade as many USB interfaces as we have to hand. I have MiniDSP, SMSL and Matrix-Digi stereo DACs, so could I create a 5.1 output mix with what I already have. I also have Logic Pro with all the Atmos plugins, but haven't yet attempted to try out this idea.
A HIGH-END EXAMPLE
As an example of starting from scratch with professional gear, I’ve used Sweetwaters as a trusted source, but you could find the same on Amazon if preferred. Assuming buying from scratch, going for a full 16 balanced channel output Atmos configuration and at the upper end of the price spectrum:
Misc pro XLR / TRS balanced cables to hook up powered speakers or balanced amps, and ethernet cables to hook up the Dante components would be needed.
MAKING IT WORK
Shopping is the easy part. As is using what one has to hand, though not as much fun.
The hard part is figuring out how to make all this work seamlessly, and I admit while this SHOULD work in theory, there’s no guarantee it will in practise.
Setting up Logic Pro as the heart of one’s AV system is not for the faint of heart. Having the Rednet R1 in theory makes input selection and overall volume control easy, I have no idea how challenging it would be in practise. For example, could it also trigger switching of video sources?
In short, I don’t know how to go about doing this, but thought sharing the idea might inspire someone with Logic to have a go and report back.
Anyway, idea shared.
- What if we could configure Apple’s Logic Pro to be your Surround Preamp-Processor (including up/down mixing);
- Control input selection and output levels via Focusrite’s Rednet R1 controller; and
- Send the input/output channels wherever you need via Dante?
We all are very aware how poorly AV Surround Preamps / Amplifiers perform under test. What if there was a way to bypass all that poor performance using professional gear?
This is a highly DIY approach, and as I haven’t actually tried it myself, it may not work. Please do NOT buy gear based on my thoughts to try this as you may NOT get the results you hope for. Also, I’ve NOT addressed getting video, Dolby Vision or similar, out of the system. I'm assuming something like a Mac Mini's HDMI output would suffice.
Minimum System Requirements:
— An Apple Mac
— Apple’s Logic Pro software
— Sufficient Input/Output channels to experiment with.
High-end dream system? Read on…
INSPIRATION
The inspiration for this idea was triggered by:
- Apple’s Logic Pro mixing / mastering software NOW supports Dolby Atmos, including Up / Down surround mixing! This is NEW.
- Focusrite’s Rednet R1got me drooling! PoE over a single ethernet cable, a contender for the centre piece of a top notch system.
- Focusrite’s Rednet components are top line pro studio gear and in theory offer exceptional performance. Of course subject to actually being tested by ASR! (https://pro.focusrite.com/category/audiooverip)
- Dante (https://www.audinate.com/)
- Yep, the defacto Audio over IP / Ethernet standard. A surprisingly simple way to route audio (and now video) between components and apps.
LOGIC PRO at the Heart of the system
Ok, the basics of the idea is to set up Logic Pro with as many input and output channels as needed and let it control everything.
So for example, for stereo inputs, allocate two channels for Safari sources (think Netflix, YouTube etc), two channels for iTunes / Apple Music, two channels for any other sources, such as sound in from your Smart TV (though not sure how best to capture a TV’s audio out, eARC or Toslink?). Of course if any of these sources support Dolby Atmos, then feel free to allocate up to 16 input channels each. Go ahead, Logic doesn’t mind.
Any stereo input can in theory be upmixed using the Logic Atmos plug-in. All inputs, whether stereo upmixed or full Atmos, would be sent to the main 16-channel output ‘Bus’ for final volume control. (https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/logicpro/lgcp8e75f0b5/mac)
Then set up however many output channels make sense in your situation. Here I’m relying on the notion that we will be able to use Logic to ‘Downmix’ the Dolby Atmos channels to our actual surround channel reality.
Remember, this is professional level software so each channel can have as detailed EQ and delay time controls as required. Need High-pass or Low-pass filters, easy! Need Four x 16 = 64 input channels, piece of cake! The level of control possible is huge. But so is the resulting complexity that goes with it.
To aid in all this channel mapping, something like Dante’s Via software for multi-channel routing into and out of Logic Pro might help (https://www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-via)
Then it’s a case of hooking up one’s input/output Audio interfaces to connect Logic Pro to the real world.
MacOS has the ability to create a ‘Virtual Audio Interface’, so we could cascade as many USB interfaces as we have to hand. I have MiniDSP, SMSL and Matrix-Digi stereo DACs, so could I create a 5.1 output mix with what I already have. I also have Logic Pro with all the Atmos plugins, but haven't yet attempted to try out this idea.
A HIGH-END EXAMPLE
As an example of starting from scratch with professional gear, I’ve used Sweetwaters as a trusted source, but you could find the same on Amazon if preferred. Assuming buying from scratch, going for a full 16 balanced channel output Atmos configuration and at the upper end of the price spectrum:
Apple Mac Mini | US$699 | https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/mac-mini |
Apple Logic Pro | US$199 | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/logic-pro-x/id634148309?mt=12 |
Audinate Dante Via | US$60 | https://www.audinate.com/products/software/dante-via |
Focusrite’s Rednet R1 Controller | US$1,000 | https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-desktop-remote-controller-for-red-interfaces |
Focusrite RedNet A16R MkII 16x16 Dante Audio Interface | US$3,600 | https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-rednet-a16r-mkii-16x16-dante-audio-interface |
Up to Four DB25 to XLR (male or female) or TRS breakout snakes for the RedNet A16R | from 4x US$78 | https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=DB-25+snake |
Up to Four XLR /TRS Patch-bays to ‘expose’ the balanced connectors for easy front access | from 4x US$100 | https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=xlr+patchbay |
A nice Rack mount case (6U minimum) to house all the Pro gear | from US$45 | https://www.sweetwater.com/c685--Studio_Equipment_Racks |
EXAMPLE TOTAL | US$6,315 |
Misc pro XLR / TRS balanced cables to hook up powered speakers or balanced amps, and ethernet cables to hook up the Dante components would be needed.
MAKING IT WORK
Shopping is the easy part. As is using what one has to hand, though not as much fun.
The hard part is figuring out how to make all this work seamlessly, and I admit while this SHOULD work in theory, there’s no guarantee it will in practise.
Setting up Logic Pro as the heart of one’s AV system is not for the faint of heart. Having the Rednet R1 in theory makes input selection and overall volume control easy, I have no idea how challenging it would be in practise. For example, could it also trigger switching of video sources?
In short, I don’t know how to go about doing this, but thought sharing the idea might inspire someone with Logic to have a go and report back.
Anyway, idea shared.