Nugen Audio has released an update to its Halo Downmix software that expands its compatibility to allow for more flexibility and collaboration across different project types. In this article, we have all the detail on the new features introduced in Halo Downmix 1.3 as well as advise on how correct delays introduced in legacy upmixing practices.
Legacy Upmixing practices - Correcting Delay With Halo Downmix
Although it isn’t a new feature, we thought this would be a good opportunity to explain Halo Downmix’s delay correction; how it works, and why you might need it.
What Is Upmixing
Broadly speaking, the term “upmixing” can be used to describe any process where audio is promoted from one lower channel count up to another, higher channel count. Most commonly, you would probably be upmixing from stereo to 5.1, but as time goes on many more complex audio formats are becoming commonplace too.
Dedicated upmixing tools haven’t been around for very long in the grand scheme of things, so in many cases when an engineer only had access to a stereo bounce (rather than individual stems), they would have had to improvise in order to create a pseudo “5.1” mix using delay, reverb and chorus effects.
Not All Upmixing Tools Are The Same
Upmixing tools which take into account downmix compatibility and phase coherence, such as Halo Upmix, are an even more recent development. So sometimes, even upmixes, which were created using a dedicated tool may not be entirely fold-down-safe, especially if they were upmixed more than a couple of years ago.
How To Use The Delay Correction In Halo Downmix
The delay correction in Halo Downmix is designed to reverse the damaging effects of these legacy upmixing practices, ensuring your mix is phase coherent and avoiding nasty smearing effects.
Click the ‘Seek’ button within Halo Downmix whilst your audio is playing, and the plug-in will measure and automatically calculate the amount of delay in the side channels. Then, all you need to do is enable the ‘Delay’ function, and your downmix should be brought back into phase.
If the automatically calculated delay time doesn’t sound quite right to you, of course, this can be tweaked and fine-tuned until you hit the sweet spot!
New Output Options In Halo Downmix
Nugen has broadened the plug-in’s channel count support, making it now capable of downmixing from 7.1 and 5.1 to 7.0, 6.1, 6.0, 5.1, 5.0 and 4.0, as well as LCR and stereo. There is also an optional 3D extension that supports downmixing from 7.1.2. This now makes Halo Downmix capable of supporting the same channel arrangements as the company’s Halo Upmix.
What Is Nugen Audio Halo Downmix
Halo Downmix features multiple monitoring modes and downmix balancing, as well as quick mute and solo controls. The software also allows users to regulate LF content, maintain dialog clarity and control excess ambient energy. Use with the included Receive plug-in enables parallel surround/stereo workflows for A/B listening checks.
Additional features include the ability to mitigate unsatisfactory results of other standard downmix coefficients and adjust levels of individual channels and balance of direct versus diffuse sound.
Halo Downmix, which is included in both the Nugen Post bundle and Surround Suite packages, is designed to enable precise sound balancing, mix monitoring and stereo fold-down.
Nugen Audio Surround Suite - 20% Off Any Plugin In The Bundle Until August 21st 2020
To celebrate the release of the new Halo Downmix update, Nugen Audio is offering a 20% discount on any plug-ins from the Surround Suite bundle. This offer also includes 3D Immersive extensions for our Halo products, and the ISL DSP extension until August 21st 2020.