Effectively using 5.1 Surround sound

[Syko360]

My idea for the game is, when you switch the audio to 5.1 all the parts should split to their own speaker. Like the Guitar from the front left, The vocals from the center speaker, the Bass on the right side. and the drums out of the rear.

Now this would have it's obvious problems of making it not sound together. But with proper mixing it would be a lot better to be able to hear your part louder on the speaker closest to you. So even if all the speakers still played all the parts, your part would be the loudest on whatever speaker is nearest to you.

I see most people setting up according to the parts on the screen with Guitar on left drums in back\front middle, and bass on right. with the lead singer wherever he\she is not in the way getting yelled at! :D

[Xzyliac]

My guess is the sound is arranged and mixed like the speakers at a concert.

[IOIHUMMERIOI]

This would be interesting, but I could see so many people complain about this. I'd say a good 80% of 5.1 (or higher) surround system owners have their system completely hooked up wrong. Let me be more specific, they don't take the time to calibrate their system, or properly set it up (speaker distances, phases, etc.). Some would complain the back channels would too loud, too soft, (where are the drums???) and say that Harmonix did a terrible job. If encoded right, and decoded on a calibrated system, this would work great. What scared me is that 40 minute video on GameSpot where that microphone was distorting beyond recognition. Hopefully that won't run too hot.

Anyway, I'll be interested to see if Harmonix gives us a calibration option where you can set your own stage. For single player, or multiplayer (online only) where you are the only one playing an instrument in the room, the center channel could be used as a monitor, where the rest is just the band, computer and online players.

[Syko360]

I know what you mean Hummer, I had a friend that was always talking up his house as the best place to watch surround sound movies. When I finally got to checking out his system he had no digital cord hooked up to his digital amp. He was still using a standard Red\White audio cord. So yeah while people with more money than brains might complain, it could be a killer addition to this already great game.

I just hate when I am playing Guitar Hero 2 with my wife on Co-op and she blames booting the multiplier on not being able to hear her part and that my part was to loud...LOL, that is why we will never get the 1 million co-op :rolleyes:

[Electric_Zen]

I think Harmonix will do a great job with the 5.1 sound mix. Of course, they did a lot of left/right separation for the two parts in Guitar Hero II, but they can really go for broke here. Imagine the drum sounds shifting from rear right to rear left as you roll across a fill.

[Supergeek]

I just hate when I am playing Guitar Hero 2 with my wife on Co-op and she blames booting the multiplier on not being able to hear her part and that my part was to loud...LOL, that is why we will never get the 1 million co-op :rolleyes:

Haha! I was tapping my guitar once in time with the music while my wife was playing, and she complained because I was "messing her up." Wives... :rolleyes:

[Supergeek]

To comment on the original poster's idea, I think it would be cool if we could configure the instruments per channel. It shouldn't be too hard to add that as an option, either.

[IOIHUMMERIOI]

To comment on the original poster's idea, I think it would be cool if we could configure the instruments per channel. It shouldn't be too hard to add that as an option, either.

I think that would be cool as well. I might have to do a custom mode on my pre-pro to adjust accordingly for this game. "Rock Band" mode. LOL!

[sa_nick]

I hated how the guitar and bass were split in GH, and don't want to see a similar thing happen in Rock Band.

It'd be nice is they did some subtle mixing for the 5.1 sound though.