Automatic Downmixing

The output in the first Direct Routing slot defines the channel width. Since the other destinations are positioned post-panner in the signal path, they have the same channel width to start with, and the signal needs to be converted accordingly by downmixing. Cubase does that automatically.

Note

Always select the output with the widest channel configuration in the first slot. It is not recommended to use a setup where the main output has fewer channels than the direct routing destination even though it is technically possible. Upmixing might lead to unexpected side effects.

When performing an automatic downmix from 5.1 to stereo, the levels are adjusted as follows:

Table 1. Automatic Downmixing from 5.1 to stereo
	L	R	C	Lfe	Ls	Rs
L	0.0		-3.01	-3.01	-6.02
R		0.0	-3.01	-3.01		-6.02

Center and Lfe signals are split into L and R channels, Ls and Rs are sent to L and R respectively, but reduced in volume.

When performing an automatic downmix from 7.1 Music (Dolby) to 5.1, the levels are adjusted as follows:

Table 2. Automatic Downmixing from 7.1 Music (Dolby) to 5.1
	L	R	C	Lfe	Ls	Rs	Sl	Sr
L	0.0						-3.01
R		0.0						-3.01
C			0.0
Lfe				0.0
Ls					0.0		-3.01
Rs						0.0		-3.01

Sl and Sr signals are split into L/R and Ls/Rs respectively, but reduced in volume.