Playing around with Surround Sound in FCP X, but how to monitor in real time?

I've been experimenting with the FCPX's surround features and was disappointed that I couldn't do any real time monitoring of the surround sound from FCPX when playing on the timeline. I'm connected via the optical out to a JVC SU-DH1 Dolby Headphone surround adapter which accepts TOSLINK support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027291

There is sound coming out via optical on playback on the timeline, but not digital surround. (It could be Dolby Pro logic, but I'm not sure.)

If I export the project formatted for AppleTV, and then play it via the VLC player, I can get digital surround playback. [The JVC indictor will light up that is indeed AC3 5.1 coming out of the Mac].

Anybody have any experiences? Is this is a limitation of a FCPX?

I'm not familiar with that adapter, but it seems to be for headphones only.

If your Mac has an HDMI or sound capable MiniDisplayport and HDMI adapter, you can monitor discrete 5.1 through a surround receiver.

Okay. So FCPX does not directly pass 5.1 AC3 via the optical output connection on the Mac? The 5.1 is only passed via HDMI to a receiver? That's disappointing.

I assume you're on a Mac Pro?
Is your Project timeline configure for surround sound audio?

zzchu wrote: Okay. So FCPX does not directly pass 5.1 AC3 via the optical output connection on the Mac? The 5.1 is only passed via HDMI to a receiver? That's disappointing.

The optical audio in the older Mac Pros only supports two discrete audio channels or an encoded 5.1 dolby digital signal. FCP X is spitting out discrete uncompressed audio during timeline playback so you would need an audio interface if you want to hear the individual channels on the fly.

A Decklink mini monitor card from Blackmagic would work well as they get along with FCP X for audio sync during playback. At $150 and handles eight channels of embedded audio it's a great deal.

I understand not all Macs support 5.1 from the toslink output.

AC-3 is a compression codec for multichannel sound. AFAIK, FCPX would not output 5.1 in AC-3 form. However, it will replay 5.1 if that's what is in the timeline - it's a question of getting your mac to pass it to the outside world. A multichannel sound card/audio interface would be able to do the DA conversion.

(Wot Darren said while I was typing)

Thanks for the clarification! I actually Googled this question but did not get a definitive answer.

I need a card if I want to monitor this on the fly. Otherwise, I would have to render out a movie to do a sound check and hear the discrete channels.

Of course, after posting this question I just now found a great post on an external site with the same information you have responded with above.

forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=18578417&postcount=2

I'm too looking to mix surround sound in FCP
Does anyone know if possible and how to get 5.1 surround to a headset?
Thanks

I have done many projects in 5.1 Surround and not had any issues. However, for 5.1 monitoring I have been inexpensive USB audio interfaces (like less than <$50) and I have used analog 5.1 speakers, not optical.

Audio output will be largely plug it in and it works, however, launch Auido Midi Setup for more control. You'll see the channel of your output device and then you can configure your speakers accordingly.

I'm at home at moment at not at my studio, but here are some screen shots to give you an idea:

Back at the office. Here is one of the surround interfaces looks like:

Is there any headphone you recommend for 5.1 or do I have to use 6 speakers?

I use the 6 speaker setup. The very nature of surround sound would lead me to believe that it would only be a simulation in headphones, at best. Regardless, I try to have a setup as close as possible to the venue. When doing broadcast work I don't just mix on my JBL studio monitors but also give a listen thought the LCD TV speakers. When doing a project for a theater i was fortune enough to get a bit of time to test, and boy was it different being in the theater that my studio, and depending on where you are sitting in the theater things are very different. In that vein I can't imagine mixing surround with headphones as it is radically different from how your audience with experience your mix.

Regarding the link you shared to that headphone amp, it says in the description "It features Dolby headphone technology to provide 5.1ch surround sound through any set of headphones. " So if I read this correctly it is mixing down to stereo and providing a simulation.

With this SB Live box plugged into the USB, you can get real time monitoring from Final Cut Pro X? Can you tell me which model you have?

Actually, any USB surround sound interface for the Mac will work and give you real time feedback from FCPX. Just make sure you have the type of outputs you want:

I don't think the soundblaster is still available, but I have a couple of these as well:

www.amazon.com/Sabrent-USB-SND8-8-Channe...s=usb+surround+sound

These things sound good and for the price, much less than a PCI card, and worth playing around with.

Do you know if it will output 5.1 via the optical or only via the L,R, C, LS, RS, LFE outputs while playing from FCPX?

Don't know about surround in optical, I don't have an optical equipment, but the plugs are there.

Here is what it says on the back of the box (I ordered 2 of these and only opened one)

Just to add to the mix :lol:
I just got a Focusrite 18i20 USB audio interface. It shows up in Audio Midi Set Up and in FCPX shows up for input/output. The Scarlet Mix Control allows you to route to multi-speaker outputs.
So adding an interface that allows 5.1 should work.
Hope this helps, Greg

Here is second screenshot

Hope this helps, Greg