Angry Audio nCircl Stereo audio to 5.1 Upmixing software User Guide

USER GUIDE nCircl
Stereo audio to 5.1 Upmixing software

Overview

Immersive audio. Everyone is talking about it. Surround sound really enhances the enjoyment of films, games and television. Dialog and sound effects become realistic, soundtracks envelop the viewer. And there’s really nothing quite like being in the middle of thousands of screaming fans cheering your favorite team… in your living room. No question, immersive audio adds impact to the visual experience.

But what about music? Good question. There is a modest catalog of music that has been mixed and released in surround, specifically 5.1 format. 5.1 is made up of five speakers arranged around the listener plus a subwoofer. Many music enthusiasts with 5.1 listening setups consider this to be the ideal listening environment. Once you experience a favorite album in surround, you’ll want to hear all your music the same way. But you can’t. Because the vast majority of music recordings are only available in stereo.

There are software apps that can convert a stereo track into a surround track. These products are called upmixers. By creating a simulated surround mix from a stereo source, upmixers are a useful tool for television broadcasters. For music though, the results have been mostly disappointing. Most upmixers use perceptual tricks to simulate the surround effect. Phase shift, delay, reverb and equalization are used to create the extra channels. The result is often more gimmick than good.
So we were pretty skeptical when we heard about the new DejaVu upmixing technology from Frank Foti’s new company, Syndicate of Sounds. C’mon Frank, hasn’t this been tried a bunch of times already? Then we heard it and became instant fans. This is truly something new and different from everything that went before. Frank has been traveling the world demonstrating it to musicians, producers, engineers and enthusiasts. The response has been universal praise. One famous producer quipped, “all upmixers are crap, until now.”
Frank Foti is well known within the broadcasting industry for his digital audio processing innovations. Those who know Frank personally know that he is a huge fan of 5.1 audio recordings. And that he has often lamented the scarcity of available material. Okay, we all felt that way, but unlike the rest of us, Frank actually has the skills to do something about it. He’s been developing DejaVu for several years and says it’s finally ready. We agree! We’ve been listening nonstop and nearly everything sounds like it was mixed for 5.1. This is not your father’s upmixer.
Angry Audio has licensed this exciting new technology and built nCircl upmixing software. Scroll to the bottom of the page and download either the MacOS version or the Windows version. Each download contains VST and AU plugins to work in your favorite DAW. Also included is a standalone app if you don’t use a DAW host. Make sure your machine is configured to play 6 audio outputs mapped to the correct speakers.
And though created especially for music, nCircl works brilliantly on all stereo content. Film producers, television broadcasters, even radio stations and online streamers will find it invaluable. And 5.1 music lovers? Oh, you’re going to be very happy indeed. Rediscover your entire music collection by playing everything through nCircl. You’ll likely binge listen for weeks. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Installation

Before you begin, you’re going to need a few things. A very fast and modern computer with a recent OS. nCircl will demand a lot of resources so don’t try to starve it to death on an old Pentium III running Windows 95. If you get any results at all, it will not be pleasant.
You will also need to make sure your computer is configured to support at least 6 channels of audio outputs. Some computers have 5.1 outputs on their motherboards. Others will require a multichannel USB (or similar) interface. You will need to set up the audio outputs prior to installing nCircl. Follow the instructions for your audio interface.
Go to the nCircl product page, scroll to the bottom and select one of the downloads, either MacOS or Windows depending on your machine. Download it to your computer. Launch the Installer and follow the prompts.
Demo Mode
Please install the program in demo mode to make sure it is working properly before you purchase. Without a license key, the program is fully functional. Audition nCircl first before you buy. Until the license key is installed, the program will run (all features are active) but will insert 5 seconds of silence every 45 seconds. This will allow you to evaluate the product before you lay out your hardearned cash.
And if you love it, the silent seconds will be a quiet reminder that you need to buy the license. Easy. Sometimes we are asked if we will issue a temporary key that removes the silence for demonstration. We do not offer this. The only unpaid demo mode available is installing the program and using it unlicensed.
Formats
During the installation, you will be prompted to install the standalone or plug- ins. In MacOS, you will choose between Standalone, VST and AU. In Windows, choose between Standalone and VST. If you are using a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), you will already be familiar with VST and/or AU plug ins. If not, just install the Standalone application.
Or if you wish, you can install everything. The installer will place the app and the plugins in the proper system folders. When you purchase the license and enter your key code, all formats will be licensed for that machine.
Authorization
When opening nCircl for the first time, it will be in Demo Mode (noted in the bottom left corner of the plugin, in red font). Demo mode will insert 5 seconds of silence every 45 seconds. To fully activate the plugin, enter the Serial Number that was sent in an email upon purchase.

Uninstall nCircl:

To uninstall nCircl, do the following:
macOs:
Delete the VST3 and AU plug-ins at the following locations:
AU: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/
VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/
Finally, delete this folder and all of its contents:
/Library/Application Support/AngryAudio/nCircl/
Windows:
Delete the VST3 plug-in at the following location:
VST3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
Delete the standalone app:
C:\Program Files\AngryAudio\nCircl

Using nCircl

Using nCircl:

Standalone

• The standalone application will be installed to your Applications folder on macOS, and ProgramFiles/AngryAudio on Windows, also with the option of creating a desktop shortcut

Plugin (DAW)

• Set the audio device of your DAW to a 5.1 format output
• Add the plugin to the track of your choice. For many users, this would be the master track. This could transform a DAW’s standard stereo processing for your project into a 5.1 surround experience.
• The plugin will alter the audio of that track to a 5.1 output via the selected routing

Basic controls

• Minimize, close, resize buttons
• Bypass: will disable the effects of this software on an audio signal
• Options window (in standalone) – change audio device settings. Be sure to set output to a 5.1 compatible device

• LINK function: will connect the values of two sliders so that they are identical. Takes effect when one of the sliders is moved after LINK is turned on

Navigating nCircl
nCircl is split into 3 main sections:

1. Input: allows the user to monitor and manipulate the stereo input signal
2. Surround Scope: visualizes the 5.1 audio that is generated by nCircl’s processing
3. Output: allows the user to monitor and manipulate each channel of 5.1 audio generated by nCircl’s processing

Input

• Adjust gain of left and right channels of input signal. LINK functionality available for these 2 channels
• Meters to represent current signal levels in each channel
• Peak level display shows peak decibel level of signal during playback – this value can be reset by clicking the display

Surround Scope

• Visualizes the level of signal (in dB) being sent to each of the 5.1 channels
• Placement of channels on the graph mimics optimal placement of speakers in a 5.1 surround sound system
• When no signal is currently being output, there will only be the background of the graph visible
• The further out the light grey area reaches in a given direction, the higher amplitude the signal in that channel is

Output

• Adjust gain, view levels, and monitor peaks of the different channels of the 5.1 audio
• Gain sliders and related buttons/displays function similarly to those in the Input section
• Ability to LINK levels of signal LF and RF together, as well as LS and RS

More questions? Contact us anytime. Thank you!
© Angry Audio 2022
DejaVu and Syndicate of Sounds are registered trademarks of TLS Corp.

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