In a natural setting, humans perceive sound directionally. This means that human ears can differentiate sounds coming from different directions. The ears are specialized to perform this function. Sound reproduced from a recorded source using speakers usually does not have this capability, because the sound is being reproduced from distinct points (the speakers). Surround sound was a technique developed to be similar to sound produced in the real world. It also intended to provide sound with speakers around an audience. The original sound would also have to be recorded by using a microphone placed in spaces similar to the speakers. This would create the illusion of space and gives the sensation of being immersed in sound. As an example, if you are recording the sounds of a person’s footsteps going from the left of a room to the right, then using two microphones placed at opposite ends will record the sound moving from left to right. The footsteps will be loud in the left microphone in the beginning and become quieter in the left and grow in the right as the person walks toward the right. When playing back the recorded sound, two speakers, one placed to the left and one to the right, will play separate sounds. The left speaker will play the sounds recorded by the left microphone and the right speaker will play the sounds recorded by the right microphone, recreating the directional movement of sound. This technique can be upsized to include more channels (the example used two channels) to increase the directionality of sound.
There are two common types of Dolby surround sound: 5.1 and 7.1. Dolby 5.1 uses five satellite speakers and one subwoofer. Dolby 7.1 uses seven satellite speakers and one subwoofer. The satellite speakers surround the audience and the subwoofer is often situated in a corner.
Surround sound can be used to immerse the audience in a film or theater experience. It can place you, the audience member, at the center of the action. It can make the film come to life even more than it does on the screen. It can also give the sensation of objects going by and place in you in the scene itself.
By doing this, surround sound adds to the film or play experience by making it more intense. By bringing the sound closer to the reality of the work, surround sound engages the audience directly and focuses all their attention on the film or play. In this way, it can enhance the film and theater experience.
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