Convert your MP3s to 5.1 surround  

You can easily convert your stereo mp3 or iTunes tracks to 5.1 music for a great surround experience.

Import them directly from your iTunes or Windows Media Player playlists, or from computer files. Convert them to a choice of surround formats compatible with your players, such as mp4/aac, wma, flac, A/52 files or music DVD discs.

Steps to convert audio tracks to 5.1 surround

Depending on your audio equipment setup, you can choose to export to computer files or to DVDs.

• If you listen to music on your computer, you will want to convert to 5.1 capable computer files - go to the Exporting to computer files tutorial section below.
• If you listen to your music on your home entertainment sytem, you likely will want to author music DVDs - go to the Exporting to DVDs tutorial section below.

Step 2 (a) : Click the Export button. Select the format you want to export to (e.g. aac/mp4) as shown below. Click Write to start processing. The processed files will be in the Export directory set in Settings, under the folder ExportDir_group1.

Exporting to computer files : if you favorites player is iTunes, export to aac/mp4 files which is the native format. For the Windows Media Player, the best format is wma. The suitable Cirlinca's application is HD-Audio Remaster (click to download).

Exporting to DVDs : for an home entertainment sytem without a 5.1 capable media player, the best solution is DVD as most systems include a DVD player. Repeat step 1 (a) above. Click the Export button. Select the DVD writer to write to and the speed as shown below. You have a choice of authoring to a DVD-Video disc, or a DVD-Audio, or a universal disc which is a combination of both in the DVD Settings tab. Click the Write button to start burning. The suitable Cirlinca's application is HD-Audio Solo Ultra (click to download).

Useful tips

After converting a file to 5.1 aac/mp4, you can import it back into the iTunes player to play it.

It will also play in the Quicktime player that is installed with iTunes.

After converting a file to 5.1 wma, you can import it back into the WMP player to play it.

It is also possible to avoid converting to a 5.1 file and use the build-in 5.1 player of Cirlinca's applications to listen to the 5.1 version which is directly converted from the stereo track. Simply select a stereo track, attach the V.I VST to it and click Play.

For an music + still video slideshow, consider the MKV file format, playable with the free VLC application.

If you export to DVD, you can include 20 pictures per track for a music slideshow.

You can enhance tracks by applying VST plug-in filters. E.g. to brighten the highs or deepen the bass. There is a broad choice of free or commercial VSTs at : Audiomastermind

KVR Audio

Step 1 (a) : Select the stereo track(s) you want to convert to 5.1. Drag & drop them in the center panel. Make sure that all the tracks you want to process are selected in the center panel. Attach to them the V.I VST plug-in that will convert to 5.1.