Musical score in a movie: a sound stage image problem?

[FargateOne]

Maybe it is not the right forum to ask . I hope that I will express myself clearly. I always have a problem when I watch a movie, either at home or in a theater. For me I always thought that the musical score (not dialogue or the surrounds effects) of a movie should becoming from the front left and right speakers as a stereo image . In my system, and often in a theater, the musical score seems to come mostly from the right side, the orchestra seems for 60% to the front right area and the remaining 40% from the satellite speakers . I would like to know if there is a standard in the industry when sound ingeneers are mixing the musical score on a blu-ry for a 7.1 system? When I listen music in stereo the SS&I is very good, but in a movie the music seems to shift to the right. ... Or should I see a psychiatrist?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Hmm. Perhaps @Michael Scott will chime in here... but I don't think I've ever noticed what you're referencing. Have you used an SPL to level match output of your L and R speakers at your MLP?

 

[FargateOne]

Yes, all satellites are level matched at 75dB. I can EQ with 10 filters the sub and the speakers. I use Rew to found filters and set them manually in my receiver. I know that equing frequencies higher than the Schroeder frequency of my room could cause shifting in SS&I. I don't know where it is for me. I put the same filters to left and right speakers above 1k Hz. But, this being aside, I'd like to know if there is a standard for the industry with the musical score of a movie. Is it stereo? Or Is it recorded for 7.1 or 5.1 system like a SACD?

 

[Michael Scott]

to my knowledge there is no written in stone industry standard, but yes, most scores are mixed in 5.1 and 7.1 ala SACD and DVD-A

the part about the score coming from the right side of the room even in theaters makes me suspicious of an anomaly in year ears. I know I have hearing damage in my right ear and it sometimes shifts surround activity to the left of the room for me. a slight quirk I've had to deal with ever since I was young and dumb and didn't use hearing protection when I went to concerts

 

[FargateOne]

to my knowledge there is no written in stone industry standard, but yes, most scores are mixed in 5.1 and 7.1 ala SACD and DVD-A

the part about the score coming from the right side of the room even in theaters makes me suspicious of an anomaly in year ears. I know I have hearing damage in my right ear and it sometimes shifts surround activity to the left of the room for me. a slight quirk I've had to deal with ever since I was young and dumb and didn't use hearing protection when I went to concerts

I have damage at my left ear (3 kHz to 5kHz) more than my right ear for the same fr. So maybe it is the problem. I was afraid that it would the case! Happy to know that I am not alone! But, when I listen music cd in stereo mode (left and right front speakers set to large, no sub, no eq,) SS&I is good.!?

 

[Michael Scott]

I have damage at my left ear (3 kHz to 5kHz) more than my right ear for the same fr. So maybe it is the problem. I was afraid that it would the case! Happy to know that I am not alone! But, when I listen music cd in stereo mode (left and right front speakers set to large, no sub, no eq,) SS&I is good.!?

I honestly can't say for certain, but it could be a mix of ear issues AND room correction issues in the surrounds maybe? Honestly, I'm just guessing at this point as I can't say for certain

 

[Todd Anderson]

I think the presentation of musical scores definitely varies... I'm sure there are plenty of scenarios where the score comes from speakers other than the left and right channels. The intensity/loudness isn't the same, but it's happening.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I have damage at my left ear (3 kHz to 5kHz) more than my right ear for the same fr. So maybe it is the problem. I was afraid that it would the case! Happy to know that I am not alone! But, when I listen music cd in stereo mode (left and right front speakers set to large, no sub, no eq,) SS&I is good.!?

Your hearing loss could also explain what you're hearing. Although, your right ear (and how the brain uses the information coming into it) should technically be used to help balance things out! Do you have a hearing aid? If so, have you tried using it while watching films?

 

[FargateOne]

Your hearing loss could also explain what you're hearing. Although, your right ear (and how the brain uses the information coming into it) should technically be used to help balance things out! Do you have a hearing aid? If so, have you tried using it while watching films?

No I don't have hearing aid. Like I said, in stereo for music, speakers set to large and no sub (my room is also treated by diy panels for first reflexions and in part with bass trap) the SS&I sounds good, even very good.

I think the presentation of musical scores definitely varies... I'm sure there are plenty of scenarios where the score comes from speakers other than the left and right channels. The intensity/loudness isn't the same, but it's happening.

Even I know that my hearing dammage can be the culprit, when I go to theater, I noticed than the music score is not always at the same place. Sometimes it seems far right (then I accuse my ears) and sometimes it is more balanced in the center (I choose my place in the theater in the middle to be sure too).

 

[FargateOne]

I honestly can't say for certain, but it could be a mix of ear issues AND room correction issues in the surrounds maybe? Honestly, I'm just guessing at this point as I can't say for certain

Since your commentaries, I reconsidered my EQ. Specially, whith Floyd Toole comments about why EQ could be bad for room above Schroeder fr limit. I put all filter above 200Hz to 0 more importantly those filters for 12550Hz, 1800Hz and 2200 Hz. It helps a lot.
Secondly, I rechecked the SPL and gain for each channels for 75dB. I usually run test tones pink noise from Rew and measure with Umik-1 mic. If I run test tones of the receiver, there is differences in SPL for the center channel (2 dB less) and the surrounds (1 or 2 dBs for each sides). I don't konw or understand why, but the fact is there: SS&I is better if I set gains after running test tones from the receiver.