Using a 5.1-channel track with no panner

[jaa108]

If I load a 5.1-channel track into Audition and export to a 5.1-channel .WAV file, the output has sound only in the from L and R tracks (the other 4 tracks are present but silent).  I can use the panner to direct the source 5.1 channels to other output tracks and that works, but how do I simply turn the panner off?  I just want all the input channels to map as-is to output channels.

I'm not trying to modify the surround mix, just do some basic time-line editing of existing 5.1-channel content.  I can do this in Premiere and the straight-through mapping of channels is the default behaviour but in Audition it doesn't even seem to be an option.  Am I missing something obvious in the Audition panner settings or am I stuck with using Premiere?

[SteveG_AudioMasters_ · Accepted solution]

I don't think you can do this, and it does appear to be a bit of a limitation, I'd agree. The only way that I'm aware that you can do a simple edit on multichannel files without altering any levels (and this goes for any number of channels) is to do it in Waveform view, where it works fine. And for a simple edit, it's not that limiting; you can put fades on, and use effects as well if you want. But, it's non-linear so if you want to go back and change anything after the event, you have to save intermediate versions.

[jaa108]

Thanks Steve.  I'm just glad I wasn't missing something obvious.  I'll make a feature request.

[Guest · Accepted solution]

You need to create a 5.1 track within the 5.1 multitrack session... the panner will then be absent and all channels will be output.   This is severely broken behavior IMO but it's how things have to be done for now.  I have no idea why the 5.1 multitrack tracks are stereo by default.