Sound 360

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Sound 360 left, center, right and surround channel speaker placement layout Dynaquad channels surround sound.svg
Sound 360 left, center, right and surround channel speaker placement layout

Sound 360 was the name of a motion picture sound system used by 20th Century-Fox to enhance the premiere engagements of their 1977 feature Damnation Alley . [1] [2] [3]

The format employed the standard 35mm magnetic stereo soundtracks (left, center, right and surround) in a unique configuration. The center channel was directed to the usual behind-the-screen loudspeaker. The left and right channels were redirected to a pair of large full-range speakers mounted on either side of the auditorium. The surround channel was reproduced by a single full-range speaker mounted in the back. [4] The general effect was more enveloping (and often much louder) than a standard 35mm stereo presentation, and very similar to the Megasound process unveiled a few years later by Warner Bros. for the film Altered States . In addition to Damnation Alley, the film Damien: Omen II was also released in the Sound 360 process.

See also

References

  1. Barratt, Adam (2004). "Movie Sound Chronology". SpannerWorks DVD and Home Theatre. Archived from the original on March 11, 2005.
  2. "Damnation Alley". AFI Catalog. 2024. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  3. Koll, Leonard (December 1977). "The 20th Century-Fox "SOUND 360" System". American Cinematographer. Vol. 58, no. 12. p. 1257.
  4. McGee, Marty (2010). Encyclopedia of Motion Picture Sound. McFarland. p. 228. ISBN   978-0-7864-4916-3.