How to link 6 mono tracks as 5.1 to make a DCP in Resolve

When preparing Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs), you may encounter video files that contain separate mono audio tracks. This is common with 5.1 surround sound mixes, which typically arrive as six individual mono tracks in 24-bit, 48 kHz WAV format.

There are two methods to combine these mono tracks into a proper 5.1 surround sound configuration for your DCP:

1. Using Fairlight
   You can link six separate mono tracks into a single 5.1 surround sound timeline track using Fairlight’s audio tools. This method gives you precise control over each channel’s placement and configuration.
2. Direct Import in DaVinci Resolve 18.6
   The latest version of DaVinci Resolve offers a streamlined approach – you can directly import the audio files as a complete 5.1 track. This method is particularly useful because it allows you to immediately run loudness checks on the combined audio, ensuring your final DCP meets industry specifications.
   For detailed instructions on this method, check out this post

Add the 6 mono track to the timeline

Go to the Edit module

Make 6 mono audio tracks

Right-click on the first audio track
Change Track Type To – Mono

Right-click and
Add Track – Mono
5 times

Import the tracks to the media pool

Drag the tracks to the media pool

Add the tracks

Drag the 6 mono audio files in the correct order to the tracks

1=L
2=R
3=C
4=LFE
5=LS
6=RS

Link the tracks as 5.1 in Fairlight

Switch to Fairlight

Make a 5.1 bus

(Optional)

Choose Fairlight in the menu

Bus format

Format = 5.1

Link the tracks

Fairlight in the menu – Link Group
Click on all the tracks

and choose

Link as = 5.1

Check the tracks

Go back to the Edit module and check that the tracks are correct.
They are now labeled:
L
R
C
LFE
Ls
Rs

Make the DCP

Go to the deliver pane and render the DCP the same way you would normally do.

See this Resolve post for more info. Or read my ebook.

Choose DCP – Kakadu

Audio
Output Track 1 = Timeline Track
Track number = 1 5.1