Overview: Channel layouts

Channel layouts specify the intended arrangement of a channel-based audio signal.

Mono, stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 describe different arrangements of signal components. The meaningful comparison includes their speaker roles as well as their count. These layout pages establish the intended presentation before downmixing, upmixing or headphone rendering changes that arrangement.

• Mono audio
  Mono audio uses one channel to carry a complete sound presentation.

• Stereo audio
  Stereo audio uses left and right channels to create a soundstage between two sides.

• 5.1 surround sound
  5.1 surround sound uses five main channels and a separate low-frequency-effects channel.

• 7.1 surround sound
  A common 7.1 layout uses seven main channels with separate side and rear surrounds, plus LFE.