Pro Tools Surround Sound Template for Film and TV
Want To Mix Like You Belong In A Dolby Stage? Start Here.
The fastest way to mix like a pro?
Use what the pros actually use.
This battle-tested Pro Tools template was built on real deadlines —for real gigs— with no room for error.
It's not just pre-routed. It's pre-tuned. Pre-balanced. Pre-configured to help you focus on the creative work instead of babysitting your session.
You'll get a seamless surround mix layout, pro dialogue chains, reverbs ready to send, stems grouped and labeled —so you can walk into any project and start working like a pro from frame one.
What's Inside The Template
A Surround-Sound Post-Audio Workflow
Tailored for film, broadcast, and streaming —including stereo and mono fold-downs that meet any spec deliverables you come across.
A Clean, Pre-Configured Dialogue Chain
So your tracks sound crisp and balanced before you start automating any EQ.
4 Versions of the Same Pro Layout
Using different plugin stacks
- Stock/Free
- Waves Audio
- Fabfilter
- McDSP
Pick your tools, mix and match as desired, and get to work.
4+ Hour Template Deep Dive
You're not just handed a template, you're shown how to use and know all the microscopic reasons behind every decision.
Why I Made This
I made this Pro Tools 5.1 Template for one reason: I was you.
I spent years —literal years— trying to figure out how to structure an immersive mix that actually worked.
I was piecing half-baked templates with outdated and confusing jargon from past teachers, mentors, Reddit, YouTube, and random forum posts... wasting hours re-routing tracks, guessing on busses, and burning out before I even got to edit and mix.
But after creating additional reverb sends and another "Audio 1.dup8" track when budding against a tight deadline, I realized something had to change.
So I built the session I always wished someone had handed me: organized, reliable, and ready to deliver cinematic sound without the tech headaches.
This template is that exact layout; battle-tested on tight deadlines and used on shows that aired on networks you've actually heard of. I made it because nobody should have to wast years fighting Pro Tools just to deliver a client-adored mix.
And because I know how tight money can be, I built four plugin versions —inlcuding one using only stock and free plugins— so you don't have to drop hundreds to sound like a pro.
If this template saves you even one night of frustration, or helps you land one gig you weren't sure you were ready for, then it's done its job.
I'm proud to share it with you —not just as a tool, but as the starting point I wish I had.
What Real Mixers Are Saying
"I finally feel like I'm mixing, not fighting the session. As someone who had to DIY their career, I no longer have routing headaches or second guess my creative moves. Now I just import the AAF and get to work. The results are night and day." - Paul
"Helped me deliver my first 5.1 Broadcast mix. I was weary of accepting my first surround sound gig. But Vanessa's walkthrough of how monitoring her stereo fold-downs ensures translation made me confident to proceed. Clients, QC, and I were very pleased with the results! So worth it" - Steve
"This should be standard for every Post Audio student. I wasted so much time building messy sessions during school. If I had this then, I'd be years ahead of where I am now." - Hafeed
"Vanessa understands what the people need. I love the Fabfilter versions, but the fact she anticipates what tools we might already have empowers everyone, especially when strapped for cash. She even included an ADHD trick to listen to music while working. She thinks of everything!" - Rascal
"The 2-hour templated deep dive is a masterclass in and of itself. This template has been super helpful for the indie feature I'm working on. The walkthrough made me much more confident that I'm making the right creative and technical moves." - Dom
"So well laid out and versatile. I've been getting more mixing gigs after primarily being a dialogue editor. Vanny's template is soooo efficient!" - Abby
Trusted by Mixers Working On:
- Broadcast unscripted television (HBO, Netflix, Discovery)
- Independent films and festival features
- Commercials, trailers, and promos
- YouTube creators stepping up their sound game
- First-time freelancers working on their first surround sound gigs
- Post Audio grads working on their first film
For Less Than a Plugin, You Get a Career-Level Upgrade
You could keep wasting time dragging files, routing manually, and hoping your session doesn’t explode on delivery day…
Or you could get the template that does the heavy lifting —so you can focus on crafting clean, immersive mixes that actually sound like they belong on the big screen.