Editing Low-frequency effects (section)

== Development ==

The LFE channel originated in [[Dolby Stereo]] 70&nbsp;mm Six Track film prints, as a way of providing louder bass and sub-bass effects, without detracting from the quality of the standard audio channels. The LFE channel is conventionally played back 10 [[Decibel|dB]] louder than the main channels, giving significantly more recording [[headroom (audio signal processing)|headroom]]. Also, the separate recording allowed a straightforward installation of extra dedicated subwoofers, and removed the need to upgrade the main speakers.

Later formats such as [[Dolby Digital]] retained the LFE channel, although this is more through convention and backwards compatibility than necessity, as digital formats have greater dynamic range than the magnetic analogue recordings on [[70 mm film|70 mm]] prints, and modern sound processors have a bass management system to redirect bass from all channels to a subwoofer.