The process of combining 5 or more discrete digital audio signals into 2 channels.

Generally, the process of combining several channels of information into a smaller number of channels. Specifically, a feature of some Dolby Digital playback devices, allowing users to convert the multichannel digital audio into a two-channel Dolby ProLogic compatible signal ( Lt, Rt), or a stereo signal, or a mono signal. In all of these downmixes the LFE channel is not included, therefore the downmixed signals are not exactly the same as the original. See: Dolby Digital, LFE, Lt, Rt.

To convert a multichannel audio track into a two-channel stereo track by combining the channels with the Dolby Surround process. All DVD players are required to provide downmixed audio output from Dolby Digital audio tracks.