Mid / Side Processing for Enhanced Stereo Effects

[Blue Cat Audio]

You can try the demo version of one of our Mid/side plug-ins. They have this capability. Not sure this can be done easily otherwise.

[popsych]

but mid + side signals should give you 3 audio channels, right?

Wrong, just two: mid (sum) and side (difference).

The mid channel is obtained by adding the left and right channels, while the side is left - right. Going the other way, the left channel will be mid + side, and the right channel mid - side.

You can make an effective mid-side matrix inside a Tracktion rack btw, using only native Tracktion filters.. just thought I'd mention it!

Well since we're on the subject then i though i'd mention that samplitude has it built-in ready made and ready to go

[ArneyS]

I understand the concept of the method but I am not understand how to effectively use this in a production. Do you use it on a per channel basis, do you use it on the master bus? With the voxengo plugin, once you insert it, there is only 1 control, encoder, decoder. Which do you use? What do you do afterwards? How do you control the Mid and Side individually?

[IIRs]

I understand the concept of the method but I am not understand how to effectively use this in a production. Do you use it on a per channel basis, do you use it on the master bus? With the voxengo plugin, once you insert it, there is only 1 control, encoder, decoder. Which do you use? What do you do afterwards? How do you control the Mid and Side individually?

You can use it on channels or whole mixes, but it only makes sense if the source is stereo to begin with. If using it within a mix I tend to find it most useful on sub groups: eg guitars could be spread wider at around 120Hz to keep them clear of the mono bass.

To use the voxengo plug on a conventional stereo signal you will probably need to use two of them: one to encode and another to decode, with a suitable plug patched between them, eg: a true stereo EQ. If your signal is M/S to begin with (perhaps from M/S stereo micing) you will just need one decoder plug.

[M'Snah]

It depends on your host. e.g. in Tracktion you use a rack with Voxengo MSED first you encode, so you have an M and an S stream. Now you can process them both (e.g. put a Chorus on S, or just raise the level of S), and finally use MSED decode, resulting in L and R channels to connect to the output. eXT is just as easy as Tracktion. The things you can do to M and S are only limited by your imagination

[ArneyS]

I use FL 3.56. I don't see a way to control each of the streams seperately

[frankc22]

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Brainworxs have some nice plugins for M/S processing
http://www.brainworx-music.de/ (http://www.brainworx-music.de/)

[Igro]

Damn, never used mid/side before. I will try it. I understand that i must create some kind of routing in modular view of Energy XT2(if using Voxengo MSED)?

[Igro]

Also, if I will use reverb only on the side, will it disappear in Mono after?

Found the answer above.

[metamorphosis]

Holy shit!

I just tried it and this REALLY opens up new possibilities. It's so easy to get that wide and clean stereo image this way The center just stays extremely clear and crisp if you process the sides. Whoa! I thought that there would still be quite alot of interference, but... none!

I also noticed another thing: I could process the sides with a chorus and if I switched monitoring to mono, the side signal disappeared. Maybe this is how certain dancefloor music producers get their clean sound for dancefloors and the full sound for home stereo systems (all in one mix)? I always wondered how their stuff sounds so full of reverb etc. and on dance floor it doesn't sound like there's much of that reverb at all...

Actually that's because almost all clubs have mono PA's, not stereo. In most cases it'll be stereo reverb and the left and right reverb signals cancel each other out to an extent when combined.
m@

[gmore]

Thanks Blue Cat Audio for the article link and Thanks IIRs for the Tracktion info - found a detailed link you had posted in the T forum.

I've had a blast and positive results recently playing with M-S EQ on both individual tracks and as a master and excited about the possibilities - looks like a whole lot more learning ahead

[justified]

Thanks for the interesting read!

[Igro]

Holy shit!

I just tried it and this REALLY opens up new possibilities. It's so easy to get that wide and clean stereo image this way The center just stays extremely clear and crisp if you process the sides. Whoa! I thought that there would still be quite alot of interference, but... none!

I also noticed another thing: I could process the sides with a chorus and if I switched monitoring to mono, the side signal disappeared. Maybe this is how certain dancefloor music producers get their clean sound for dancefloors and the full sound for home stereo systems (all in one mix)? I always wondered how their stuff sounds so full of reverb etc. and on dance floor it doesn't sound like there's much of that reverb at all...

Actually that's because almost all clubs have mono PA's, not stereo. In most cases it'll be stereo reverb and the left and right reverb signals cancel each other out to an extent when combined.
m@

So, what's the goal? If you are experimental electronic music, them m/s is very useful, anyway it's not playing that much in clubs and even if it does, then it's just a small electronic events, where will be definitely stereo system.

If you are in pure club music, then it's better to avoid adding effects to side only.(However, Stereo spreading using m/s still can be used)