True Balance - Mono Check Low End Issue

[ConnollyMusicCreations]

I've just started checking out the True Balance and it looks pretty usable. I keep getting a warning for the low end when I do the Mono Check function, however. I'm using an old .mp3, so no stems available - it's one mixed file - and I'm wondering if this is due to the original instruments not getting dialed in correctly or if it's a current issue. Can I do some tweaks to fix it? Thanks

[buzzlegs]

Use a plugin that narrows the bass end only of the music, there’s probably a lot of plugins that can do this, personally I use the Looptrotter Sat2rate, but there might be a free plugin out there that can do it.

[Andreya_Autumn]

Short answer: Yes; be advised it may or may not take a lot of tweaking.

Any EQ that has mid/side compatibilities is your go-to tool. Make a high pass filter on the side channel and bring it up until the issue goes away.

Best case scenario, the problem is just that the low frequencies are *panned* to the side, and the amount of pan is constant. The side high-pass, plus a mid low shelf boost to compensate the level loss will fix it.
And if the panning changes over time, the amount of compensation needed will also change over time. The further out the bass was, the more the side HP reduces its level, and the more you compensate.

If the bass is completely hard-panned the side filter will remove it totally and no amount of compensation will fix it.

Now, if the problem is *phase* differences in the low end, you're in deeper trouble. A side channel highpass removes the bass width issue. But the phase diff (usually caused by chorus/unison and such) will likely drift over time. Whenever it's 180° the side filter removes the bass completely as above, at 0° the bass is mono. As the phase diff changes, the amount of bass changes too. Compensating for this is not really a feasible strategy.

In these complex cases, you're probably better off splitting the lows off in parallel, dropping one channel and placing the remaining one in the center. This is likely to introduce other problems, getting it to work is not what I'd call fun.


Afraid the moral of the story is "do not f∞k around with too much stereo width in the bass range kids". If you were working on a mix I would advice you to try to avoid causing the issue in the first place. Since you don't have the project files the above is the best I can offer. Good luck!

[ConnollyMusicCreations]

Thanks for the details. I was noodling around some more and the signal started going in and out. I'd been tweaking EQ and Comp but nothing in particular but the signal was fine and then it wasn't. Mono problem and then no mono problem. Is that a normal issue?

[dj ray]

It’s a useful little plugin (and I like it a lot), but it needs more ‘curves’. And if you read the excellent article they put out, not every track that seems deficient, is. Some of the best mixed tracks might show up with mono compatibility issues, and be light on the bass. Your choice of instrumentation and arrangement will also determine where your particular curve might fall. They need to add more sub genres as well as variations (low bass, high mids, wide mix etc.). These AI plugins are only as good as the ‘teacher’. Perhaps in the future, they will be more adaptive through machine learning. Until then, best to continue to use your ears as well as your eyes, and cross reference with songs you know well. It’s a great start for sure.

[ConnollyMusicCreations]

I'm pretty new to the mix side of things so it's nice to have some kind of visual reference/alignment happening. I'll check out the article. Thanks for the reply.

[Andreya_Autumn]

Thanks for the details. I was noodling around some more and the signal started going in and out. I'd been tweaking EQ and Comp but nothing in particular but the signal was fine and then it wasn't. Mono problem and then no mono problem. Is that a normal issue?

If the problem is not there on the unprocessed mix, then either your processing caused the issue, or the meter you're using is making things up. I'm not familiar with the tool, to be clear. But anyway, bypass all the comp/eq/etc and then enable them one at a time to see which one causes the issue. M/S or L/R EQ moves could maybe cause trouble, so could compression if it's not stereo-linked.

But I agree with the above that there might just not be a problem at all. Try to mono the output somehow. Does it still sound reasonable? It probably won't sound as good as the stereo, but can you still hear the most important elements clearly? If yes, then the tool may be imagining problems where there are none.

[ConnollyMusicCreations]

Thanks. Will try that out.