KVR Audio

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:22 am

Every DAW mixer channel has a "Swap Left/Right" button - a simple utility that swaps the stereo channels, so Left becomes Right, and vice versa. What I want to know is... Is there a way to fade smoothly between the Left/Right, rather than an instant swap?

I'm thinking maybe a panner that let's you pan the left and right channels individually, automating them back and forth. Probably TrackControl using 2 simultaneous automations might be my best bet. I'm just wondering if there's an easier way than that - maybe a plugin that already does it.

Ploki · Post by **Ploki** » Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:50 am

izotope imager with negative width applied?
i don't have it anymore, thinking outloud

paterpeter · Post by **paterpeter** » Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:03 am

Melda's MUtility should do this and is free: https://www.meldaproduction.com/MUtility

Just automate the Panorama Left and Panorama Right knobs.

AGIGA · Post by **AGIGA** » Thu Aug 26, 2021 12:23 pm

Ploki wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:50 am izotope imager with negative width applied?
i don't have it anymore, thinking outloud

Ozone Imager with negative width turns a stereo signal into a mono signal.

Kr3eM · Post by **Kr3eM** » Thu Aug 26, 2021 4:54 pm

https://www.kvraudio.com/product/free-l ... y-time-dsp

DualPanner perhaps... if youre on windows

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:34 am

Kr3eM wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 4:54 pm https://www.kvraudio.com/product/free-l ... y-time-dsp

DualPanner perhaps... if youre on windows

This is kind of what I was going to try with DMG TrackUtility, but the SleepyTime looks even more streamlined for the task:

Thanks for the suggestion. These old Sleepytime plugins are wicked!

I'll automate the Left slider to the right side, and the Right slider to the left, at the same time. I'm thinking the automation curves will have to be exactly opposite, or some weird stereo offsets might occur. The goal is to not have any strange phase/combfiltering inbetween.

I'll try it this weekend.

If anyone's curious, my use case is pretty niche.... I have this synth stem that leans to the Left throughout the song, because it hits a ping pong delay and the first (strongest) repeat pans left first, giving an overall impression of the instrument being Left dominant. I don't want to mono it or mess up the stereo spread because I like that aspect of it... I just want to mix it up so some sections lean right, but with a quick smooth fade for the channel reversal, not an instant (and therefore noticeable) swap.

Kind of a side-effect of ping pong delays I guess - whichever way that first repeat goes, pulls the stereo image of that instrument to that side.

Here's TrackControl with L/R panning

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:36 am

Ploki wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 10:50 am izotope imager with negative width applied?
i don't have it anymore, thinking outloud

That is a powerful processor so I'm sure you can perform some magic with it! Not sure about this task though, thanks Ploki

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:39 am

paterpeter wrote: Thu Aug 26, 2021 11:03 am Melda's MUtility should do this and is free: https://www.meldaproduction.com/MUtility

Just automate the Panorama Left and Panorama Right knobs.

Boom, yes! Thanks for the suggestion. That's what I'll do. I think i'll try the Sleepytime Dual Panner first and if that doesn't work out, MUtility.

I'm surprised there isn't a simple plugin that does this with just one knob/slider. Add an LFO for fun! Call it "X-panned" or something, there you go devs, free idea, i'll only take a 5% stake in your company

Kr3eM · Post by **Kr3eM** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 4:38 pm

MogwaiBoy wrote: Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:34 am I'll automate the Left slider to the right side, and the Right slider to the left, at the same time. I'm thinking the automation curves will have to be exactly opposite, or some weird stereo offsets might occur. The goal is to not have any strange phase/combfiltering inbetween.

IIRC I think the Width mode button makes the L/R mirror each other so what you do with just the L slider will be relfected on the R... That if my memory serves me right... getting old now, so many plugins to remember...

Kr3eM · Post by **Kr3eM** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 4:39 pm

...oh forgot. "These old Sleepytime plugins are wicked!"
yes they are some really solid good plugins.

MogwaiBoy · Post by **MogwaiBoy** » Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:34 pm

Kr3eM wrote: Fri Aug 27, 2021 4:38 pm
MogwaiBoy wrote: Fri Aug 27, 2021 12:34 am I'll automate the Left slider to the right side, and the Right slider to the left, at the same time. I'm thinking the automation curves will have to be exactly opposite, or some weird stereo offsets might occur. The goal is to not have any strange phase/combfiltering inbetween.
IIRC I think the Width mode button makes the L/R mirror each other so what you do with just the L slider will be relfected on the R... That if my memory serves me right... getting old now, so many plugins to remember...

Ahhh, that's awesome about the Width mode.... Sleepytime plugins were ahead of their time

I ended up using DMG TrackControl just because I've had a problem before with Sleepytime's crosstalk plugin causing loud pops at the beginning of renders (DC problem maybe), which puts me off. So I went with a plugin that's still being maintained by the developers.

The result is... it worked! It's seamless especially if I place it before the reverb on that channel. Now I have the synth shifting through the song. There is a touch of a volume boost around the centre of the L/R transition when both channels meet in the middle and crossover each other - it becomes mono right in that spot and that boosts the volume a touch. Maybe that has something to do with 'Pan Law', which can't be adjusted in TrackControl - but can in others. Next time I'll try the Sleeptime plugin.

Thanks all for your help with this silly little niche request

"Swap L/R" effect but variable/fade between?