Virtuasonic releases SI-1 v1.0

SI-1 is a simple-to-use spatial processor designed for stereo image balancing. It can change the proportion between center and side information to widen (or narrow) the stereo image of recordings without phase cancellation artifacts caused by delays and frequency operations common in other stereo enhancers.

In stereo recordings of acoustic music, side information is very often related to ambience, while center information gives an idea of the distance between the listener and the sound source. For example, with SI-1 it is possible to improve mono compatibility or attenuate the reverberation to focus on central image by lowering the "side control" slider. On the opposite, to widen the stereo image of a stereo recording, lower the "center control" slider.

SI-1 will be also useful to video makers that use a camcorder with a stereo mic and need to reduce lateral noises and ambience, for example, to focus on a dialog that is taking place in front of the camera.

SI-1 is available as a VST effect plug-in for Windows at a special introductory price of $29.95 until the end of April (when the price will rise to $34.95). A demo version is available.