Modern Monoizer: Mastering Stereo Image Control
High-quality stereo control is the key to professional sound. The correct balance between the central (Mid) and side (Side) information determines not only the sense of space, but also the critically important mono compatibility of your mix. The Modern Monoizer plugin from Antress is a compact and powerful VST instrument for Windows, designed specifically for precise manipulation of these components.
Understanding Mid/Side Processing
A stereo signal can be imagined as a combination of two independent streams:
- Mid (Middle): This is information common to the left and right channels (L+R) – everything that sounds in the center of the panorama (vocals, bass, kick).
- Side (Side): These are the differences between the left and right channels (L-R) – creates the feeling of width and space (reverberation, panned instruments, pads).
Modern Monoizer allows you to independently influence these parts of the signal, opening up new possibilities for mixing and mastering.
Features and Controls
The plugin offers a clear interface with key features for working with stereo:
- Power On/Off: Quick comparison with the original.
- Mid Gain (0 to +12 dB): Adjusts the level of the central signal. Highlight vocals or make the bass more focused in the center.
- Side Gain (0 to +12 dB): Controls the level of the side signal. Expand the mix or make it more monophonic.
- Side Filter Control: Setting up the filtering of the side signal.
- Highpass Filter (20 Hz to 20 KHz) for Side: Essential for mono compatibility of low frequencies. Remove bass from the side signal, leaving it only in the center for a strong foundation of the mix.
- Filter Shape Control: Adjusts the characteristic (steepness) of the Side filter for precise formation of the stereo spectrum.
Where and How to Use
Modern Monoizer is useful at different stages:
- Mixing: On stereo tracks (e.g., guitars, synthesizers, overheads). Control their width, filter out unwanted low frequencies from the Side signal.
- Mastering: On the master bus. Fine-tuning of the overall width, ensuring mono compatibility of the bass, balancing the central and side elements.
The simplicity of Modern Monoizer is its strength. It provides exactly the functions needed to effectively work with stereo, without overloading with unnecessary options. It is an ideal tool for quickly improving the stereo image and ensuring mono compatibility of your tracks.
Always check your mix in mono after applying Modern Monoizer, especially if you have used filtering or Side channel gain adjustments.
Download Modern Monoizer
Get Modern Monoizer for your DAW on Windows. The plugin is available for free download.
