Dear musicians, producers, and sound engineers! In today’s world, creating music with high-quality spatial positioning of instruments and vocals in the stereo field is key to achieving professional sound. There is often a need to not just mix left and right channels, but to gain precise control over the central “mono” part of the mix (Mid) and the side “stereo” components (Side). This is where a powerful tool comes to the rescue – a plugin that opens the door to in-depth work with the stereo signal.
MSED by Voxengo: The Master of Mid-Side Processing
Introducing MSED by Voxengo – a versatile audio encoder-decoder specifically designed for professional work with the Mid-Side (M-S) format. This plugin is an indispensable assistant when you need to gain full control over the stereo panorama, focus the center of the mix, or expand its side parts.
What is Mid-Side processing?
Mid-Side processing is a technique that transforms a standard stereo signal (left/right) into two components: Mid (middle) and Side (side). The Mid channel contains the sum of the left and right channels (L+R), which is essentially a mono signal. The Side channel contains the difference between the left and right channels (L-R), which is responsible for the stereo width and spatial effects.
Working with Mid and Side channels separately allows for extraordinary flexibility in mixing. For example, you can make vocals or bass more focused (by processing only Mid), or expand the sound of cymbals or pads (by processing only Side). M-S processing is also valuable in mastering for fine-tuning the stereo image or resolving mono compatibility issues.
Key Features of MSED
MSED offers a full set of functions for effective Mid-Side processing:
- M-S Encoding and Decoding: The plugin can convert an input stereo signal to an M-S pair (encoding) and, conversely, decode an M-S signal back to stereo (decoding).
- Inline Mode: This is one of the most convenient features. In inline mode, MSED allows you to adjust the level of the Mid and Side channels directly within a single instance of the plugin, without the need to use two sequential plugins (one for encoding, the other for processing). This greatly simplifies the workflow.
- Mid/Side Gain Adjustment: Precise control over the volume of the middle and sides allows you to perfectly balance the stereo image. Reducing the Side level can “tighten” the mix and make it more focused, while increasing the Side level can add space and width.
- Phase Inversion (180 degrees): The ability to change the phase of the signal by 180 degrees can be useful for correcting phase problems or creating creative effects, both for the entire stereo signal and, possibly, for individual M/S components (although the main purpose is general inversion).
- Input Channel Swap: The Swap function allows you to swap the left and right input channels. This can be useful if it is found that the signal source was recorded with incorrect stereo positioning.
Additional Advantages and Features
In addition to the basic functions of M-S processing, MSED by Voxengo has a number of additional features that make it an even more convenient and professional tool:
- Zero Processing Latency: The plugin works without noticeable delay, which is critically important for real-time use during recording or live performances.
- A/B Comparison: Quick switching between two different settings allows you to easily compare processing options and choose the best one.
- Preset Manager: Save and load your favorite settings or use ready-made presets as a starting point.
- Contextual Tooltips: Helpful pop-up hints help you understand the plugin’s functionality faster.
- Undo/Redo History: The ability to undo or redo the last actions ensures the safety of experimenting with settings.
- Support for All Sample Rates: The plugin works correctly with any standard and non-standard sample rates, making it compatible with any project.
MSED by Voxengo is a compact but extremely powerful plugin that should be in the arsenal of anyone seriously engaged in audio production. It provides precise control over the most important aspects of the stereo image, helping to make your mixes and masters cleaner, more focused, and more professional. Whether you just need to expand the stereo field of guitars or perform complex mastering, MSED will be your reliable assistant in the world of Mid-Side processing.
Try MSED and see how deep and controlled your stereo sound can be!
