satellite – Your cosmic guide to stereo space
Delving into the world of sound and space. How to give tracks life, dimension, and movement? One of the most powerful tools in the sound engineer’s and musician’s arsenal is panning. But what if you could go beyond simple static sound distribution in the stereo field? What if you could create dynamic, lively movement, as if the sound is rotating, approaching and receding, mimicking the trajectory of an object in space? This is precisely why the unique “satellite” plugin from the developer SYNTHEDIT LABO JAPAN was created. This tool is not just an autopanner; it’s a virtual satellite orbiting around your sound, adding unpredictability and depth.
“Earth” and “Satellite”: A Cosmic Analogy in Your Mix
The “satellite” plugin uses an interesting analogy to explain its operation. It represents the right input as “Earth,” a stable element, and the left input as “Satellite,” rotating around “Earth.” This concept helps visualize and control stereo movement, making the process creative and intuitive.
Controlling “Earth” (Right Input)
Controlling the right channel, or “Earth,” is done with two main parameters:
- Speed: Determines the panning speed of the right channel. From a barely noticeable oscillation to a fast tremolo-like effect.
- Wide: Sets the maximum panning width of the right channel in the stereo field. Control how widely “Earth” unfolds in space.
Controlling “Satellite” (Left Input)
Controlling the left channel, “Satellite,” offers more possibilities for creating complex movements:
- Speed: Determines the panning speed of the left channel. Can be synchronized or independent from the “Earth” speed, allowing for creating asynchronous orbits.
- Wide: Sets the maximum panning width of the left channel. It’s important to note that the “Satellite” width depends on the “Wide” value for “Earth,” creating an interdependent movement.
- Mod (Modulation): This is a unique parameter that modulates the left channel volume synchronously with its panning position. This allows you to create an approaching and receding effect, as if the satellite is moving in three dimensions, or add rhythmic pulsations related to spatial location.
Output Volume Settings
For accurate balancing of “Earth” and “Satellite” signals in the final mix, separate volume controls are provided:
- ER (Right Channel Output): Adjusts the overall output volume of the right (Earth) channel.
- ST (Left Channel Output): Adjusts the overall output volume of the left (Satellite) channel.
Waveform Selection for Panning
To give the panning the desired character, the “satellite” plugin allows you to select the waveform that controls the movement for each channel separately:
- ER (Waveform for the right channel): Select a waveform (e.g., sine, triangle, sawtooth) that will define the nature of the “Earth” movement.
- ST (Waveform for the left channel): Select a waveform to control the “Satellite” movement. Independent selection of waveforms for each channel allows you to create extremely complex and interesting stereo effects.
Creative Possibilities with “satellite”
“satellite” by SYNTHEDIT LABO JAPAN is a powerful tool for adding space and movement to your mixes. You can use it to:
- Revitalize static synthesizer pads, creating revolving atmospheric textures.
- Add dynamics to guitar parts, simulating amplifier movement or simply adding interesting stereo tremolo.
- Create pulsating or “breathing” effects on vocals or instruments thanks to the volume modulation function.
- Experiment with drums and percussion, adding spatial depth and movement to them.
- Any sounds that need to move away from a static stereo image to a dynamic and lively one.
The simple interface combined with deep control capabilities makes “satellite” accessible to both beginners and experienced sound engineers.
The “satellite” plugin is more than just an autopanner. It’s a tool for creating unique stereo movement, inspired by cosmic dynamics. Add cosmic scale to your tracks and immerse the listener in a world of volumetric, moving sound with “satellite” by SYNTHEDIT LABO JAPAN.
