Mid Side Mastering: Analog vs Digital

S75 · 17th October 2011

Hello,
actually when I need mid side processing, I use some plug in like V2 Brainworx or I set Pro tools.
Now I'm considering to buy some analog MS matrix like Avenson or Dav SIPP.

What do you thing, Will it be an improvement or not? And why?

Thanx

Laarsø · 18th October 2011

My view is that, unless the signal is very ambient to begin with, and end with, the gain staging is all wrong for analog mid side during premastering.

Now, the Weiss EQ-1 MKII is an exception, because it sounds analog but has the ability to use filters that are more customized than ones that are mostly using the 32 bit float system. This one is 40 bit, but with fixed frequencies and custom state variables. To stay clean it needs high sample rate input.. If you can send to it already at 2x before your analog chain is best bet, since then, neither it, nor your D/A, will have to use their internal down/up sample modes, so the sound will be most transparently malleable.

Laarsø

EngineEars · 25th January 2012

I'd like to bump this thread for any experienced mastering engineer's input if you've tried both domains.

Does doing MS processing make any difference if it's done in the analog domain vs. the digital? Or is it just a matter of if you have an analog chain of equipment you do it analog and if you use digital or plugs you process ms digitally?

Radiance · 25th January 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineEars

Does doing MS processing make any difference if it's done in the analog domain vs. the digital?

Does not make a big difference IMHO

Quote:

Originally Posted by EngineEars

Or is it just a matter of if you have an analog chain of equipment you do it analog and if you use digital or plugs you process ms digitally?

Exactly...

dcollins · 25th January 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by S75

Hello,
actually when I need mid side processing, I use some plug in like V2 Brainworx or I set Pro tools.
Now I'm considering to buy some analog MS matrix like Avenson or Dav SIPP.

What do you thing, Will it be an improvement or not? And why?

I believe most people that do this use and prefer analog for M/S.

DC

17th October 2011	#1
S75 Gear maniac Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 230 Thread Starter	Mid Side Mastering: Analog vs Digital Hello, actually when I need mid side processing, I use some plug in like V2 Brainworx or I set Pro tools. Now I'm considering to buy some analog MS matrix like Avenson or Dav SIPP. What do you thing, Will it be an improvement or not? And why? Thanx

25th January 2012	#3
EngineEars Gear addict Joined: Jul 2004 Location: LA Posts: 460	I'd like to bump this thread for any experienced mastering engineer's input if you've tried both domains. Does doing MS processing make any difference if it's done in the analog domain vs. the digital? Or is it just a matter of if you have an analog chain of equipment you do it analog and if you use digital or plugs you process ms digitally? __________________ "To be a good engineer you NEED to HEAR to make sure you gettin whatcha want THE WAY ya want it." Ray Charles

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18th October 2011	#2
Laarsø Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 222	My view is that, unless the signal is very ambient to begin with, and end with, the gain staging is all wrong for analog mid side during premastering. Now, the Weiss EQ-1 MKII is an exception, because it sounds analog but has the ability to use filters that are more customized than ones that are mostly using the 32 bit float system. This one is 40 bit, but with fixed frequencies and custom state variables. To stay clean it needs high sample rate input.. If you can send to it already at 2x before your analog chain is best bet, since then, neither it, nor your D/A, will have to use their internal down/up sample modes, so the sound will be most transparently malleable. Laarsø