DIY mid side technique for lowering mid info on stereo track

[Blast9]

Hi folks - I'm sure this has been asked before but I can't find it:

(using PTLE 7.4)

I have an interleaved stereo track and I want to lower the mid info.

So far I ve put it on 2 stereo channels:

2nd channel has the track reversed R-L instead of L-R, and by juggling the level of that fader it does kinda work... But I'm sure this isn't the correct method.

[jproc]

Voxengo makes a great free VST called MSED which does inline mid-side encoding/decoding... much simpler than splitting the tracks and setting everything up...

Voxengo - MSED

[Ben B]

De-interleave the stereo file so that its left and right components are on two separate tracks of PT. Duplicate these tracks twice, so that you have six tracks in total.

Take the two original L&R tracks, and pan them both center. Take the next L&R pair, and pan them both to the left. Take the third L&R pair, and pan them both to the right.

Next, use the Audiosuite "Invert" plug-in to reverse the polarity of tracks 4 and 5.

Position check:

Track 1 - Original left signal, normal polarity, panned center
Track 2 - Original right signal, normal polarity, panned center
Track 3 - Original left signal, normal polarity, panned left
Track 4 - Original right signal, inverted polarity, also panned left
Track 5 - Original left signal, inverted polarity, panned right
Track 6 - Original right signal, normal polarity, also panned right

Make a mix group out of tracks 1 and 2, called "mono sum." Make another mix group out of tracks 3-6, called "difference." At this point, you can adjust the ratio of center to sides information by manipulating your mix groups. Further bussing/subgrouping would also allow you to apply separate processing to the center and sides.

Another approach you could take is to use three stereo tracks, and a multi-mono Trim plug-in, which would allow you to phase-reverse the necessary files in real-time. I prefer the Audiosuite method, as it negates the potential problem of unequal plug-in latencies among the tracks. (This too can be avoided by using Automatic Delay Compensation in HD, or by using redundant trim plug-ins everywhere.)

-Ben B

[tINY]

It's a lot easier in Sonar.


-tINY

[Mike Brown]

Great post!

Couple notes:

PT does not play back interleaved audio files.... (it splits them into multi-mono files).

It is a waste of money to pay for a plugin when you can do it all yourself very easily with some know how.

Originally Posted by Ben B

De-interleave the stereo file so that its left and right components are on two separate tracks of PT. Duplicate these tracks twice, so that you have six tracks in total.

Take the two original L&R tracks, and pan them both center. Take the next L&R pair, and pan them both to the left. Take the third L&R pair, and pan them both to the right.

Next, use the Audiosuite "Invert" plug-in to reverse the polarity of tracks 4 and 5.

Position check:

Track 1 - Original left signal, normal polarity, panned center
Track 2 - Original right signal, normal polarity, panned center
Track 3 - Original left signal, normal polarity, panned left
Track 4 - Original right signal, inverted polarity, also panned left
Track 5 - Original left signal, inverted polarity, panned right
Track 6 - Original right signal, normal polarity, also panned right

Make a mix group out of tracks 1 and 2, called "mono sum." Make another mix group out of tracks 3-6, called "difference." At this point, you can adjust the ratio of center to sides information by manipulating your mix groups. Further bussing/subgrouping would also allow you to apply separate processing to the center and sides.

Another approach you could take is to use three stereo tracks, and a multi-mono Trim plug-in, which would allow you to phase-reverse the necessary files in real-time. I prefer the Audiosuite method, as it negates the potential problem of unequal plug-in latencies among the tracks. (This too can be avoided by using Automatic Delay Compensation in HD, or by using redundant trim plug-ins everywhere.)

-Ben B

[Blast9]

OK guys I'll try all of the above.

thanks

I didn't realise PT automaticaly splits an interleaved stereo file

[jproc]

The voxengo plugin (and several others) are free...

plus, you dont need a bunch of extra tracks/groups... just insert, select "inline" mode, adjust side gain, adjust mid gain... done...

[Macky]

Been checking out mid side in general (Pro tools) today and this thread was very helpful. Now, which mic to buy with fig 8
Thanks

[FeatheredSerpent]

Was given the link to this plug the other day which is insanely useful and simple to use : just duplicate the stereo file, insert the plug on each of the stereo tracks, then select mid on one and side on the other and adjust to taste.
Also has a stereo widener.

MS-Mastering Tools by Brainworx-Media

[John Eppstein]

Originally Posted by FeatheredSerpent

Was given the link to this plug the other day which is insanely useful and simple to use : just duplicate the stereo file, insert the plug on each of the stereo tracks, then select mid on one and side on the other and adjust to taste.
Also has a stereo widener.

MS-Mastering Tools by Brainworx-Media

Anything like this in VST on PC?

[FeatheredSerpent]

I'm using it as vst on PC, if you follow the download link on that page then you'll find all the different options for mac and pc thumbsup

[papanauta]

thank you Ben B.
i love this place

[Deshusingh]

Hae thanks Ben..........I was crazy to know this, from such a long time.