compressing mid-side stereo

gwailoh · 12th July 2006

Are there issues to be aware of re compressing M/S signals? For instance if you're tracking through two mono compressors with a "link" function, are there special implications of linking the mid and side mics as you would an X/Y pair or a spaced pair? I've no idea what compression will do to the phase relationships which generate the stereo picture.

I note that there's an M/S option for Manley's Vari-Mu. Anybody using this for tracking?

Thanks!

dementedchord · 12th July 2006

never really considered it before but since the sides are ambiant and by definition delayed i'm not sure i would want them in a linked or keyed mode.... YMMV

gwailoh · 12th July 2006

I'm in the same situation -- never really considered it before. Interested to see what experience others have had. Thanks for your thoughts!

Mike Caffrey · 12th July 2006

I've used M/S compression for tracking. Specifically, limiting the center and compressing the sides. For the effect I wanted it didn't make sense to link, but it something you should try so that you know what that does.

Personally, I go to M/S when I'm trying to treat the two differently, so I cna't see how I'd ever have a reason to link.

I rarely link in stereo anyway unless I'm feeling lazy and just want to turn one knob.

12th July 2006	#1
gwailoh Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 812 Thread Starter	compressing mid-side stereo Are there issues to be aware of re compressing M/S signals? For instance if you're tracking through two mono compressors with a "link" function, are there special implications of linking the mid and side mics as you would an X/Y pair or a spaced pair? I've no idea what compression will do to the phase relationships which generate the stereo picture. I note that there's an M/S option for Manley's Vari-Mu. Anybody using this for tracking? Thanks! __________________ "Go back and re-mix your fav test mix making sure that at every place in all chains (including between all plug-ins) level never gets bigger than -6dBr. Make sure your final output also never peaks beyond -6dBr. Now do the comparison between this ITB mix and a similar OTB mix. You might have a big surprise." - Paul Frindle

12th July 2006	#2
dementedchord Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 885	$ .02 never really considered it before but since the sides are ambiant and by definition delayed i'm not sure i would want them in a linked or keyed mode.... YMMV

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12th July 2006	#4
Mike Caffrey Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 4,088	I've used M/S compression for tracking. Specifically, limiting the center and compressing the sides. For the effect I wanted it didn't make sense to link, but it something you should try so that you know what that does. Personally, I go to M/S when I'm trying to treat the two differently, so I cna't see how I'd ever have a reason to link. I rarely link in stereo anyway unless I'm feeling lazy and just want to turn one knob.