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Tutorial - Monitor Mid-Side Channels, Mono Compatibility and Phase Inversion
Tutorial - Monitor Mid-Side Channels, Mono Compatibility and Phase Inversion
This tutorial shows how to use the analysis plugin to monitor the Mid and Side channels on a mix. It allows you to check the mono compatibility of a mix, as well as its "stereoness". This tutorial uses Cakewalk Sonar 6 as a host application, but any directX or VST compatible host that supports automation will work.

Step By Step

01 - Insert the Widening Meter Pro on the main output bus:

Step 01 - Insert the Widening Meter Pro on the main output bus

02 - Open the automation window:

Step 02 - Open the automation window

03 - Choose the mid and side peak parameters:

Step 03 - Choose the mid and side peak parameters

04 - Hit play, the Mid and Side envelopes are being recorded:

Step 04 - Hit play, the Mid and Side envelopes are being recorded

05 - Stop playback, you can now check the recorded envelopes over the track:

Step 05 - Stop playback, you can now check the recorded envelopes over the track

06 - A low level for the mid channel means mono compatibility issue and phase inversion:

Step 06 - A low level for the mid channel means mono compatibility issue and phase inversion

07 - Side signal getting low means that your sound is mono:

Step 07 - Side signal getting low means that your sound is mono

08 - You can as well monitor this in real time within the Widening Meter Pro user interface:

08.1 - Hide the transformed envelopes curves since you do not need them:

Step 08.1 - Hide the transformed envelopes curves since you do not need them

08.2 - You can See the mid and side channels levels on the user interface:

Step 08.2 - You can See the mid and side channels levels on the user interface

09 - The RMS level can be used as well to check the perceived loudness of the mid and side channels:

Step 09 - The RMS level can be used as well to check the perceived loudness of the mid and side channels

10 - You can also choose to record these envelopes on a given track to monitor its stereoness right on top of the waveform:

Step 10 - You can also choose to record these envelopes on a given track to monitor its stereoness right on top of the waveform
You have learnt how to use the plugin to monitor the stereoness and mono compatibility of your mix. Phase inversion will never be an issue for you! Check our other tutorials to see how to reuse this information to create new real time stereo effects.

Any questions, comments? You want to submit your own tutorial to win a free license? Please post on our Forum!