Unless you’re stem mastering, you won’t have access to the original tracks, or any way to rebalance the mix while mastering. Mid/side processing is also very useful when mastering. Mid/side EQs can even be used to add depth to your mix by focusing your EQ adjustments on a specific point in the stereo image, creating more space and isolation between each instrument. They can also be used to enhance the width of a mix by boosting the high-end on the sides, drawing the listener to the edge of the mix. Mid/side EQ can be a powerful tool for removing muddiness by focusing the low-end in the center of the mix, freeing up space on the sides. Mid/side EQ allows you to isolate different frequency ranges at the center or sides of your mix. There are even some time-based effects like delays that offer mid/side processing for super-spacey effects.īut the most common form of mid/side processing is EQ. Kind of like a multi-band compressor on steroids. Mid/side compressors let you control dynamics for the center and sides of a mix separately-with their own ratio, attack, and release settings. The most basic forms of mid/side processors simply allow you to adjust the level or stereo spread of each signal. Technically, mid/side plug-ins can utilize any type of signal processing. Why You Should Use Mid/Side Processing In Your Mix It can be used on individual tracks, instrument groups, or even on the mix bus. This allows you to treat each signal separately to further enhance their differences for a more dynamic sound. The Mid signal contains the information that shows up in both speakers, while the Side signal contains the information that is unique to the left and right speakers. In the digital era, mid/side processing plug-ins work by converting a stereo track into two signals. The process uses two microphones-one with a figure-8 pattern and one with a cardioid pattern-to capture wide stereo imagery with a strong, focused center.Īt the time, the mid/side recording technique was used extensively for live broadcasts because of its strong center signal and guaranteed stereo compatibility. While it may seem like a modern concept, mid/side recording was pioneered by renowned EMI engineer Alan Blumlein in 1933. By isolating these signals, you can shape the balance of your stereo image, giving you more control over your mix. Unlike traditional mono or stereo processing, which affects the entire signal, mid/side processing allows you to treat the center and sides of a stereo channel independently. In this blog, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about mid/side processing so you can start creating bigger, better mixes. However, it can be a difficult concept to understand. When used correctly, mid/side processing has the power to make your tracks sound wider, deeper, and more focused. Mid/side processing is a versatile mixing and mastering technique that allows you to process the center and side signals of a stereo track separately.
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