Plugin Alliance M/S Mastering - Mid/Side Processing Plug-Ins Bundle (Download)

The bx_digital V2 from Brainworx is a state-of-the-art digital mastering processor that provides a mastering-class eleven-band equalizer, mid/side de-esser, mono-maker and intelligent bass- and presence-shifters, plus extra mid/side features such as pan and stereo width control. The software delivers all of the functions of the company's Modus EQ bx1 hardware, including the M/S-solo-buttons, and several additional functions such as Auto Listen, etc.

The plug-in comprises three modes. Conventional left and right stereo mode for stereo/dual mono applications, and a stereo mode with a built-in M/S-matrix, mainly used for stereo mastering purposes. A three-channel mode (stereo plus one mono channel) is provided for surround mastering and recording studios purposes. An M/S-recording mode uses two individual microphone signals to create a highly mono-compatible stereo signal, mainly used for orchestral recordings, choirs or for recording acoustic instruments in general.

The bx_meter from Brainworx is a dynamic range meter plug-in with an M/S (Mid/Side) mode that allows for visually analyzing audio signal in many useful ways. The software displays peak and RMS values of mixes, and can also show the relationship between both using the centered dynamic LEDs.

A mid/side mode is available in addition to the standard left/right mode, and offers three different weightings for displaying the dynamics in ways that users like to hear them. For additional monitoring, solo switches are provided.

The bx_saturator from Brainworx is an M/S and multi-band saturation plug-in suitable for mastering, mixing, and sound-design. It offers a warm and subtle distortion on individual signals but can also be applied to the stereo master channel using the M/S stereo model. Dedicated crossover technology ensures that the mid and side channels are always perfectly in phase.

Uses include increasing the perceived volume of mixes without clipping them, or bringing out certain signals like acoustic guitars and percussion in full mixes without increasing actual levels or applying EQ to them. Distort vocals in full mixes without adversely affecting the drums or the clarity of keyboard sounds and stereo guitars. Thirty presets are provided for getting started straight away.

bx_XL V2 from Brainworx is a low latency, M/S mastering limiter whose main purpose is to make mixes loud while keeping them clear (undistorted). Many modern productions are loud while at the same time having no dynamics. The aim of the plug-in is to make tracks as loud as any major label production and less squashed than many of them.

The software converts stereo signals into M (mid/sum) and S (side/difference) signals and splits the M channel into two bands (high and low). This allows for limiting and leveling three individual channels to increase loudness and improve clarity of stereo mixes with much less distortion artifacts while still keeping the "punch."

The alpha compressor from elysia is a native based plug-in that faithfully recreates the company's hardware mastering compressor. With integrated M/S matrix processing, two selectable compressor characteristics, a sidechain filter, parallel compression and more, the software provides all the tools needed for full mastering inside a DAW.

Since the compression section by itself is a useful tool, a reduced-interface version of the plug-in is included as a dedicated mixing tool. All the major plug-in formats are supported for both 32- and 64-bit operating systems.

The Passeq from SPL is an emulation of the company's analog hardware unit, and unlike other passive EQs, delivers three-bands for both boost and cut stages. A similarity shared with these types of EQs is the use of fixed (switchable) frequency points within each band. The Passeq provides twelve switchable frequencies per band, and since boost and cut frequencies are not identical, the result is a total of seventy-two frequencies per channel, more than enough for the most elaborate EQ curves.

The software programming faithfully reproduces the unique sound of the original hardware, with the complex interactions between each single filter reproduced in detail. Intrinsic to passive filter designs is that the signal always runs through the whole network. Whenever the settings change, interactions take place between the filters which adds to the characteristic sound of these types of EQs.

Additionally, internal code supports mouse wheel control for the rotary controls. Place the mouse cursor over a control and move the scroll wheel to adjust the setting.