I have a given audio file in raw/undecoded M-S format with the mid on the left (as intended). I then split the stereo into two mono tracks in audacity (mid and side), then duplicate the S track. Now I have a mid and two sides. I then invert the second S (or track 3). I can pan the two S tracks to the center and I come back with nothing (so I know the phase is reversed and it comes down to a null mono).
So why when I have the mid in the center, and each S track on the sides, without any gain applied or removed, do I end up with a left channel that is approximately +4db difference from the right?
Someone else here asked this question and I can't find the thread after an hour of searching, so I apologize if this is an easy gimme. Any information is greatly appreciated.
PS: I'm using OSX, and Audacity's VST bridge crashes, so I'm down to AUs and manual.