Taperssection.com

Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: Teen Wolf Blitzer on December 10, 2007, 12:43:19 PM

Title: Help with m/s in post
Post by: Teen Wolf Blitzer on December 10, 2007, 12:43:19 PM
Well I made my second m/s recording Saturday. The first time was over a year ago and I did it on the fly.  This time I chose to do it in post.  I have all the major programs.  What do most do to process m/s?  I notice Soundforge has presets like normal mix of m/s, expand image, etc.  Wavlab has the Tools One effect but I'm not sure what to do once I open it.  Haven't checked out Samplitude or Audacity yet.  Any guidance on what method to use would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks all.
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 10, 2007, 01:31:31 PM
I like the Voxengo MSED (http://www.voxengo.com/product/msed/) VST plugin.  Use your favorite VST-capable audio editor + MSED and you're all set.  Super easy.
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: KLowe on December 10, 2007, 01:36:09 PM
I like the Voxengo MSED (http://www.voxengo.com/product/msed/) VST plugin.  Use your favorite VST-capable audio editor + MSED and you're all set.  Super easy.

I need to try that one.  but....FWIW...the SoundForge couldn't be any easier...and it also has a preview function.

SF > process > pan/expand > M/S
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: anhisr on December 10, 2007, 02:04:58 PM
I use ToolsOne in Wavelab. 
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 10, 2007, 02:26:29 PM
I'd first decide on which audio editor's UI, feature set, workflow, sound, price you prefer.  Then, decide whether you like that editor's internal MS decoding or MSED (or some other plugin) better.
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: Teen Wolf Blitzer on December 10, 2007, 02:51:02 PM
Thanks Brian.  I threw that Voxengo onto Wavlab.  What setting do you put it on?

inline, decoder, encoder,?    I assume one of the first 2.

So m/s decoding is more of a "my ear" thing and not necessarily a preset?
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: KLowe on December 10, 2007, 03:10:07 PM
tapermark. 

she's got "an ass like an army pack mule"......BAM!


I need one of your sets of Neumann Active bars
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: Brian Skalinder on December 10, 2007, 03:32:40 PM
inline, decoder, encoder,?    I assume one of the first 2.

So m/s decoding is more of a "my ear" thing and not necessarily a preset?

I use decoder, and I'm able to preview as I edit in SAM.  Definitely a matter of what sounds good to your ears, no real pre-set.
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: rowjimmytour on December 10, 2007, 03:49:27 PM
I like the Voxengo MSED (http://www.voxengo.com/product/msed/) VST plugin.  Use your favorite VST-capable audio editor + MSED and you're all set.  Super easy.

I need to try that one.  but....FWIW...the SoundForge couldn't be any easier...and it also has a preview function.

SF > process > pan/expand > M/S
I second the notion of SF and the VST plugin. Its nice to hear what it sounds like on the fly before you save and makes the process smooth and easy.
PEace
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: easy jim on December 10, 2007, 05:29:23 PM
You can always make your m/s matrix manually as a 3-track in any software that supports > 2 mono tracks, stereo panning, and phase inversion. 

Just split to mono tracks, and then copy and phase invert the side track.  Mix the 'mid' track panned center, with 'side' (+)phase panned left and 'side' (-, inverted) phase panned right (assuming the positive lobe of your fig. 8 was 90 deg. left of center axis).  Keep the levels for your two 'side' tracks even and adjust their amplitude relative to the center-panned 'mid' track until it sounds just right.
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: rowjimmy on January 04, 2008, 04:40:31 PM
You can always make your m/s matrix manually as a 3-track in any software that supports > 2 mono tracks, stereo panning, and phase inversion. 

Just split to mono tracks, and then copy and phase invert the side track.  Mix the 'mid' track panned center, with 'side' (+)phase panned left and 'side' (-, inverted) phase panned right (assuming the positive lobe of your fig. 8 was 90 deg. left of center axis).  Keep the levels for your two 'side' tracks even and adjust their amplitude relative to the center-panned 'mid' track until it sounds just right.

Thought I'd bump this useful thread as I +t everyone.
I just did my first m/s recording here @ home and wasn't sure, off the top of my head, how to mix it.
I record in Reaper (Great, low-cost, DAW) & I have ToolsOne but I don't really dig what it's doing when I use it. So, I downloaded MSED for future fiddling and then I read thoe quoted post from easyjim. This worked great and I really like what I'm hearing. Wish I had rehearsed better but, You gotta record when the moment arrives, around here (read: when the kids aren't home.)

Anyway, here's the setup:
acoustic guitar w Cascade Fathead (side) + Superlux SMK-H8K/U (mid) > Tascam FW1804 > Reaper

I also ran a third channel with a soundhole pickup out of habit but I hear far less need to mix it in than I usually do when I mic the fretboard and soundhole as I usually do.

Anyway, Thanks.
Title: Re: Help with m/s in post
Post by: easy jim on January 04, 2008, 05:18:54 PM
:coolguy:  glad it worked well for you rowjimmy, and +t back at'ya