Mid Side Mastering:
'E x p a n d i n g' The Possiblities!

So what can mid side mastering do for you?

First of all, if you're doing your own mastering, most (if not all) of what I'm about to describe will not apply to you, in one respect. The issues you'd attempt to address would be better handled in the mixing realm.

Unless...

..you've happened to have lost your original mix project, or for whatever reason can no longer open it. Hey - in the sometimes weird and wonderful world of software updates, anything can happen!

However...

There is one application of mid side technique that is extremely useful during mixing.

More on this later!...

Using this technique at its most simplest, you can widen the spread of your stereo soundstage or reduce it to mono.

You can also bring up a too-low reverb in a mix; or raise the frequencies of instruments panned hard left and right without affecting the level of the centred instruments, or vice versa.

And when an EQ, compressor, or limiter are thrown into the works, your control becomes more greater and more selective.

It is sometimes possible to greatly enhance or even repair a poor mix.

Or totally destroy it!

Setting yourself up for mid side work is a relatively simple process with mastering software.

Many plugins allow you to accomplish it with a just a single piece of software. Sometimes though it's necessary set things up manually for the greatest control.

But...

You can use a form of this technique, even without doing any actual processing, during mixing!

If you knew the sometimes glaring oversights you can avoid, you'll understand and really appreciate that mid side monitoring is a wise idea.

Mid-side mastering is one of the more potent techniques available – which is why I've devoted a special section just for it.

The key is knowing not just when to use and but when not to use it.

Return from Mid Side Mastering to
About Audio Mastering Software