7
bx_
XL
manual
4.0 What is M/S technology?
Most engineers who are recording music know about the M/S micro-
phone technique (2 different microphones for stereo recordings – they
have to be an OMNI or CARDIOID microphone for the M (mid) signal and
a “FIGURE-OF-8 microphone” for the S (side) signal).
Recording a signal with M/S microphone technique means to create
a stereo (L/R) signal by mixing the M and the S signals together in a
special way that will result in a very mono-compatible stereo signal. To
master your music in M/S you have to extract the M- and S- signals
from your stereo mix with an M/S matrix (we offer bx_control as a
plugin M/S matrix), then limit your M- and S- mono sums with 2 mono
limiters and bounce back to L/R stereo with a second M/ S matrix.
Sounds quite confusing?
Well, bx_XL does all that work for you internally, just feed it with a
stereo mix and you´ll be able to individually limit (and listen to!) your M-
and S- signals. The input and output signals of bx_XL are always regular
L/R stereo.
For additional details about this technique you may have a look into
any decent audio book. Please do so if you want to learn more about
this method to create very mono-compatible stereo-signals, e.g. when
recording classical music, drums, choirs or acoustic instruments in
general.
4.1 What is M/S good for in Mastering?
Well, it may sound simple, but the bx_XL has a built-in M/S matrix
that will separate any stereo signal into its mono sum and the stereo
difference signals. Thus you are able to separately control these 2
signals which can be very useful when you work on a stereo mix that
has certain “problems” - or if you simply want to enhance the perceived
volume of your mix with as few audible artifacts as possible.
Ever tried to crank up the guitars and keyboards of your stereo mix while
keeping the punch of your drums and the power of your lead vocals?
With bx_XL and its built-in M/S technology you can do exactly that.
5.0 But what´s so new about bx_XL then?
First of all, bx_XL works different than any other limiter out there.
Different in a nice way…
The M/S mode and the internal split of the M-signal into 2 bands allow
for a huge increase of overall volume and perceived loudness while
keeping audible distortion and artifacts as low as possible.
bx_XL is the first and only M/S mastering limiter that allows you to
listen to your M and S signals individually and phase corrected by using
the same solo knobs that have already made bx_digital the M/S EQ of
choice for many of the best engineers around the globe.
“Why is this so unusual?” you might ask now. Well, although the S signal
is included in any regular L/R stereo signal, it is not in phase on both
channels, so we had to come up with an easy way to phase correct it
each time you want to listen to your S-signal soloed.
Where do you start? Start by playing some stereo mixes through your
bx_XL plug-in and push the Solo button of the MidLo, MidHi and most
importantly the Side Section… you will be amazed of what you will hear…
you will be able to work on details you have never even heard before in
your mixes!
