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From Our Research Team:

Perfect for mixing and mastering!

Dangerous Music's Sum & Minus is the key to beautiful stereo imaging and perfect tonality across the frequency spectrum. The Sum & Minus functionality adds a remarkable element to your mixing and mastering arsenal, offering the ability to modify the frequency content of the program material residing in the left/right aspects of the stereo field without changing the spectrum of the center material. Sum and Minus lets you remove the center material temporarily so you can process the extreme left and right signals without coloring the center material. Every engineer needs Sum & Minus!

Dangerous Music Sum & Minus at a Glance:

• Selectively modify mixes
  
• How it works

Selectively modify mixes
S&M stands for "Sum and Minus" and is a play of words on the techniques of Middle-Sides recording. This device, with the addition of appropriate analog processing gear allows the engineer to enhance the stereo effect of mixes or a pair of tracks in the mix. One can correct subtle mistakes in a mix quickly without having to set it up and run it again or re-record tracks (toss out keepers due to minor mistakes). As a mastering device, the S&M can help an engineer correct even serious problems that would usually be thought of as 'unfixable' quickly and easily (i.e. vocals in the center too bright, guitars on the sides too dull). A stereo pair of room mikes that have the 'perfect' drum sound, except the snare is too loud, can be fixed easily with a limiter in the Sum channel, etc. The ground work for these techniques was invented in the 1930's by Blumlein and resurrected in the 1990's by Muth for modern rock and pop music recording and mastering as used by top engineers in the music industry using his custom equipment.

How it works
There are two controls on the front - the 'Engage' switch selects "stereo" or "S&M" mode. Stereo mode bypasses the matrix circuitry allowing use of the processors in the loop as normal (left and right). The "Width" control is a stepped attenuator giving precise 1/2dB steps to the difference channel. Straight up is normal. Clockwise increases the width. The knob can also tame a signal that has too much stuff on the sides by going counter-clockwise from the top. When working in S&M, a small twist of the Width control can really make the detail sparkle.

In addition to enhancing stereo mixes, stereo instrument tracks, and creating interesting effects from subtle to not-so-subtle, the S&M is incredibly powerful when used to correct tracking and mixing oversights. You want to fix a mix that has too much low-mid content on the bass guitar but not enough kick drum. At the same time, the guitars on the sides need some low end to give them some beef. Solved this with an EQ in about 1 minute by dialing out 140Hz and adding 50Hz and 3kHz on the middle (left) channel, and adding 160Hz shelving to the sides (right) channel. Instant mix fix with the turn of a knob and the push of a button. Pretty cool!

Dynamics can be modified, as well. You have a pair of room mics on the drums that sound really great when they are turned up in the mix but the snare is too loud. Hook a limiter into the S&M loop and set the attack time to be really quick and dial the middle (left) threshold down until the snare sits comfortably.

Mastering engineers can also benefit from S&M. You're mastering a track and everything comes alive when you crank in a bunch of top end but the vocal is now cracking you eardrums. Hook a De-esser to the loop and solve that problem in 15 seconds or less.

Dangerous Music Sum & Minus Features:

• Frequency response: 1Hz - 100 kHz within 0.1dB
  
• THD+Noise: 0.003%
  
• IMD60 4:1: 0.004%
  
• Sum and Minus channel separation: -78dB
  
• Width control accuracy: 0.02dB
  
• Dynamic range: 108dB
  
• Maximum level: +23dBu
  
• Nominal operating level: +4dBu
  
• Power consumption: 20 watts

You won't believe what Dangerous Music's Sum & Minus can do to your mixes!

Specification Detail Manufacturer Part Number Sum and Minus

What Does "Special Order" Mean? A special-order product is one that we don't normally keep in stock. We order it from the manufacturer as soon as you order from us. We have great relationships with all the manufacturers we carry, so we can get your special order to you as fast as or faster than anyone else. Remember that special orders are non-returnable and non-cancelable, so make sure the item is right for you. A Sweetwater Sales Engineer can help you decide - call (800) 222-4700 for assistance!