Advanced Mid-side Processing Made Easy
Prized by audio pros for its coherent phasing and bulletproof mono compatibility, mid-side processing — also known as M-S, vertical/lateral, or sum/difference — is a stereo encoding/decoding technique that opens up a tasty menu of image enhancement possibilities. Mid-side processing has long been used in vinyl disc mastering for widening the stereo soundstage as well as for tightening and centering the low end by summing only the bass frequencies to mono. Now, there’s a versatile tool for the modern studio that does all this and more. The TK Audio M/S Station is a multifunction mastering and main bus processing device for engineers and producers who want to use mid-side processing to achieve punchy and dimensional mixes that translate to the world outside their studio.
Related Videos: M/S Station Mid-side Processor
Quick and intuitive to use
The TK Audio M/S Station is designed for quick and intuitive operation. It has four discrete functions divided into two linkable control sections, in addition to a comprehensive cue section for easy monitoring. Section 1 is a parallel insert with M-S functionality, while section 2 consists of three parts: an Elliptical EQ, a Width control, and the Cue function. The two control sections are normally linked; however, if you want to deploy the sections at different points in your signal chain, you can unlink them by removing four jumpers inside the chassis. The M/S Station’s 16-detent rotary switches ensure precise settings and fast, accurate recall.
Parallel inserts and blends
Being able to apply, for instance, EQ or compression only to specific areas of a finished stereo mix is a powerful mastering technique that maximizes the effectiveness of hardware processing units you already own. In the M/S Station’s Blend Split mode, you can process the Mid and Side signals independently through external processors using the parallel mid-side inserts and blend the processed and dry signals to taste. This facilitates, for example, compressing your mids for a punchier mid signal and adding a bit of reverb to your sides to enliven the wider mix elements without affecting your center-panned bass or kick drum. In M-S mode, the blend function occurs before the signal is decoded back to left/right.
Elliptical EQ and Stereo Width for surgical sound sculpting
M/S Station’s Elliptical EQ lets you select the frequency at which all signals will be summed to mono, up to 302Hz in 16 steps. This is perfect for tightening up and providing focus to the bottom end of a mix while ensuring that it will translate to a wide variety of playback systems without low-end phase collapse thanks to the phase-shift correction built into the Elliptical EQ’s highpass filter. You can think of the unit’s dedicated Stereo Width control as a space command center that lets you dial in everything from a luscious, ultra-wide soundstage to monaural.
Comprehensive monitoring of any stage of the signal chain
M/S Station’s passive cue functionality allows you to hear your signal at any stage in its processing chain. It’s equipped with dedicated controls that let you monitor the left, right, mid, or side signals independently of one another — and even the parallel inserts return signal or the low frequencies processed by the Elliptical EQ! Sweetwater’s take: The M/S Station is a well-designed and meticulously thought-out piece of kit no studio should be without. Polish your recordings into professional, radio-ready product with the TK Audio M/S Station!
TK Audio M/S Station Mid-side Processor Features:
- Advanced mid-side processor with parallel inserts, Elliptical EQ, and comprehensive cueing
- 2 parallel, stereo inserts for independent mid-side processing via external hardware
- Independent, stepped Mid and Side blend controls
- Elliptical EQ for creating low-end mono signals
- Width control from mono to extra wide
- Advanced cue function for monitoring the signal at nearly every step in its path
- 16-detent rotary switches for precise settings and easy recall
- Max input and output: +26dBu
- Dynamic range: 119dB
- Frequency response: 20Hz–80kHz (+/-0.1dB)
- Internal power supply, 115V/230V selectable
