This week's featured free plug-in from our free plug-ins database is bx_solo from brainworx. A useful utility plugin that offers quick access to the mid and sides information in a stereo signal allowing easy manipulation of the width of a signal, from mono out to super-wide.
Brainworx created bx_solo to introduce users to the M/S technique for recording, mixing, or mastering. It offers a way to access the mono button many Pro Tools users would like to see added to the Pro Tools mixer and several other useful facilities including easy left-right channel swapping, useful for checking whether a sound is centred in your stereo field, and an easy way to manipulate the stereo width of your recording.
bx_solo is also a powerful tool for checking your tracks or mixes for errors, noises, clicks and other problems. bx_solo contains a stepped M/S Stereo Width Control, so you can get a sense of how M/S can be used to expand the stereo width of tracks already recorded. Try it out on subgroups, FX returns, keyboards, or any stereo track that you’d like to spread out.
Changing the stereo width in Midside Matrix is as simple as boosting or cutting the side signal. If you want to make a stereo source wider then try a +6dB sides boost. Need to make something mono? — just mute the sides altogether.
Sign Up Required
To get the free Midside Matrix plug-in you will need to create a free account with Plugin Alliance.
bx_solo is available for Mac and Windows in AU, VST and AAX.