RME HDSPe AIO [64/81] Ms processing

User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME

Unfortunately, very often it is not possible within the record software to assign a different input

channel to an existing track 'on the fly'. The loopback mode solves this problem elegantly. The

routing scheme stays the same, with the input channel 1 sent to any output via TotalMix, to the

Compressor, from the Compressor back to any input. Now this input signal is routed directly to

output 1, and output 1 is then switched into loopback mode via Ctrl-mouse.

As explained in chapter 26.5, the hardware input of channel 1 now no longer feeds the record

software, but is still connected to TotalMix (and thus to the Compressor). The record software

receives the signal of submix channel 1 instead – the Compressor's return path.

26.7 MS Processing

The mid/side principle is a special positioning technique for microphones, which results in a mid

signal on one channel and a side signal on the other channel. These information can be trans-

formed back into a stereo signal quite easily. The process sends the monaural mid channel to

left and right, the side channel too, but phase inverted (180°) to the right channel. For a better

understanding: the mid channel represents the function L+R, while the side channel represents

L-R.

During record the monitoring needs to be done

in 'conventional' stereo. As TotalMix can invert

the phase, it also offers the functionality of a

M/S-decoder. The menu Options includes a

macro to simplify the setup. First select the two

input channels, in the picture to the right ADAT

In 3 and 4, having the current routing destination

ADAT Out 1+2. Now the string MS Processing In

3+4 to Out 1+2 On is shown in Options.

After a mouse click TotalMix sets gains and pans correctly. Of course

these settings can also be performed manually. Repeat the last step to

remove all routings (menu Options ...Off).

The M/S-Processing automatically operates as M/S encoder or decoder, depending on the

source signal format. When processing a usual stereo signal, all monaural information will be

shifted into the left channel, all stereo information into the right channel. Thus the stereo signal

is M/S encoded. This yields some interesting insights into the mono/stereo contents of modern

music productions. Additionally some very interesting methods of manipulating the stereo base

and generating stereo effects come up, as it is then very easy to process the side channel with

Low Cut, Expander, Compressor or Delay. The most basic application is already available di-

rectly in TotalMix: Changing the level of the side channel allows to manipulate the stereo width

from mono to stereo up to extended, stepless and in real-time.