Brainworx Bx_control Instructions de montage

bx_control

Control Listening and Monitoring Instrument

M/S Matrix with Mono Maker and Stereo Width Control

MANUAL

-for SCOPE systems

Brainworx Music & Media GmbH

Hitdorfer Str. 10

40764 Langenfeld

[email protected]

INDEX

1.Whatisthebx_control? 3

2.WhatisM/Stechnology??? 3

3. What is M/S good for in MIX & MASTERING ??? 4

4. Features of the bx_control 4

5.OverviewandDetails 5

6. How do I get started with the bx_control in a

typical mastering, recording or mixing session? 12

a. RECORDING M/S microphone signals with the bx_control: 12

b. using the bx_control on various elements of your MIX SESSION: 13

c. using the bx_control in a standard L/R mastering session: 14

d. using the bx_control in a M/S mastering session: 15

(2 instances of the bx_control operate as an M/S MASTRIX for OTHER tools)

e. the bx_control as a pure CONTROL LISTENING INSTRUMENT: 16

7.PROTIPP:GUImodes 17

8.Troubleshooting 18

1. What is the bx_control?

We at BRAINWORX manufacture hi end analogue hardware audio tools

and digital solutions for pro audio users.

The bx_control is a handy control listening tool with built-in sophisticated

features in M/S technique for digital sequencer surroundings. It will work

with any host program that allows for the use of RTAS, VST and / or AU

plug-ins. We will explain what “M/S technique” is in just a few lines from

here – and then take a close look at the features of the bx_control.

2. What is M/S technology ???

Most people who are into recording music know about the M/S

microphone technique where you have 2 different microphones for Mid &

Side signals. Recording a signal with M/S microphone technique means to

create a stereo (L/R) signal by mixing the M and the S signal together in a

special way that will create a very mono-compatible stereo signal.

To record in M/S you have to feed the M-signal to the Left and the Right

channel of your mix while the S-Signal will be fed phase-correct (“in

phase”) to the Left channel and phase-reversed (“out of phase”) to the

Right channel.

This means you will have to split the S-signal and use a total of 3 channels

for only 2 microphones that will be mixed together to a conventional

stereo-signal. The bx_control can do all that work for you, just feed it with

the separate M- and S-microphone signals and “bounce” them into L/R

stereo “on the fly” and without even dealing with this scenario… (although

we strongly recommend learning at least the BASICS about M/S

technology when using it!).

In addition to the possibilities mentioned above there also is a way of

separating any stereo signal into its M (MONO SUM) and S (STEREO

DIFFERENCE) components, and this can be done with the bx_control as

well, of course.

The bx_control can also be used to serve as an “M/S matrix” to use ANY

other stereo (2-channel) plug-in in M/S technique while using the unique

tools and features of the bx_control, such as MONO MAKER, M/S STEREO

WIDTH CONTROL, SOLO BUTTONS, etc.

For additional details about M/S technique you may have a look into every

decent book about recording basics if you want to learn more about the

background and basics of this technique.

3. What is M/S good for in MIXING & MASTERING ???

Well, it may sound simple, but the bx_control (like our critically acclaimed

M/S Mastering and Recording EQ bx_digital!) has a built-in M/S matrix

that will separate ANY stereo signal into its mono sum and the stereo

difference signals. This means that after separating M & S you are then

able to separately control these 2 signals with other tools (EQs, dynamics,

etc.) - which can be very useful when you work on a stereo signal or mix

that has certain "problems" or if you just want to enhance certain

elements in a stereo signal or a complete mix.

Ever tried to cut high frequencies of a mix to reduce the "essing" of the

lead vocals and AT THE SAME TIME boost high frequencies of your

harmony instruments (guitars, keyboards, pianos, etc… most likely

recorded or mixed in stereo)???

Well, if you separate the M and the S parts of a mix and use some

additional tools (EQs, dynamics, etc.) you can do exactly THAT!

4. Features of the bx_control:

- Individual SWITCHES for input and output (L/R or M/S) let you

determine how the bx_control will work

- L/R flip – easily swap left and right channels of any stereo signal or

master sum (mix).

- Innovative SOLO BUTTONS: listen to the essential “parts” of your stereo

signals phase-corrected on BOTH speakers.

oSelect LEFT channel (L), RIGHT channel (R), MONO SUM (M) or

STEREO DIFFERENCE (S).

- BALANCE CONTROL: balance out any mix so the MONO signals that

SHOULD BE in the center are centered properly FOR SURE.

- MONO MAKER: our unique tool to easily mono out your stereo signal in

the bass frequencies, adjustable from 20Hz up to 22 kHz(!)

- STEREO WIDTH Control: M/S width, adjustable with 1 knob from “0”

(mono) up to 400%.

- BALANCE METER: will SHOW you if your mix is well centered

- CORRELATION METER: will SHOW you if the phases of your stereo

signals are correct.

- Hi-Res LED METERING: PEAK and RMS metering, switchable L/R or M/S,

with switchable PEAK HOLD.

5. Overview and Details

bx_control - Screenshot

click here to get info (version no etc) about the bx_control

- SCROLL WHEEL CONTROL: place your mouse above any knob and

turn the mouse wheel to increase / decrease values.

- Individual BYPASS: click on ANY FEATURE LABELING to switch it ON

(WHITE letters!) or OFF (GREY letters!). Very handsome feature to

COMPARE your settings with the unprocessed signal, e.g. to monitor

the METER TOOLS while adjusting / comparing your settings. Also,

any bypassed feature of the bx_control will not use any CPU / DSP

power.

OVER LEDs

- will indicate internal CLIPPING.

- RESET them by clicking RED LEDs

obright RED LED: signal is clipping RIGHT NOW

odark RED LED: one or more clippings have occurred since last

LED-Reset.

oALL LEDs grey: no clipping has occurred, signal level is fine.

- CLIPPING may occur by MONO MAKER or STEREO WIDTH use with

normalized signals (0dB) because these functions may BOOST

levels, depending on their settings (see 5 & 6 for details).

- In case of clippings occuring turn down the GAIN knob (10).

- The upper LED is the MASTER CLIP LED. It will be “glowing” when

either the L or R clip LEDs will show alerts. Reseting the master will

also reset the other (L & R) clipping LEDs.

1. INPUT & OUTPUT selectors

-INPUT L/R: the bx_control will assume that the signal fed into

the unit is in L/R format

-INPUT M/S: the bx_control will assume that the signal fed into

the unit is in M/S format

-OUTPUT L/R: the bx_control will output L/R format

-OUTPUT M/S: the bx_control will output M/S format

Always set INPUT and OUTPUT switches to the proper format, unless you

want to use the bx_control for sound design.

use bx_control as an M/S MATRIX:

When you intend to use the bx_control as an “M/S matrix” (to use other

plug-ins in M/S mode), simply place any stereo plug-in (actually, double

mono units work best, so you can adjust M & S individually…) in between

2 (two!) instances of the bx_control.

Plug-In No1 / Insert 1:

bx_control as M/S ENCODER (set INPUT to L/R, OUTPUT to M/S)

Plug-In No 2 / Insert 2:

any other stereo plug-in(s) - (double mono versions are best to

adjust M & S individually)

Plug-IN NO 3 / Insert 3:

bx_control as M/S DECODER (set INPUT to M/S, OUTPUT to L/R)

As long as INPUT & OUTPUT formats are set properly you can use any

funtion of the bx_control in any combination as the internal signal flow will

follow the setting logically. This will also work on either the ENCODER and

/ or DECODER when 2 instances of the bx_control are used as an “M/S

matrix”.

2. L/R FLIP (swap left and right channel)

-when lit the LED indicates that LEFT and RIGHT channel have

been reversed (swapped).

3. SOLO buttons

-with these SOLO buttons you can listen to any element of your

stereo mix (stereo signal), mono-ed out (for L, R, M & S) and

phase-corrected (for SOLO S only), and on BOTH SPEAKERS.

-You can also “extract” certain elements of your mix with these

knobs easily, for example try recording or bouncing the SOLO S

signal for REMIX purposes… which will give you a phase-corrected

mono-signal of only the stereo information (keyboards, stereo,

guitars, FX sounds, etc.)!!!

4. BALANCE CONTROL

-with this knob you can “tilt” the whole stereo image conveniently.

-to balance out a stereo mix perfectly you can monitor the

BALANCE METER LEDs (see 8!) and adjust the BALANCE

CONTROL knob until your mix is CENTERED.

-most mixes that come from ANALOGUE MIX CONSOLES or

went through analogue outboard equipment (compressors,

EQs, etc.) are NOT balanced perfectly. With the bx_control

and its BALANCE CONTROL knob (plus the corresponding LED

meters, see 8) you can easily fix that.

-the easiest way to “center” a mix is to listen to SOLO S

while adjusting the BALANCE CONTROL. When all parts of the

mix that are supposed to be centered (bass-drum, bass, lead

vocals, etc.) are NOT audible during SOLO S your mix IS

centered properly!

5. MONO MAKER (via internal M/S technique)

-a true BRAINWORX invention… simply adjust the threshold

frequency with the MONO MAKER knob and your stereo mix /

stereo signal will be MONO up to that frequency automatically!

The MONO MAKER will get rid of all the stereo information below

the frequency you set it to - and COMPENSATE for the potential

LOSS in the overall bass audio impression automatically!

-In bx_control the MONO MAKER goes up to 26 kHz(!), so it is

actually possible to make a mix MONO completely.

6. STEREO WIDTH CONTROL (via internal M/S technique!)

-adjust the stereo width of any stereo mix or stereo signal.

-Leaving the STEREO WIDTH at 100% will not change the width of

your stereo signal.

-INCREASING the value (101% - 400%) will make your mix /

signal sound WIDER. Be CAREFUL: setting the STEREO WIDTH

CONTROL too high can cause serious phase problems!

-DECREASING (99% - 1%) will make your mix / signal less wide.

Setting the MONO MAKER below 1% will display MONO. Now your

mix / signal is COMPLETELY MONO.

TIPPS for STEREO WIDTH CONTROL & MONO MAKER use:

-TRY increasing the STEREO WIDTH (see 6!) of a stereo

signal (such as a guitar or keyboard sub-group or FX return!)

until your CORRELATION METER (see 7!) indicates phase

problems (goes into the RED…). NOW: turn the MONO MAKER

up to about 300 or 500 Hz (even higher if needed, this will

depend on the actual signal being “played”) and watch the

CORRELATION METER go back to GREEN, indicating that your

phases are ok again!

-This way it is actually possible to SPREAD stereo images

much further than with any other stereo expansion tool (that

we knew of before inventing the MONO MAKER ☺) – but

WITHOUT running into the phase problems usually arising out

of more or less “heavy” stereo image manipualations, or at

least much less...

-the bx_control is the PERFECT WEAPON to be inserted into

ANY stereo sub-group of a mix session and will drastically

improve your possiblilities to increase your stereo width of any

stereo signal.

7. CORRELATION METER LEDs

-a standard CORRELATION METER tool to monitor the phases (and

potential phase problems!) of your stereo mix / signal.

-- 1 means your mix / signal is OUT OF PHASE (180°).

-+1 means your mix / signal is IN PHASE (0°).

-“0” (zero) means that there is either:

-no signal present

-signal on only ONE channel

-phases of L&R channels are shifted exactly 90°.

-a regular (and proper) stereo mix will make the

CORRELATIONS METERS oscillate between 0 and +1 while SHORT

flashes of the RED LEDs (negative values) can usually be ignored.

-PERMANENT RED LEDs will indicate heavy phase problems in

the mix / signal and should be taken serious.

-Try the MONO MAKER to cure any phase problems you might

find listening to your mix or monitoring the CORRELATION METER

LEDs. The higher you set the MONO MAKER FREQUENCY the

more mono your mix will be, and the less phase problems should

occur in your stereo mix / signal.

8. STEREO BALANCE METER LEDs

-the STEREO BALANCE METER LEDs will show you if your mix is well

balanced – or louder on either the left or the right channel.

-You can adjust the STEREO BALANCE with the BALANCE CONTROL

knob (see 4).

9. HIGH RESOLUTION PEAK & RMS LEDs

-will display PEAK and RMS OUTPUT levels of either the LEFT &

RIGHT channel (L/R mode) or the MONO SUM & STEREO

DIFFERENCE SIGNAL (M/S mode).

-you may SWITCH the meter between L/R mode and M/S mode

with the METER M/S switch. A BLUE LED will indicate the meters

displaying M/S meters. This will also be shown by the LABELING

on the left side (next to the LEDs).

-The METER LEDs will FOLLOW the OUTPUT SWITCH (L/R or M/S,

see 1!) whenever the OUTPUT SWITCH is being toggled – but you

can always change to the opposite metering manually.

-Toggling between L/R and M/S METERING will NOT AFFECT the

output signal. This way you can monitor M/S levels while listening

to L/R mixes, monitor M/S while listening to M/S signals or any

opposite possibility.

-PEAK HOLD: when switched on (default setting!) the LEDs will

display the maximum values for 3 seconds before internally

getting reseted. PEAK HOLD can be switched off manually.

-The LITTLE RED marks above and underneath the RMS LEDs

are placed at -9dBU. Usually any stereo mix that is permanently

LOUDER (more compressed) than this level will sound very

aggressive and in most cases too “squashed”. Even with the

LOUDNESS WAR going on out there (☺) try to be RATIONAL with

the levels. Sound first, please…

-It´s not about how LOUD you get it.. it´s about HOW

you get it loud!

-(I have to admit that I read this slogan in some kind of

magazine article from a “mastering guru” a few years ago and

liked it a lot… but (forgive me!) I don´t recall anymore who it

was! if YOU know it let me know and I´ll change the

manual… deal?*)

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