Channel Mixer

Channel Mixer swaps, mixes, inverts, or combines the left and right channels in a variety of ways. The left and right channels are replaced with a mixed combination of both channels, depending on the volume levels. All selected left and right channels of a multichannel file are processed in pairs. The Center and LFE channels are not affected.

Channel Mixer Settings
Group	Setting	Description
Left channel	Left volume (%)	Sets the percentage of volume of the original left channel to mix in the final left channel.
	Right volume (%)	Sets the percentage of volume of the original right channel to mix in the final left channel.
Right channel	Left volume (%)	Sets the percentage of volume of the original left channel to mix in the final right channel.
	Right volume (%)	Sets the percentage of volume of the original right channel to mix in the final right channel.

See Also: Reduce Vocals, Pan, Balance fader, Presets

MaxMatch

MaxMatch automatically balances the left and right channels and maximizes the volume levels. Essentially, this effect uses the Match Volume effect internally on the left and right channels, then uses the Maximize Volume effect. After processing, the left and right channels will have the same average volume level and at least one channel will have full dynamic range (1.0 or 0dB).

Note that it is rarely possible for all channels to have the same average and full dynamic range at the same time. Most channels will have a dynamic range of slightly less than 1.0 or 0dB.

Pan

Pan uses Shape Controls to dynamically adjust the stereo balance of the sound. The shape graph is divided into green and red regions, representing the left and right channels respectively. All selected left and right channels are processed in pairs. The shape line, initially located between the regions, is the center for panning. Bend and/or move the line to dynamically alter the balance. The figures below show a couple of examples of panning shapes.

Figure: Pan from left to right

Figure: Pan from left center to right center

There are two end points on the pan shape line by default. Use the Point box to select the point to edit. The X and Y values control the location of the selected point. X is the time and Y is the amount of panning. A positive Y value pans to the left. A negative value pans to the right. For end points, only Y can be changed. X is fixed at the beginning and ending of the selection.

Use the Add Point button to insert a new point between the two end points. Note that the point numbers change, with point 3 as the end point and point 2 as the new one. Both the X and Y values can be changed for that point. To make panning go slightly left at 10 seconds into the file, for example, set X to 10.0 and Y to a positive value, such as 0.25. When adding points, be sure to select the point after which you want to insert the new point. The X value for each point is confined to adjacent points.

Show balance calculates and displays the current peak balance in yellow on the graph. For a typically stereo song, a spiked line roughly centered around zero would appear. For a 2 channel mono file, it would be a perfectly flat line at zero. For an unbalanced file, the line would be above or below zero.

Change volume only limits the pan effect to volume changes only. Normally panning mixes the left and right channels to alter the balance. This setting prevents any mixing and only changes the relative volumes of the channels.

See Also: Shape Volume, Balance fader, Presets

Reduce Vocals

Reduce Vocals reduces vocals in stereo recording by subtracting the left and right channels and by using a bandstop filter. A true stereo file is required with mono vocals in the left and right channels. Any variation of the vocals in the left and right channels prevents perfectly removal. Any instruments that are identical in the left and right channels are removed as well.

To extact the vocals and remove the music, use Stereo Center instead.

Reduce Vocals Settings
Group	Setting	Description
Channel cancellation volume	Volume (dB)	Sets the volume of the subtracted channels in the final output.
Bandstop filter volume and range	Volume (dB)	Sets the volume of the bandstop filter in the final output. This is mixed with the subtracted channels to restore some of the stereo music.
	From (Hz), To (Hz)	Sets the range of the bandstop filter. A narrow range retains more of the music, but removes less of the vocals. A wider range retains less of the music, but removes more of the vocals.

Usually subtracting the left and right channels destroys the stereo sound, giving mono output. By using the bandstop filter, the effect is able to retain some of the low and high end stereo, enhancing the output.

Try the presets to learn what the different settings do.

See Also: Channel Mixer, Stereo Center, Presets

Stereo Center

Stereo Center uses a frequency based method to separate vocals from music or to separate the perceived stereo center subchannel from the side subchannels and allows independent volume control of all subchannels.

Stereo Center Settings
Group	Setting	Description
Center channel	Volume (dB)	Sets the volume of the perceived center subchannel, which usually is the vocals. To keep the vocals and remove the side subchannels, set this volume to 0.0dB and the side subchannel volumes below to -100dB (off).
	From (Hz), To (Hz)	Sets the range of the filter used to extract the center subchannel. Any frequencies outside the range are excluded from the center subchannel. To retain bass and treble when adjusting the volume of the vocals, use a range from about 200Hz to 12500Hz.
Side channels	Left (dB)	Sets the volume of the left side subchannel.
	Right (dB)	Sets the volume of the right side subchannel.
FFT Settings	FFT Size, Overlap	See FFT Settings.

Credit: Part of this effect uses a method by the developer of virtualdub.

See Also: Channel Mixer, Reduce Vocals, Presets