App: Mid-Side Continuum
Developer: quantovox
Genres: Music, Productivity

Ever wonder what lies between the L/R and M/S representations?
Mid-Side Continuum extends the definition of mid-side encoding to create a smooth, continuous interval allowing in-between values and gradual changes. Channel mode switches can now be turned into faders, opening up new modulation possibilities as well.
The algorithm used by the plugin is a true extension of the mid-side encoder/decoder concept and doesn't involve any cross-fading or other artificial constructs.

The plugin can be used in two ways:
• In standalone mode, as a width-preserving panning effect, or a special modulation effect for spatially balanced sounds
• In paired mode, allowing other effects to operate anywhere between L/R and M/S modes, with modulation options available

FEATURES:
• Provides a new kind of spatial modulation effect for stereo signals
• Can be used as a panner that doesn't squash wide components (existing ambience, reverb, stereo FX), strongly panning narrow parts at the same time
• A great companion for delays or delay-based effects: explore adding space or change the panoramic character without re-configuring delay taps
• Turn any stereo effect or effects chain into a M/S one (or any graduation on the L/R - M/S curve), by sandwiching them between a pair of Mid-Side Continuum instances
• Unlike panning, stereo panning, or binaural panning, Mid-Side Continuum preserves the exact geometry of the stereo field by using a lossless transform
• Higher rates of change can be used to create additional kinds of effects (chorus, warble/flutter), depending on the width characteristics of the original input
• A tempo sync capable LFO is available to add automatic modulation; the LFO phase can be offset to allow precise timing control and alignment

THE PANNER FOR REVERB-RICH SOUNDS:
Panning high-ambience and reverb-rich sounds need no longer result in squashed stereo images. The exact, full width of the stereo field is preserved when using Mid-Side Continuum as a panning tool. Unlike binaural panning, the overall stereo frequency response is kept maximally flat, thanks to the used algorithm's audio engineering-focused feature set. In fact, Mid-Side Continuum's algorithm is a lossless, completely reversible one (based on True Pan's technology).

WRAP ANY EFFECT TO CHANGE / MODULATE THEIR STEREO MODE:
Two Mid-Side Continuum instances can be conveniently linked in a way that the second one cancels out the transformation, restoring the original sound. Once linked, the second plugin will automatically re-align if parameters are changed in the first one, without missing a single sample.
Between these two points, any number of audio effects can be inserted, all of which will receive the transformed signal instead of the original L/R one. This setup can be used in multiple ways: either to just turn any stereo plugin into a M/S one, or to modulate the stereo field of the wet signals (while keeping the dry signal intact) without the need for setting up additional routing, thus keeping tracks neatly self-contained.

VERSATILE EXTENSION TO DELAY-BASED EFFECTS:
• Alter stereo delay patterns or turn a mono multi-tap delay into a stereo one on the fly
• Instead of having to choose from the two, explore any setting between L/R and M/S delay modes to select the best-fitting stereo response
• Remove excessive L/R slappiness without losing any stereo width by spatially equalizing the delay output, filling in directions not populated by L/R taps
• Improve the clarity of the mid channel / mono mix when combining panned delays with shorter notes or more rhythmic passages
• Lessen any "clockwork-like" quality of panned delays that may be experienced with some instruments or passages
• Change or fine-tune delay patterns that emerge in the mono mix when using stereo delays

PLEASE NOTE:
• An Audio Unit v3 compatible host app is required to use this plugin

Release notes:
• Resolved issues around accessing the online User's Guide