Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/491542
www.postmagazine.com 47 POST APRIL 2015 REVIEW behind the VisLM-H system. STEREO AND SOUNDSCAPING Visualizer is a comprehensive meter- ing and analysis tool. It can be used as a plug-in and a standalone solution. Contrary to other such tools, Visualizer contains every analysis scope or graph you can think of, including vectorscope, stereo spectrogram and spectrum ana- lyzer, correlation by frequency and more. Monofilter is a stereo width and phase correlation plug-in control for low fre- quencies exclusively. The controls allow you to set lowest and highest frequencies areas. The narrower you make the lowest frequencies area, the more centred these frequencies will sound and vice versa. The slope between the narrow and large area can be made quite vertical — abruptly changing stereo width — or gradual. In addition, this plug-in offers phase correlation control and analysis on input with the ability to shift phase and adjust phase correlation of left and right output, alongside an analysis. Stereoizer is especially suited for creating stereo images that are also mono-compatible. It's unique in that it has controls for inter-aural intensity difference (IID) and inter-aural time difference (IIT) settings. You can also set linear width. A dynamics section introduces movement into the stereo spectrum. The controls modulate the IIT and IID algorithms. Whereas Stereoizer is somewhat like a traditional stereo spread plug-in, Stereoplacer is another unique plug- in for stereo realignment, correction and redistribution. This plug-in offers a window that looks like an EQ window with frequencies along the X-axis, but with the decibel values along the y-axis representing values to the left respec- tively right channel. In this window, you can create as many control points as needed. Dragging a control point to the top makes those frequencies come from the left more and vice versa. Finally, the Post Pack includes the SEQ-S linear phase spline and match EQ, which is capable of up to 7.1 sound, ste- reo mid-side operation and automated spectrum analysis. As with many of Nugen Audio's plug-ins, SEQ-S isn't your average EQ. It's a linear phase EQ, which means the phase shift is linear across the frequen- cy spectrum. Traditional EQ algorithms use a mathematical technique known as Infinite Impulse Response (IIR). This provides low CPU usage but there is an important side effect known as Phase Warping. This is the distortion of the rela- tionship between frequency and phase. The computational algorithm used in SEQ-S is based on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), a much more involved process. FFT transforms the audio data in the frequency domain before apply- ing frequency related computations and then transforming back into the tempo- ral domain. The advantage is that the frequency and temporal relationship re- mains intact, which is what we call linear phase transformation. The audible result is that any adjustment creates a clearer sound, a much more transparent EQ. While Phase Warping also affects clarity of transients (Phase Smearing), linear phase calculations do not suffer from this, producing a sharper audio image. In every day use, SEQ-S has the distinct advantage of being extremely simple to use, with, for example, the ability to draw the EQ curve directly with a mouse or pen/tablet. Finally, SEQ-S is a Match EQ, which allows you to match the EQ spectrum of a source section of audio with a target piece. While previous experience with SEQ-S had already convinced me of the high quality of Nugen Audio's technology, the Post Pack only strengthens that opinion. I can understand why many broadcast companies use Nugen Audio to comply with worldwide loudness standards. And I can also understand why music producers swear by the stereo plug-ins to create mono-compatible stereo files that allow listeners to close their eyes and "see" every instrument in space by simply listening to the music on a good pair of speakers. Post Pack is home to eight modules, some of which can be used as standalone applications.