glossary
Mid-side compression lets the center and sides react differently.
Mid-side compression converts stereo audio into a center channel and a side channel, then applies compression to one or both parts before converting back to stereo.
It can control a vocal, kick, bass, or snare in the center without pulling down wide guitars, reverbs, or synths in exactly the same way.
A small amount of mid compression can steady the center image. Side compression can tame wide effects or keep choruses from becoming too splashy.
Heavy settings can shift stereo balance, exaggerate ambience, or make the mix collapse when summed to mono.
Use mid-side compression for a specific balance problem, then check gain matching, stereo correlation, and mono compatibility. The benefit should remain when the processing is bypassed at matched loudness.
Meter Core helps you watch width-related level changes while keeping loudness and peak readings in view.