Mastering Voxengo MSED: A Complete Stereo Encoder/Decoder Guide

Voxengo MSED — Mid/Side Processing Tutorial (concise guide)

What MSED does

• Encodes a stereo L/R signal into Mid (L+R) and Side (L−R), and decodes Mid/Side back to L/R.
• Useful for widening/narrowing stereo image, separate processing of center vs. sides, phase/mono checking, and extracting mid or side content.
• Includes stereo correlation, balance meter, and a “plasma” vector scope.

Modes & basic workflow

1. Encode mode — insert on a stereo track/bus to convert L/R → Mid (left) / Side (right).
2. Process — apply EQ, compression, modulation, etc., on Mid and Side channels independently (use separate plugin instances, inline mode, or route to two aux tracks).
3. Decode mode — insert on the output (or after processing) to convert Mid/Side → L/R.

Alternatively: use inline mode to adjust Mid/Side gain/pan without separate encode/decode chain.

Common tasks and settings

• Isolate Mid (center) or Side: use the Mid mute / Side mute switches to solo either component.
• Widen stereo: increase Side level (gain). Reduce Side to mono. Moderate boosts only — extreme Side gain risks phase/cancellation.
• Narrow stereo / mono-safe: reduce or mute Side. Check mono compatibility by summing to mono and watching correlation meter.
• EQ Mid vs Side: cut competing frequencies in Side (e.g., low end) to tighten low-center energy; boost presence in Mid for vocals.
• Use