Keith_W Posted October 15, 2016 Posted October 15, 2016 About a year back, I started doing research into my HTPC. I wanted to tackle it from a different angle, and use tools that the pros use. This was when I became aware of VST. I did a search on SNA but could not find any previous topics on VST so I thought I would start one. VST stands for "Virtual Studio Technology". These are DSP filters that can add all sorts of effects to your music. To use it, you need software that can accept VST plug-ins. Most pro audio players are able to accept VST plug-ins, and so can the "big daddy" of consumer audio software - JRiver. All you need to do is download the VST plug-in, install the .DLL's, and tell JRiver where the .DLL's are. Some are free, some are paid, but most are available for you to try before buying. Here are a few that I have tried so far, along with listening impressions. MSED https://www.voxengo.com/product/msed/ Voxengo's Mid-Side Encoder plugin works like Carver's Sonic Hologram encoder and BSG's $3995 q0l Signal Completion Stage (link here), except that it is free. It works by analysing the audio signal and separating the channels into signals that are common to the L/R channel (mid), and the signals that are different (side). You can then play with the relative levels of mid and side and create a wider soundstage. The effect of this plugin is really interesting. When you mute the middle, the middle of your soundstage seems to disappear. Mute the sides, and it sounds like a mono recording (because that is effectively what it is). As always, when applied in the extreme the effect is phasey and artificial so a gentle hand is the key. I found that leaving the mid gain at 0, and increasing the side gain to 1.5 in my system really increased the soundstage width. Stereo Widener Plugin https://www.voxengo.com/product/stereotouch/ This plugin works for mono recordings. It converts a mono signal into stereo, then applies mid/side processing as per MSED. You are then able to create an "echo" that gives the perception of more expansive sound. You can set the amount of delay for the echo, as well as the level. If you max out the delay and the level, the effect is weird - it is as if your music is played twice. Hear a transient, and within a quarter or third of a second you will hear the same transient. I was not able to make this plugin work convincingly with stereo recordings, but with very moderate settings and a mono recording it does have the effect of widening the soundstage. Tube amp Plugin https://www.voxengo.com/product/tubeamp/ This plugin simulates a tube amp. If you increase the "Drive", you will simulate dynamic compression and clipping of a tube amp, similar to how valve electric guitar amps clip. The "bias" seems to increase the richness of the sound, probably by adding harmonics into the mix. Fun to play with but ultimately unconvincing. Mastering Grade Graphic Equalizer Plugin https://www.voxengo.com/product/marvelgeq/ Much superior to the built-in graphic equalizer that comes with JRiver. Arguably not needed when you have a system like mine which has already been linearized with a target curve using DSP, but fun to play with. You can turn the bass up to earsplitting levels. And if you are designing target curves, you can apply some equalization to help preview what your intended target curve is going to sound like. Ambio.One Ambiophonics Processor http://weldroid.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/ambiophonics-processor-vst-ambioone.html This one I haven't tried yet! There have been threads on SNA about the Ambiophonics processor. Well, this one is free to download and try. Unfortunately, to gain the full effect, the speakers need to be positioned closely together. My speakers are 110kg monsters and are not easily moved, so I will have to try it with the speakers where they are. I might try this with the desktop system upstairs, where I have two computer speakers which weigh less than a kg each.
marten Posted December 9, 2017 Posted December 9, 2017 Just looking around at DSP options and stumbled onto this year old post. Thanks Keith, very good post, quite informative. 2
LogicprObe Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 On 10/12/2017 at 10:45 AM, marten said: Just looking around at DSP options and stumbled onto this year old post. Thanks Keith, very good post, quite informative. It is. I missed it first time around as well. 1
Keith_W Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 Glad you guys are looking into this. I haven't played with any VST plugins since I made that post. If you have discovered something interesting, please post here
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted January 4, 2018 Volunteer Posted January 4, 2018 Keith, did you ever try the Ambiophonics plugin? I've always been interested in this but never tried it myself
LogicprObe Posted January 4, 2018 Posted January 4, 2018 6 hours ago, Keith_W said: Glad you guys are looking into this. I haven't played with any VST plugins since I made that post. If you have discovered something interesting, please post here I have stacks of them for my recording interfaces but never used them for playback!
Keith_W Posted January 4, 2018 Author Posted January 4, 2018 26 minutes ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: Keith, did you ever try the Ambiophonics plugin? I've always been interested in this but never tried it myself Yes I did. I tried it on the main system but did not get the full effect because I was unable to reposition the speaker without some outside help. Well, I could probably do it myself but it would involve partially dismantling the speaker, moving it, and reassembling - I can't be bothered with that. I tried it on my computer speakers. I couldn't hear much of a difference.
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