Brainworx bx_digital V2 User manual
3
1. What is bx_digital?
2. What is M/S technology?
3. What is M/S good for in Mastering?
4. But what´s so new about the V2 then?
5. Features of bx_digital V2:
6. How do I get started with bx_digital V2 in a typical
mastering session?
7. Overview and Details
8. Troubleshooting
Index
4
5
6
6
7
9
12
27
4
1. What is bx_digital V2?
1. What is bx_digital V2?
bx_digital V2 is a latency-free 11-band stereo EQ and stereo
De-Esser that works in several modes, among them 2
sophisticated M/S modes for mastering and microphone
recordings.
It is based upon the “modern classic” bx_digital V1 and the analog
bx1 EQ. We developed this hi-end analogue EQ 2006/2007 and
we offered an emulation of this EQ ever since.
The hardware bx1 is our „MODUS EQ“, an analogue high class
equalizer that runs in four different modes, giving you up to three
channels of extremely musical filters:
• a conventional L(eft) and R(ight) stereo mode for any stereo/
dual mono applications.
• a stereo mode with a built-in M/S-matrix, mainly used for
stereo mastering purposes.
• a 3-channel mode (one stereo PLUS one mono channel) for
surround mastering & recording studios purposes.
• an M/S-Recording-mode that will use two individual
microphone-signals (M&S-signals) fed into the bx1 to create
a highly mono compatible stereo signal, mainly used for
orchestral recordings, choirs or for recording accoustic
instruments in general.
The hardware bx2 is an „Image Shifter“ and De-Esser that can
work in M/S mode as well and therefore is the perfect extension
to our bx1 when it comes to mastering stereo signals. It also
includes a „Mono-Maker“ that allows you to mono the bass
frequencies of your mix from 20 Hz up to 22 kHz to make sure
your bass-section is „tight“ and compatible for vinyl-pressings.
The bx_digital V1 was an exact emulation of both units´ features,
our state-of-the-art equalizer bx1 and its expansion unit bx2, with
only one mode of the hardware (the 3-channels-mode) not working
(for audio host standard reasons). Together these two units are
the perfect choice if you are looking for an extremely musical and
5
1. What is bx_digital V2?
tasty way of eq-ing and de-essing stereo signals (mixes), most
likely in a mastering process, or if you are into mixing and sound-
design as well as recording with M/S-microphone-technique.
bx_digital V2 now offers additional features that neither the
original bx1 analog EQ nor the v1 plug-in offered.
tDetails: see chapter 5.
2. What is M/S technology?
Most engineers who are recording music know about the M/S
microphone technique (two different microphones for stereo
recordings - an OMNI or CARDIOID microphone for the M (mid)
signal and a “FIGURE-OF-8 microphone” for the S (side) signal).
Recording a signal with M/S microphone technique means to
create a stereo (L/R) signal by mixing the M and the S signals
together in a special way that will result in a very mono-compatible
stereo signal. To record in M/S you have to feed the M-signal to
the Left and Right channel of your mix and the S-Signal will be
fed phase-correct to the Left channel and phase-reversed to the
Right channel. This means you will have to split the S-signal and
use a total of 3 channels for only 2 microphones that will be mixed
together to create a conventional stereo-signal. Quite confusing?
Well, bx_digital V2 does all that work for you, just feed it with the
separate M- and S- microphone signals and switch it to M/S
Recording…
For additional details about this technique you may have a look
into any decent audio book. Please do so if you want to learn more
about this method to create very mono-compatible stereo-signals,
e.g. when recording classical music, drums, choirs or acoustic
instruments in general.
6
3. What is M/S good for in Mastering?
3. What is M/S good for in Mastering?
Well, it may sound simple, but the bx_digital V2 has a built-in M/S
matrix that will separate any stereo signal into its mono sum and
the stereo difference signals. Thus you are able to separately
control these two signals which can be very useful when you work
on a stereo mix that has certain „problems“ - or if you simply want
to enhance certain elements in the mix.
Ever tried to cut high frequencies of a mix to reduce the „essing“
of the lead vocals and at the same time boost high frequencies of
your harmony instruments (guitars, keyboards, pianos, etc… most
likely recorded or mixed in stereo)?
With bx_digital V2 and its M/S modes you can do exactly that.
4. But what´s so new about V2 then?
First of all, all the great things about bx_digital are still in V2, we
have not sorted out anything. M/S modes, Solo S and Solo M etc.
are still on board.
Then we have added features from both, the TDM version of
bx_digital (7-bands, Auto Solo Mode, etc.), and from bx_hybrid as
well (Auto Listen Mode).
Add all new and improved audio filters (EQ bands) and you have a
GREAT stereo EQ.
EQ-ing in M/S will cause “non-linear” phases, but most
experienced mastering engineers use this technique if a mix
needs it, and if used with caution (a great advice on most things
that are fun…) M/S processing can be a very creative and
powerful weapon.
Since bx_digital V2 also has a “regular L/R mode”:
You don´t have to do all this all the time… but you can… :-)
7
4. But what´s so new about V2 then?
Also, while there were quite some M/S - tools released after
bx_digital V1 first came out, one original BX feature is the possi-
bility to SOLO your M or S - signal, which means you can listen to
ONLY the M or S signal of your mix and work on these two signals
individually – phase corrected automatically.
“Why is this so unusual?” you might ask now. Well, although the S
signal is included in a regular L/R stereo signal, it is not in phase
on both channels, so we had to come up with an easy way to
correct that each time you want to listen to your S-signal solo…
Start by playing some stereo mixes through your bx_digital V2
plug-in and push the solo button of the S-section… you will be
amazed of what you will hear… you will be able to correct stuff you
have never even heard before in your mixes!
Then dig some deeper, try the Auto Solo and Auto Listen Modes,
the Shifter EQs, etc. You will quickly get the concept this way.
5. Features of the bx_digital V2:
bx1:
• 7-band mastering quality EQ with Shelving, Bell and
Pass-Filters.
• “Auto Solo” and “Auto Listen” Modes
• Unique and new “SixPack” master section: (6 knobs)
• Input Gain and Balance features to adjust incoming levels
and to balance out mixes that are not 100% centered.
• Individual PAN for M and S signals (in all modes) to control
the output balance - with more precision than ever.
• Stereo Width Control for your mix. Make your mix wider
without an effects processor by increasing the S-Signal –
in ALL modes.
• Filter section includes new Lo-Shelving, Hi-Shelving, full-
parametric Bell type, Lo-Pass & Hi-Pass filters. All 7 bands
have been adjusted in frequency-range and type-selection
8
5. Features of the bx_digital V2
by international mastering engineers to help you get
professional results for your mixes instantly.
• Output Gain to adjust overall levels.
• New mouse wheel control (place the cursor above any knob
and use the mouse wheel…)
bx2:
• 4 more EQ bands (in the Shifter EQs), a dynamic EQ/
De-Esser & more.
• Image Shifters for your bass frequencies and high frequen-
cies. Tune your lo-end and hi-end of your mix for a „bigger“
overall sound with „more air“ at the same time and control
potential harsh frequencies in your mixes.
• De-Esser/dynamic EQs. Solo buttons let you listen to what
you cut away separated from the mix.
• Mono-Maker: Adjust the MonoMaker from 20 Hz to 22 kHz
and your stereo mix will be Mono up to that frequency by
cutting away the low-end of the stereo-difference of your
stereo-mix - and adjusting the potential loss of bass frequen-
cies in the Mono-Sum automatically! Ever had problems to
cut your electronic music mixes with synthesizer basses to
vinyl? Do you want to make sure your bass sounds are tight
on disco speakers that might be spread all over the place?
Try the Mono-Maker.
• the bx2 works in M/S - modes just like the bx1, so you can
give your mixes that extra lo-end on guitars and synths that
the pros have without getting rumbling on your bass drums,
basses, etc., or de-ess your voice very tight without making
your whole mix dull, etc.
EQ-Panel:
• shows up to 11 bands of EQ for M and S separately (for all
bx1 and bx2 EQ bands)
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6. How do I get started with bx_digital V2 in a
typical mastering or recording-session?
6. How do I get started with bx_digital V2
in a typical mastering or recording-session?
Mastering music is all about hearing objectively and enhancing
musical performances if possible… but it is (often enough) about
correcting mistakes that have been made in a mix session. This
sounds basic, but we mean it very literally!
We assume that most if not all people who have purchased
bx_digital V2 are familiar with using a standard L/R-EQ, so we
will skip the total basics of “how to use an eq” and go on with less
common-known EQ-techniques…
In fact if you have a more or less “perfect” stereo-signal to work
on (e.g. a very good mix) it might be a good idea not to change
it at all or at least not very much, so you might be ok with using
the “regular” L/R-mode of the bx_digital and use the EQs rather
carefully.
But, let´s assume we have an average stereo-signal (e.g. a mix)
with some problems that we want to correct. – It´s just… how can
you correct problems you can´t even hear exactly?
That´s over now… in the M/S-mastering-mode bx_digital V2 can
transform your stereo mix into 2 easy-to-adjust mono sums (M &
S, or “Sum & Difference”), and the bx1 lets you hear both sections
perfectly in-phase. This way you can hear any problem of your
mix very obviously and also make any improvements to your mix
simple but precisely.
We propose you start working with bx_digital V2 in M/S-Mastering
mode (that´s the default setting) by simply listening to some of
the mixes that you know very well or to some of your favorite
CD-tracks.
While you do so press the solo - buttons of the M and S - sections
alternately to get used to how your mixes sound separated into
these 2 mono sums. You will very fast be able to hear stuff inside
10
6. How do I get started with bx_digital V2 in a
typical mastering or recording-session?
your music that you might want to correct / adjust, so why don´t
you just do it?
Start EQ-ing the M- and S-section individually while Solo-ing the
respective section - and don´t forget to switch the Solo-buttons
off from time to time and listen to your complete mix in “full stereo
sound” again. This way you get a feel for how your adjustments on
the individual sections effect the whole stereo mix! After you have
used a few EQ-bands on your mix compare it to your original mix
by using the Bypass switch of the whole unit and/or of individual
EQ bands (a new feature in V2).
Mastering in M/S takes a little time to get used to - it´s just really
different EQ-ing 2 separate mono-sums than EQ-ing conventional
L&R-signals. But, it´s a very musical way of working, and there IS
a reason why some of the top mastering studios in the world have
been working like this for ages with custom-made M/S-boards -
without really telling anybody…
M/S-Mastering might just be the key for your music to sound as
big - yet still open and clear - as productions often referred to as
being „BIG“… :-)
Many people who have used the M/S-modes for the first time
told us that they had the impression of a “3D-like” depth in their
mixes after processing the M- and the S-Signals individually. While
using the M/S-technique for mastering does affect your phases
in the stereo-signal we do not see this as a problem. In M/S
modes altering phases is done intentionally. Of course, though,
the M/S mastering mode works best if you want to correct small
mistakes in your mixes… for adding or cutting away big amount of
general bass or treble signals you might be better off working in
L/R-mode…
tTIP: if needed simply use two instances of bx_digital on your
master bus. one in L/R mode, the second in M/S mode.
Once you are used to the basics of M/S you might easily get
11
6. How do I get started with bx_digital V2 in a
typical mastering or recording-session?
into more detailed functions… try balancing out a mix that is not
centered 100% (most mixes that come from an analogue desk
with inserted compressors, EQs, in the main stereo insert, etc.
are not balanced 100%!) by Solo-ing the S-section and adjusting
the Balance Gain until all the things that should be centered (like
bass drums, snares, lead vocals, bass, etc.) in your mix disappear
completely.
If that´s the case you can be sure that your mix IS balanced!
Make your mix wider than it originally was by increasing the Stereo
Width without losing the center of your recordings! You will not
loose bass drum power or vocals by making your mix wider this
way… and it will not sound different played back in mono at all.
Otherwise, if you have a drum-loop that was recorded with too
much ambience sounds / reverb, just get rid of it by decreasing
the Stereo Width (in all modes!).
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