Stereo Tool offers a number of predefined presets, that can be used get fast results.
The presets that are currently offered are:
VOLUME COMPRESSION
Very Soft Compression (Classical)
The single- and multiband compressors operate very slowly,
so the dynamics of the sound are almost unchanged.
Only a small amount of compression occurs, this mode is not
suitable if the goal is to get a really constant volume.
Sudden loud peaks are filtered out, though.
Very suitable for classical music.
Soft Compression
The compressors operate slightly faster than in the
Very Soft Compression mode, but they still move very
slowly. The output volume is much more constant, but the
dynamics of the sound are still very good. (It does not
sound "flat").
Normal Compression
The compressors operate at a normal rate. The output
volume is very constant, at the expense of loosing some
dynamics. (The sound will get more "flat").
Hard Compression (dance)
The compressors operate at a fast rate. The output
volume is very constant, at the expense of loosing a lot
of dynamics. The sound is constantly loud, even when the
original recording contains some softer parts.
The sound will get "flat", but also a bit fuller, because
all softer instruments and sounds get amplified more.
Hard Compression (more powerful)
Similar to Hard Compression, but sudden peaks in the sound
get more "punch". The result sounds less full, but also
less flat, and the average volume is lower.
Very Hard Compression
The output is almost constantly at the maximum level.
STEREO EFFECTS
Mono
The output is mono, but no sounds are lost in the
stereo to mono conversion as would normally be the case.
This results in a much fuller sound, without any distortion.
Useful when only one output channel is available.
Works especially
well for old tape recordings and synthesizer sounds, but virtually
all stereo recordings benefit from this conversion compared to the
normal stereo to mono conversion.
Remove phase differences
The instruments stay at the same place (so if a drum sounds louder
on the left channel than on the right, it will stay that way), but
all phase differences are removed.
The resulting sound is still stereo, but a part of the stereo effect
is removed. The result can safely be
converted to mono using an amplifier, radio receiver etc..
Works especially well for old tape recordings and synthesizer sounds,
so if you need a signal that some people will hear in mono, this
is a good way of ensuring that they will get a good sound.
Put all instruments in center
All the instruments are played at the same volume at both speakers,
but the phase differences remain.
Useful if some people only hear one speaker: Each speaker plays all
the sounds, but if someone hears both speakers the sound is still
stereo (although a weaker stereo than the original). Can be useful
at a work place, parties etc..
Increased stereo
The instruments move further away from the center, and phase differences
are increased.
Use with care, especially if the original recordings are not very
good (low quality MP3s for example), the result will sound very bad.
Fake stereo (delayed channel)
One of the channels is played back with a short delay, this causes
a fake stereo effect.
RADIO STATIONS
FM Transmitter (Stereo)
Default settings for an FM transmitter. The sound is very loud (strong
compression), and the sounds about 18 kHz are filtered out to avoid
FM pilot tone interference.
FM Transmitter (Mono)
As FM Transmitter (Stereo), but mono (using the Stereo Tool stereo
to mono filters as described above).
AM Transmitter - Europe
Default settings for an AM transmitter. The sound is extremely loud
(very strong compression) to overcome the noise on the AM band,
and the sounds about 4.5 kHz are filtered out.
AM Transmitter - North America
As AM Transmitter - Europe, but the filtering occurs at 5 kHz instead
of 4.5 kHz.
Weird Titan Radio
The settings of my own internet radio station,
Weird Titan Radio,
which this program was originally written for. (Tune in if you like hardtrance!)
CQ Radio 99.1 FM Monee, Illinois
A US-based FM station that uses this plugin.
MISCELLANEOUS
Insane Power Sound
Demo settings, which show what can be done with Stereo Tool.
Not very useful unless you like loud noise.
Stereo Tool 1.x default settings
The default settings of Stereo Tool 1.x.