Stereo Tool

Minor update: Distortion reduced more (now especially for low frequencies). High frequencies are a bit louder now. Total sound is also slightly louder.

Update: CPU usage in Normal mode has been greatly reduced (at the expense of a very slight reduction in audio quality).

Update: Sound quality of "s" sounds improved (bass pumping due to loud high frequencies reduced - high frequency level is reduced slightly.)

Performance might have changed a bit (have not yet measured it).

Update: High frequency level is increased and sounds clearer.

I have found another improvement. I have done some quick tests and it seems to work very well, but it will take some time to implement it properly. In a few days you can expect a new version with the following improvements (Loudness ++ mode only!):
- Loudness ++ CPU load and latency reduced by about 30%
- Slightly louder high frequencies
- Slightly clearer high frequencies
- Soft bass sounds stay soft (they are sometimes getting too loud in the current beta)
- Very loud bass sounds no longer cause distortion on the high frequencies

Update after listening tests: Highs are indeed brighter, but also distorted, and they disturb the rest of the sound. So this will probably take more time than I expected...

Update 2: The problem seems to be in the improved performance. Without that, I am getting the better audio quality. I expect to have a version with (slightly) better audio quality tomorrow, will have to see about the performance improvement.

This seems to be getting a bit more difficult than I expected...

But I do have some good news: I have replaced the non-++ Loudness processing (which didn't sound very good) by the processing that I used in version 3.30, but with the distortion filter from 3.40ß. So it sounds a lot better than 3.30 did. And if all processing is turned on it uses LESS CPU power than 3.30.

If you turn ++ on, you get the new processing that I'm working on (very good highs, but some extra distortion).

Note: Turning ++ on or off sometimes leads to deformed sounds. There's a bug somewhere that I still need to hunt down. For now, if this happens just restart Stereo Tool.

You can download the new versions here:
http://www.stereotool.com/download/dsp_ ... _BETA2.exe
http://www.stereotool.com/download/ster ... _BETA2.exe
http://www.stereotool.com/download/vst_ ... _BETA2.exe
http://www.stereotool.com/download/vst_ ... _BETA2.exe

Great work!

I'm testing now, if all works fine i'm going to buy the software.

/Martijn

Here's another update.

Loudness with ++ now sounds MUCH better.

For the best sound quality, please follow the following guidelines:
- Turn Final Pre Limiter and Final Limiter ON. Previously I said it could be turned off, but with it turned on the result is better.
- When turning ++ on, set the Loudness slider lower (around 2.0 - 2.33) - higher values cause distortion.

The easiest way is to select a preset, then turn ++ on and lower the Loudness setting. I'll see if I can find a way to make this easier.

You can download the new versions here:
http://www.stereotool.com/download/dsp_ ... _BETA2.exe
http://www.stereotool.com/download/ster ... _BETA2.exe
http://www.stereotool.com/download/vst_ ... _BETA2.exe
http://www.stereotool.com/download/vst_ ... _BETA2.exe

Tested the latest build.. the ++ settings results in a very bad sound on my system.. (like a very bad mp3) also after a reboot of Stereotool, when turned off everything sounds great.

Overall i'm very pleased with the tool.

Greetz,

Martijn

Just my two cents worth ...

I've played around with volume loudness levelers and limiters, enough to know,
thats not the sound I want. I want it to sound natural, lively and sparkling with just
the right amount of punch, not a flat or muffled bass and not a dead high end.

I've found the only way to achieve this, is to amplify one or two db between stages,
with a "good transparent limiter".

As long as i'm hitting my zero db mark on my REAL modulation meter and it's staying constant
between -3 and +0 on average -- i'll be a happy camper.

I just think, after playing with it for so long .. Quality is what I want.

If the listener wants loudness ... he has a volume control knob on his radio.