Stereo Tool

Hi all,

Latest version - Beta 10.22-051 (Apr 5 2024)

Downloads

• Stereo Tool - Windows 32-bit standalone
• Stereo Tool - Windows 64-bit standalone
• Stereo Tool - VST2 32-bit
• Stereo Tool - VST2 64-bit
• Stereo Tool - VST3 32-bit
• Stereo Tool - VST3 64-bit
• Stereo Tool - Winamp DSP 32-bit
• STXtreme multi-instance updater with Nielsen PPM
• Thimeo ST-Enterprise - Windows
• Thimeo ST-Enterprise - Intel/AMD Linux 64 bit
• Thimeo ST-Enterprise - macOS
• Relay (runs directly, not an installer)
• Thimeo WatchCat
• Stereo Tool - macOS standalone - UNIVERSAL binary (Intel/M1)
• MAC: Intel Thimeo WatchCat
• MAC: M1 Thimeo WatchCat
• Stereo Tool - macOS VST2 - UNIVERSAL binary (Intel/M1)
• Stereo Tool - macOS VST3 - UNIVERSAL binary (Intel/M1) (BROKEN, NO GUI)
• Stereo Tool - x86/64 Linux 32 bit ALSA standalone
• Stereo Tool - x86/64 Linux 64 bit ALSA standalone
• Stereo Tool - x86/64 Linux 32 bit Jack standalone
• Stereo Tool - x86/64 Linux 64 bit Jack standalone
• Stereo Tool - ARM Linux 32 bit standalone
• Stereo Tool - ARM Linux 32 bit Jack standalone
• MicroMPX - Windows encoder
• MicroMPX - Windows decoder
• MicroMPX - ARM Linux 32 bit encoder
• MicroMPX - ARM Linux 32 bit decoder
• MicroMPX - ARM Linux 64 bit encoder
• MicroMPX - ARM Linux 64 bit decoder
• Pi 3/4 SD card updater
• Generic plugin, now renamed to libStereoTool (LiquidSoap, GML, mAirList etc)

Changes/bugfixes

• REVERTED TO OLD PORTAUDIO VERSION - a crash has been reported in the new version.
• REMOVED RDS2 - it doesn't work yet so no use to put it in a release; will be back in the first beta after 10.30 release.
• Check that .ini is created on close immediately after starting. - YES, on Windows anyway.
• Check that we can delete an instance without ever starting it. - Yes, worked without issues.
• Updated IceCast from 2.4.5 to 2.4.6
• Revert to IceCast 2.4.5
• Try to add bass exciter/true bass metering.
• Streaming display was purple, should have been yellow -> Fixed.

TODO's

• Added RDS2 logo support! Working on all 3 carriers now, so it's relatively fast.
• Add other presets
• Release
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• Re-enable PortAudio update
• Re-enable IceCast 2.4.6 update
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• MAIL
• Check contracts Sent feedback
• RDS2 BUSY
• Fix stepping of sound card buffer sizes (without control/shift should be 1, not .1 or 10).
• VST macOS Audition: GUI not displayed in Audition https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... 482&type=3
• Multi-line translations fail (.stl)
• Update Pi 5 image
  
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  Compressor: Add a release hold, but only for massive drops. That will work similarly to a gate but automatically. And maybe combine that with a faster release after that time, to handle sudden drop protection automatically as well?
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• Check compressor warning (or later)
• Delay issue in MPX display; not synchronized with the audio.
• Overview screen password protection: How should that work?
• Overview screen: Error should be shown here.
• RW
• Advanced Clipper: Check and improve filter-vibrations code. Also make it for mids.
• Mono bass for HD cannot be enabled without enabling the other "Reduce stereo" settings as well; needs to be split off just like for FM.
• MicroMPX: Somehow detect and report number of incoming streams
• Fix 1-channel mode devices for Mac, maybe support multi-instance
• Do something to draw graphs even without audio
• Pragma messages: Check and remove where possible
• Check BIMP meter bar; dynamics section MB on/off removes top bar
• MicroMPX: Add error checking for IP addresses, don't open if the address isn't complete. (Maybe wait for ENTER? - Web interface).
• Figure out which settings to put in overview screen
• Mac: If the sound card doesn't exist on startup and you try to close, nothing happens. Then attempting again crashes ST.
• Fix all warnings
• 2w things
• NAB: MicroMPX overview of manufacturers?
• Improve sound card error messages on STXtreme
• Pi 5 version doesn't detect HifiBerry. -> Adding ,slave helps, but for which cards is this needed? Ask HifiBerry -> https://support.hifiberry.com/hc/en-us/ ... 4212871453
• Run Valgrind on multi-instance.
• MicroMPX: Extra priority setting for during startup.
• Think about MicroMPX post processing performance. Is anything possible here? Just 2% less would probably be sufficient... Maybe remove scaling? -> No; no effect. Maybe do initializing at prio idle?
• MicroMPX: “umpxDecoderGetStreamFeedback()”: the signal lost counter in umpxDecoderStreamInfo seems to be stuck or sometimes not to count up when there is no input (with pilot generation active, internal sync turned off). I can’t rule out the problem is on our side, but it was working before and I think we did not change anything handling the umpxDecoderStreamInfo.
• Manual?
• Streaming must read data from files from a separate thread, viewtopic.php?p=75718
• New compressor: Can we add an automatic gate for Blue Monday? Detecteer harde tikken die even hard zijn als input maar toch steeds harder worden en te hard zijn.
• Compressor: Test higher Boost level
• STAMP license error message is only visible in the native GUI (which doesn't exist); how do we show it in the correct GUI (the one in which the button was clicked)? Same question for overview page.
• DHD: Remove logging, probably.
• DHD: Add FM Professional to purchase options on the site.
• Fix Declipper issues reported in viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33774&start=30 and on Discord
• Restart when sound card does not work is not working anymore
• Some complaint about RDS in 10.20, viewtopic.php?p=75314
• .st.gui_override does not survive firmware updates in SD card image; needs to look in root directory.
• AES67: If a LiveWire port is selected under "Device" but nothing is detected there, that port number overwrites the active port field on preset loading. The pulldown itself cannot be changed if nothing is detected.
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• Advanced Clipper: MAYBE make a filter that limits how much bass mids and highs protection can remove at the most. Can be done later.
• Does Blue Monday with new compressor get better if I slow down reference release?
• AGC: Most likely we'll also need to change the release behavior compared to the compressors.
• AGC: Bojcha: Some other stuf really needed, - startup level - return to platform - gate after agc (please) - some sort of compressor or some protection for bursts like on old AGC - why freeze is not fully freeze (there is delay)
• MicroMPX: Run as service?
• Update clipper, optimize for new compressor
• Preset exporting: Auto-fill file name.
• Web interface: 2nd meter bar color is always orange, but must be less bright version of main color for input gain, MPX out etc. - Waiting for web interface update
• Loading a Stereo Tool preset on PiMP also sets things like whitelist, blocking access.
• Make RDS/RDBS selectable or something, independent of 50/75 us pre-emhpasis.
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• New compressor: Matrix mode: Limiters work on L+R and L-R, instead of L and R. That's probably bad.
• MicroMPX: Allow RDS settings in library?
• PEQ in MicroMPX FM output?
• VMware licensing 2w
• M. mails! + Contract
• Sensitivity scrolling vs sliding
• MicroMPX: Check pilot cleanness in decoder if pilot frequency is slightly off (19005 Hz).
• Add capture output soundcard??? (Wasapi loopback?)
• Web interface: MicroMPX decoder display "ports" field gets too small after switching to another tab and then back, with a relatively small window. download/file.php?id=5827
• Also, I notice when adjusting the buffer, there's no way to adjust by 1ms. There's 0.1ms (CTRL), 10ms (SHIFT), but it doesn't go by 1ms when no modifier is held. It would also be very handy to have the Synchronize with HD slider in between the HD and FM output cells instead of hidden in the More FM Output Settings.
• Reset skin, and other things (basically anything that can be loaded?)
• Pi: Make network settings changeable via web interface.
• Startup delay on MicroMPX?
• Upload SD card image updater somewhere
• Update LiquidSoap links
• mndxer1049: Better Natural Dynamics section with WB dynamic detection
• mndxer1049: A very transparent, C-Level like new AGC design
• mndxer1049: Auto Stereo Pilot
• mndxer1049: Maybe: A button for putting all CPU settings at the maximum value and turning on all CPU intensive settings that only improve audio, but take quite a bit of CPU load. (ex. sliders like ‘Quality (increases CPU load)’ under DeClipper restoration, “Strictness (CPU)” and “Leif’s highs gap protection stages (CPU)’ under Clipper just to name a few of these ”CPU sliders” I’m referencing.)
• Display bug in MPX display (weird spectrum glitches that occur occasionally)
• Add streaming output to VST version?
• In the audio input section I'd like to see options for speakers to be included without having the need to use virtual cables to route. I was thinking something similar to Rocket Broadcaster. There's input for mic and separate application source.
• MicroMPX decoder: High frequency tilt correction is performed BEFORE data is collected for display, looks like overshoots.
• Auto pilot
• Redesign ND dynamics detection
• Maybe add some frequency display to MPX display. viewtopic.php?f=16&t=33720
• Remove 45 degrees angle in gonio meters viewtopic.php?f=16&t=33699
• Add numeric displays to ITU and MPX levels in GUI viewtopic.php?f=16&t=33686
• Insert/delete bands in multiband compressor, instead of (like now) just having to add/remove the last one when the number of bands changes.
  
  
  
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• Non-phase linear: For example https://github.com/nxsEdson/Butterworth ... rworth.cpp
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• gStreamer AES67?
• STXtreme errors when reusing sound card
• STXtreme set shared sample rate (instances can set different sample rates)
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• Azimuth affects highs!!
• Password change requires entering same password 3x first time
• Password protection broken display after logout/change
• Preset load page must be smaller for STXtreme
• Cursor keys in web interface
• Mac: VST3 GUI.
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• Ratio slider smarter steps (1.1, 1.2 etc) - MattL
• Meters: add separate FM/HD output level displays.
• New compressor and matrix mode?
• Add 0.05 precision to parametric EQ and attack/release multipliers
• RDS: Add settings for how long texts are shown or how fast to scroll for UECP inputs.
• AES67 generic mode: Let people enter IP address directly.
• Add PWarnMini for Diff
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• MicroMPX: Show temperature
• MicroMPX: Show status per incoming port
• Win10 scheduler appears to ignore ideal CPU cores since last (few) update(s)
• Links: ID_GOTO must be a PLink that points somewhere.
• Dynamic speeds: License detection only works after audio has been running, that's not ok.
• When audio has run after a settings change, trigger a parsetChanged
• Time offset on STXtreme, for RDS (also for ClockTime!)
• New GUI: Support smaller monitors (smaller default size, especially for VST). Contact near05.
• Export presets from web interface needs filtering, just like from native (so the code is there! Just reuse CopyPresetOm*).
• Mac: VST2 sizes
• Mac: gavinmcgrath: "Intel MacOS 11.7.3 in Wavelab 11.1: Blank screen." viewtopic.php?f=14&t=33391&p=73407#p73407
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• Stand alone RDS decoder
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• GUI: Check RGBLUT_Combine2 performance
• CPU usage of REFRESH_ENABLED is high, maybe use local array.
• PDcWave delay not set
• Flashing peq/mb eq bars in GUI
• Software update requires Admin rights
• WatchCat: Keep track of when files have been processed and ignore them, but don't move them. (DropBox)
• WatchCat: Can we include ffmpeg and lame?
• Pens
• Add latency wizard?
• setFaultyValue for text boxes for wrong passwords for example - check with Tom how to use
• Can we enable FM Calibration in "Ignore high frequencies" mode? Not easily
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• Add check for running ST multiple times; make switchable if we want to allow it or ask if you really want to start if it already runs or something.
• Matt: Pre-emphasize highs slider needs to get a clearer description! Something with avoid overshoots. Basically a sidechain EQ. "Add highs to sidechain".
• Matt: UECP must be more easily accessible, too deep now.
• Matt: FM+AM
• Check EQMB_SCOPES
• New I/O framework: Add extra latency to plugin input so the input 2 to LQLL can be instantaneous.
• Check Bojcha's good bass HPF settings (18200 Hz, ignore high frequencies, 48 kHz, 35 Hz HPF)
• libVLC with FDK???

In the Declipper VST 32 plugin, it's set to open up on launch. I don't see a setting to stay minimized. Also, as I posted earlier, please consider re-adding the Azimuth correction filter to the declipper plugins. Thank you for updating this!

_________________
America's Country
Three Decades of Country!

I agree, it would be nice to have all the basic options of Stereo Tool without the additional(post-repair) processing modules. I figured they would base both off the same under-the-hood/gui builds, and maybe they try to, but this last build does appear to have some things missing (aside from just the declipper scopes). The hard limiter toggle is missing, the license mechanism wants to say the VST is unregistered after registering until relaunching the plugin (vst2-32), the 64-bit VST2 is broken, Azimuth isn't there, preferences in Applications Settings are missing, etc.

Hi all! WILL THERE BE A VERSION FOR RASPBERRY PI5?

Some things my young Gen-Z ears have caught with the new compressor in testing:

- On Adaptive Bass Monster, I heard levels adjusting/pumping just slightly enough to notice during the middle of a chorus in a song.

- Adaptive Bass Monster: I noticed that the levels seem to just slightly duck down a bit on choruses/loud parts, but recover and seem a bit louder during the verses/quieter parts.

- Adaptive Bass Monster: Choruses/loud parts of songs seem to lose a bit dynamics and thin out a bit.

- Adaptive Bass Monster: Voice, especially female voices can be extremely harsh sounding. Not as much on male voice. But that probably should be looked into. Reverb may have something to do with it in the dense preset of A.B.M., but I’m not totally sure.

Hello. I'm using VST 64 in VirtualDJ. With 1022-002 when I click something (for example "Repair") the interface doen't update to my clicks. I have to close and reopen the interface, then I see that "Repair" certainly was selected at my the previous click.

Interesting. I'm trying VirtualDJ right now and I'm not figuring out how to load plugins. The help section on the website doesn't help.

However, I did notice some strangeness in visual elements disappearing when running in fullscreen on my 4k monitor with DPI scaling.

I also read in their forums that VST3's are now functional. I would recommend trying that version over the VST2.

I put the VST2 64 bit DLL in the VirtualDJ\Plugins64\SoundEffect folder.
Don't know if VST3 is supported but will try it.

We have worked on improving the behavior on several of these in the last days; I have visited a local station that was using the Adaptive Bass Monster Dense preset and later spent several hours with someone who sets up lots of stations and we tried to fix these effects. I apparently didn't really have songs where this caused issues in my test set; I do now.

Here are a few changes that we made:

• We slowed down the attack to 750. So that's a lot slower, which helps against short loud sounds that caused some ducking.
• Added gating on the MB,
• Set Level drop compensation more aggressively, so it's pulling up soft pieces much more. This helps not only when a new song starts, but it also causes the level to be increased faster after a loud chorus.
• Increased Window, but made it work less strongly on release. While making the window act stronger on release sounds nice, it slows down recovery after loud sounds.
• Using clipping and limiting now, and changed the limiter types for some of the bands.
• Reduced band linking, which tends to make ducking problems much worse.
• Increased 'Dense audio level boost' by 1 dB, this makes (based on test) very loud choruses about 0.5-0.8 dB louder.

The slower attack greatly reduces the level effects on loud choruses. The limiting and clipping removes the start of something loud which makes everything sound much "tighter" and more controlled, although it will cause some loss of punch so we might need to tweak the settings further.


Here's the resulting preset. Please note this this is work in progress; we spent some time on it last week but weren't finished yet.
Ducking on chorus seems to be far less of an issue when running in peak mode instead of RMS mode. I'm planning to look into that tomorrow. But just switching the detection from RMS to Peak might help quite a bit. Of course that does come at a cost in consistency.

Right, I have no VirtualDJ folder in my documents folder. The tutorials appear to be for a previous version or something. Let us know if the VST3's work.