LAB:ONE ReQ·131 Instruction Manual - page 14
Page
14
ReQ·131 Instruction Manual
v1.2
Selecting the Signal Path and dB ranges
ReQ·131 has a built in dropdown menu listing which is dedicated to signal path choices with dB range
choices. The options available are:
There are a total of 15 options available, 3 signal paths and 5 dB ranges. This gives ReQ·131 more
flexibility into what can be equalised.
The benefits of this can be useful, in respect to audio engineers, musicians and producers alike.
The 3 signal paths available are L/R (corresponds to left and right audio signals), MID (the same audio
found in both left and right signals) and SIDE (the difference between left and right audio signals. Mid
and Side processing can be daunting to start with for new users, so there is a further explanation below
regarding reasons for the options in ReQ·131, and to help gain further understanding. More confident
users and professionals would appreciate the addition of Mid and Side control to ReQ·131 to aid more
clinical tasks when final mixing and mastering is a concern.
To select any of the possible signal paths and dB ranges, click the SIGNAL PATH AND dB RANGE
display to reveal a popup with the available options. On selecting your specific path and range, the
display will update as well as the maximum / minimum scale displays on the device front.
A brief explanation of MID and SIDE signals: What are they?
So some users new to this may think that left and right equalisation is the only approach, without any
knowledge of Mid and Side information. So what is Mid and Side?...
In simple terms, Mid/Side processing is when a recorded stereo signal, consisting of a left and right
channel (representing what will be played through the left and right speaker), is encoded to a mid and a
side channel (using sum and differences of the left and right channel; mid = left + right, side = left –
right), then processed as desired, then decoded back to left and right. Have a look at the image below
to make this a bit easier.
To get a basic understanding to how MID and SIDE matrix
works, the image on the left is a simplified version of how MID
and SIDE works. The Red circle denotes LEFT audio, while the
BLUE circle indicates the RIGHT audio. MID information (in
pink) is like how the image looks, an ‘overlap’ where there is the
same information of left and right together, so would audibly
appear ‘central’ or ‘in the MIDdle’ to the audio panorama. The
remaining information (Red SIDE, blue SIDE) is the difference
between the LEFT and RIGHT audio signals, making this SIDE
information. Depending on the source material depends on how
much SIDE information is available to process.
Signal Path:
Affects
dB ranges
L/R :
Total content of the stereo signal
MID:
Mid content of the stereo signal,
does not affect the Side content
SIDE:
Side content of the stereo signal,
does not affect the Mid content
3dB
6dB
12dB
18dB
24dB
LEFT
SID
E
SID
E
RIGHT
MID