1) DrMS manual index
1) DrMS manual index
2) OSX (10.3.9 or later) installation
3) Windows (XP SP2 or later, including Vista) installation
4) DrMS features and functionality
4.1) The utility sections
4.2) The processing sections
4.3) The processing tools
5) Final word
6) Support
7) Version history
8) End User Licence Agreement
2) OSX (10.3.9 or later) installation
To install DrMS or it's demo on OSX, follow these steps:
• Download and install the free Pluggo Runtime 3.6.1 for OSX.
• Place "DrMSv1.1.vst" or "DrMSv1.1demo.vst" into the Pluggo VST folder:
Macintosh HD/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST/Pluggo
Note: the folder name can differ when using local language settings.
• For AudioUnit support, run the "AudioUnit Scan" utility which you find in your Applications folder.
• You're now ready to use DrMS or it's demo in any compatible AU/VST2/RTAS(PT7 or higher) host.
Compatibility notes: For Digidesign ProTools, running Tiger is recommended. While DrMS does work on Leopard, in use with ProTools you might have to increase your session buffer. Cubase 4 & Nuendo 4 are currently not supported because they use a newer VST protocol, unlike other VST hosts. An update of Pluggo Runtime addressing these changes will be available later.
3) Windows (XP SP2 or later, including Vista) installation
To install DrMS or it's demo on Windows, follow these steps:
• Download and install the free Pluggo Runtime 3.6.1 for Windows.
• Place "DrMSv1.1.dll" or "DrMSv1.1demo.dll" into the Pluggo VST folder:
.../Program Files/Cycling '74/vstplugins/Pluggo Runtime
(or other Pluggo Runtime folder chosen on Pluggo install.)
Note: make sure this folder is added as one of the VST folders in your VST host, check your host's manual if needed.
• You're now ready to use DrMS or it's demo in any compatible VST2/RTAS(PT7 or higher) host.
4) DrMS features and functionality
At first sight, DrMS can be a bit overwhelming because of the many possibilities. However, the hardware-like interface and clear organisation per section will help you become comfortable with DrMS very fast.
There are 4 main processing sections: MID, SIDE, FOCUS and FIELD, each featuring a similar set of 3 processing tools: HPF, TiltEQ and Delay. Besides those, there are 4 smaller utility sections: INPUT, OUTPUT, BYPASS and OPTION.
DrMS is a true stereo-to-stereo processor. It may show up as mono and multi-mono version in ProTools besides the multi-channel stereo version, but you should only use this last one as the others won't be functional.
The following overview of each section & tool will guide you thru DrMS's functionality.
4.1) The utility sections
BYPASS
The BYPASS section allows you to bypass DrMS as a whole, except for the INPUT Attenuator, which still remains active to allow easy level-matched A/B comparision of processed and unprocessed signal.
DrMS is active when the IN-button is lighted up.
INPUT
The INPUT section features an Attenuation control and a Format selector.
The INPUT Attenuation lowers the input gain if needed, for example to avoid digital overs later on in the processing. This control is always active, even when DrMS is switched off in the BYPASS section, to allow level-matched A/B comparision.
The INPUT Format switch selects the stereo format DrMS expects to recieve at it's inputs. Since DrMS internally works in MS mode, the switch will decide if an MS-encoder is active (in case of LR input) or not (in case of MS-input).
OUTPUT
The OUTPUT section features an Attenuation control and a Format selector.
The OUTPUT Attenuation lowers the output gain if needed, for level matching when AUTOGAIN (see further) isn't being used. This control will be bypassed when DrMS is switched off in the BYPASS section, to allow level-matched A/B comparision.
The OUTPUT Format switch selects the stereo format DrMS will output. Since DrMS internally works in MS mode, the switch will decide if an MS-decoder is active (in case of LR output) or not (in case of MS-output).
OPTION
The OPTION section sets solo behaviour and AUTOGAIN settings.
When the CenterSOLO IN-button is active, the signal of the soloed main processing section will be presented as a monophonic stereo-centered signal. For the MID and FIELD sections this will make no difference. For SIDE and FOCUS, the otherwise stereospreaded signal will now be heard as a mono signal. This can be an aid in setting a processor section's parameters.
AUTOGAIN can be activated with it's IN-button, standard is it on. AUTOGAIN will automatically adjust the output gain of DrMS to ensure the processed signal is level-matched as good as possible to the original unprocessed signal. This makes A/B comparision a breeze as changeing certain parameters won't result in a volume jump that can happen without using AUTOGAIN.
The 2nd AUTOGAIN control is there for recall purposes. In normal mode, this AUTOGAIN switch is on Var(iable) mode, meaning the AUTOGAIN circuit constantly measures the signal and adjusts it's output gain when needed. This mode can have very slight volume changes over time on some program material. This is no issue when you're still tweaking DrMS, but in some cases it can make recalls slightly less accurate. Therefor, an AUTOGAIN Lock feature is available. When AUTOGAIN Lock is selected, the AUTOGAIN output gain value will not be updated anymore, but will be kept to the value it had on the moment of switching Lock in. This way you can easily keep the level-matched gainsetting and ensure perfect recall later on.
Note: while it is technically possible, it's strongly recommended NOT to automate the AUTOGAINvalue parameter in any case, as this can result in unexpected gain behaviour and has no useful applications.
4.2) The processing sections
DrMS has 4 processing sections. Each of the sections has a different purpose in the stereo field, but all share a similar set of processing tools on blue rotaries. We'll first give an overview of the processing sections, after which the common processing tools will be discussed.
The 4 processing sections of DrMS are MID, SIDE, FOCUS and FIELD. An incoming signal is split up into these 4 individual signals that can be processed differently and then are recombined at the output into a stereo stream. Each of the 4 sections has it's own function in the resulting stereo-signal, with the section level and the used processing defining the impact.
Each of the processing sections has similar master controls: a SOLO button, a phase (Ø) switch, a green 'level' rotary and it's IN-button. The last 2 function differently for each section, with the level rotary even getting a section-dependent name.
We'll now give an overview of what each section exactly is, and what you can do with it:
MID
The MID section contains the sum of Left and Right of a stereo signal. This is the center-information of the stereo signal. The MID's different processing tools can be activated with their IN-buttons. The MID's IN-button under the LEVEL rotary on the other hand only controls if the LEVEL rotary is active or not. Standard it is off, and the section's LEVEL will be the normal 100% in that case. When you switch it in, the LEVEL control becomes active and allows you to lower the volume of the MID signal if needed. In general, you don't need this often as the MID signal is the core of your audio, but it can be helpful if you're after a particular effect.
SIDE
The SIDE section contains the difference of Left and Right of a stereo signal. This is the true stereo information of the stereo signal. The SIDE's different processing tools can be activated with their IN-buttons. The level of the SIDE section will influence the signal's width, therefor the level rotary is called WIDTH in this section. The SIDE's IN-button under the WIDTH rotary controls if this level rotary is active or not. Standard it is on: turning it above 100% will widen the stereo-image, turning it lower will narrow the stereo-image. When you set it exactly on 100% the stereo image is not influenced, a green LED indicator will light up to confirm. When you switch the IN-button under the WIDTH rotary off, the level control becomes inactive and the SIDE signal will have a level of 100%, therefor not affecting the stereo width.
FOCUS
The FOCUS section feeds original unprocessed mid-information to the side-signal of the final stereo output. The FOCUS's different processing tools can be activated with their IN-buttons. Raising the level of the FOCUS section will give the impression of zooming in, therefor the level rotary is called ZOOM in this section. The FOCUS's IN-button under the ZOOM rotary controls if this level rotary is active or not. Standard it is off, and the section's level will be 0% in that case. When you switch it in, the ZOOM control becomes active and allows you to zoom in on the mid-information by making it louder and more stereo.
FIELD
The FIELD section feeds original unprocessed side-information to the mid-signal of the final stereo output. The FIELD's different processing tools can be activated with their IN-buttons. Raising the level of the FIELD section will give the impression of adding depth, therefor the level rotary is called DEPTH in this section. The FIELD's IN-button under the DEPTH rotary controls if this level rotary is active or not. Standard it is off, and the section's level will be 0% in that case. When you switch it in, the DEPTH control becomes active and allows you to make the stereo field deeper and more 3D. You can also use this section effectively to save stereo-information that otherwise would get lost on mono-summation, making a certain stereosignal more mono-compatible.
4.3) The processing tools
Each of the processor sections mentionned above has 3 processing tools: a High Pass Filter (HPF), a TiltEQ and a Delay.
HPF
The resonant HPF can be activated with it's IN-button. There are 2 rotary controls: one for the filter Frequency, from 20Hz to 5000Hz, and one for the filter Resonance with 0.7 being no resonance and 3 maximum resonance. Additionally, you can switch the HPF from a 12dB/octave slope to a steeper 24dB/octave. The HPF often is handy to use on SIDE and FOCUS if you want to keep the low frequencies tight.
TilfEQ
A TiltEQ is an equaliser that changes the full spectrum by rotating a straight cut/boost line around a centerfrequency. The TiltEQ of DrMS only works downwards: above the centerfrequency everything is gradually attenuated, while under the centerfrequency everything is gradually boosted.
The TiltEQ can be activated with it's IN-button. A 2nd IN-button called LowTilt decides the behaviour of the TiltEQ: when it's lighted up, the TiltEQ will be a true TiltEQ like described above. When LowTilt is out, the TiltEQ will not gradually boost everything under the centerfrequency anymore, but will only gradually attenuate everything above.
The Frequency rotary controls the centerfrequency of the TiltEQ (from 100Hz to 4000Hz), while the Tilt rotary controls the amount of tilt applied.
Delay
The Delay can be activated with it's IN-button. The one rotary for the Delay controls the Delay time from 0 to 1000 samples. The Delay section shifts a full processing section by a certain value, it gives a section a set latency rather then acting as a typical delay(echo) effect. The Delay is often interesting to use on the FOCUS and/or FIELD section to create additional depth and space.
5) Final word
As you will notice during use, the true power of DrMS lies in the combination of the different sections and their processing tools. It's best to get accustomed to all the different parameters by experimenting a lot on different material. Some features work better on some audio then other. You'll find out soon enough that DrMS becomes an indispensable tool in your DAW with a wide range of applications including simple MS encoding/decoding, stereo field and depth enhancement, problem solving and creative processing.
6) Support
In case you can't find the answer to your problem in this manual and need support, please contact me by email.
7) Version history
v1.1 - 11/11/2008
- Improved response on HPF frequency dials: more precise control of the low frequency area.
- Smart MCU protocol controller support: clear 6-character parameter naming and 8/16-parameter bank organisation with use of informative 'dummy' parameters to complete each bank for easy bank switching and great overview.
- Fixed the bug that caused incorrect recall on HPF resonance dials.
v1.0 - 28/07/2008
- First release
8) End User Licence Agreement
CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING LICENSE AGREEMENT. BY BUYING YOUR COPY OF DrMS, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY AND ARE BECOMING A PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT.
License Grant:
This package contains the software application called DrMS, and various supporting materials such as it's online manual. "DrMS" refers herein to both the application and its electronic documentation.
Mathijs Indesteege hereby grants you a nonexclusive license to use one copy of DrMS on any single computer, provided DrMS is in use on only one computer at a time. The Software is "in use" on a computer when it is loaded into temporary memory (RAM) or installed into the permanent memory of a computer — for example, a hard disk, CD-ROM, or other storage device.
In addition, you may also install DrMS on a secondary system (laptop, home computer) of which you are the sole user, provided that, at no time, both copies of DrMS are in use at the same time.
Title:
Mathijs Indesteege remains the owner of all right, title, and interest in DrMS.
Archival or Backup Copies:
You may make a copy of DrMS solely for backup or archival purposes.
Things You May Not Do:
You must treat DrMS like any other copyrighted material. You may not:
• copy DrMS except to make archival or backup copies as provided above,
• modify or adapt DrMS or merge it into another program,
• reverse engineer, disassemble, decompile, or make any attempt to discover the source code of DrMS,
• place DrMS onto a server, or into a folder accessible by a peer-to-peer file sharing application, so that it is accessible via a public network such as the Internet, or
• sublicense, rent, lease, sell or lend any portion of DrMS.
Transfers:
You cannot transfer your rights to use DrMS to another person or legal entity.
Limited Warranty:
No warranties are expressed or implied. Purchase of DrMS indicates that you have tried the demo version (DrMS demo) and examined the documentation, and found DrMS to be satisfactory. All sales of DrMS are final and not refundable for any reason.
IN NO EVENT WILL MATHIJS INDESTEEGE BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS, LOST SAVINGS, OR OTHER INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THIS SOFTWARE (DrMS).
Term and Termination:
This license agreement takes effect upon buying a copy of the DrMS software and remains effective until terminated. You may terminate it at any time by destroying all copies of DrMS in your possession. It will also automatically terminate if you fail to comply with any term or condition of this license agreement. You agree on termination of this license to destroy all copies of DrMS in your possession.
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