Voxengo PHA-979

I must add a review to point out that this plug-in has more uses than at first meets the eye.

You may use it to construct a Dolby ProLogic (r) encoder so that your stereo material is compatible with all the Hi-Fi amps, televisions, game consoles that provide surround sound from a two channel delivery format.

The specifications for all modern surround formats have this in common; that they extract the surround channels from the out-of-phase "S" component of the stereo stream.

The surround L and surround R signals.

The encoding process is the same for all Dolby 2 channel systems, whereas the decoders built into Dolby certified equipment varies in complexity and channel count.

To encode Dolby compatible material, you need to set up a stereo AUX bus with the Voxengo Phase plugin, apply a short delay to both channels and a +90 degrees phase shift to the L channel and a -90 degree phase shift to the R channel.

All channels you want to have appear in your rear speakers will have to have in addition to going to the main stereo bus, a send to the AUX channel.  The send should have a pan pot so you can send the signal to either channel of the Aux bus.

When you increase the level of the send, you'll hear that the sound moves from front to back in accordance with your send level.  The panning of the send will determine if the sound emirates from the left or right surround speakers.  The mix between the send and the main stereo content will determine the fromt/back placement.

For a description of the levels and specifications, see this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_decoder#Dolby_Stereo_and_Dolby_Surround_.28matrix_4:2:4.29

This plug-in is the only one (and I've tested a lot!) that actually offers a true 90 degrees phase shift across the frequency range and that works as a surround encoder.  The quality of the sound is pristine, and I'm happy to have found this gem!

I think Voxengo is one of the most unique plug ins companies! have the best "tools" to shape and sculpt your sound.  The only bad news is that there is not Mac version.  But I have my PC!

Your products are amazing!

From your incredibly useful free-plugs to the very cheap and fantastic sounding payplugs.

I am recommending your company to anyone who'll listen, so please keep up the good work!

All the best,