Stereo Tool: Free all-in-One Stereo Effect Plugin with Mid-Side Controls

Overview of Mensla Stereo Tool

Mensla Stereo Tool is a versatile stereo effect plugin designed for electronic music producers and sound engineers. It offers comprehensive stereo shaping capabilities with both left-right and mid-side controls. Available as a free VST3 and AU plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux, Stereo Tool provides a range of features to enhance stereo imaging and add creative effects to your mixes.

Filter Types and Mid-Side FX Algorithms

The plugin includes five different filter types: All Pass, Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and Notch. These filters allow precise control over the frequency content of the stereo signal, enabling users to sculpt their sound effectively.

In addition, Stereo Tool offers six mid-side FX algorithms that add unique character and saturation to the stereo field. These algorithms are Soft Distortion, Foldback, Rectify, Poly, Crush, and Shaper. Each algorithm processes the mid or side channels differently, providing creative options for enhancing stereo width and texture.

Vectorscope and Visualization Features

A notable feature of Stereo Tool is its customizable vectorscope, which helps visualize the stereo image in real time. Users can switch between Ellipse and Line modes, adjust the scope scale, buffer size, and thickness. The color of the vectorscope and the plugin’s UI can also be changed by right-clicking the color slider, allowing for a personalized workflow experience.

Additional Controls and User Interface

The plugin includes various FX controls such as Left/Right Mid/Side Mode, Input Gain, Output Gain, Pan, Delay Feedback, Passthrough (which lets the dry signal pass through the effects), Filter Select, and Delay Mix. These controls provide flexibility in shaping the stereo signal and integrating the plugin into different production setups.

The user interface is resizable, making it adaptable to different screen sizes and user preferences. Stereo Tool also comes with presets to help users get started quickly or explore different stereo effect settings.

Features Summary

Features

Five filter types: All Pass, Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Notch
Six mid-side FX algorithms: Soft Distortion, Foldback, Rectify, Poly, Crush, Shaper
Customizable vectorscope with Ellipse/Line modes and adjustable parameters
Resizable user interface
Presets included
FX controls including input/output gain, pan, delay feedback, and passthrough
Available as free VST3 and AU plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux