The Stereo Mastering License includes three algorithms: MD3, MD4 and BrickWall Limiter 2. It contains Limiter, Optimizer and Stereo Enhancer presets, emulation of the Cat43 for real-time noise removal, and presets to reduce distortion at the end listener.

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Among audiophiles, it is generally believed that many recent CD releases sound worse than what was the norm 15 years ago.

Investigating the problem, TC engineers found the cause to be inadequate level restriction in production and mastering, triggering distortion in broadcast processors, data-reduction algorithms and consumer CD players.
More information about this phenomenon, which creates early listening fatigue, can be found at the elsewhere on TC web site.

Brickwall Limiter 2 is a second generation processor designed to show if the signal is "contaminated" with 0dBFS+ peaks, and to remove them when necessary. Built on the foundation of the original BrickWall Limiter, it offers even better protection of the downstream signal-path without sacrificing overall loudness.

BrickWall Limiter 2 is bit transparent below the threshold of limiting, and may therefore be used on an already dithered master. Let the BrickWall Limiter 2 have the final word, and it will ensure cleaner and more predictable results on CDs and DVD - as well as data-reduced deliveries such as MP3, AAC, Dolby Digital or DTS.

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High performance Stereo De-Esser.
Select between Relative or Absolute Threshold modes, enabling the De-Esser to perform either a dynamic and musical removal of sibilant sounds, or a fixed De-Essing for e.g. percussive material. Select target frequency
in the most flexible way either as parametric or low/high shelving filter. Full frequency range from 100 Hz to 20kHz and internal 48bit processing allows using this De-Esser as e.g. a De-Popper.

The De-Esser is operating in Stereo, Dual-mono or M/S processing modes.

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High resolution, multiband dynamics processing has been a trademark of TC Electronic for more than a decade. Splitting audio into frequency bands before expanding or compressing, is a big help in fighting breathing and spectral intermodulation artifacts. Our algorithms are designed with the headroom to do so, without introducing split- and recombination filter anomalies, and can be used for level optimization, mix assistance or discreet spectral balancing as required.

MD3 is a refinement of the legendary MD2 dynamics processor from M5000. It uses a multiband, 48 bit resolution structure, and offers a 3-band Compressor, Expander, 4-band parametric Equalizer and Limiter in one powerful algorithm. MD3 can be configured for stereo or dual mono processing, and used on single sources as well as composite stereo mixes. Alternatively, stereo material may be processed in the MS domain, or MD3 may take in MS signals and convert them to stereo, with processing taking place in either the LR or MS domain. The multiband section has the advantage of adjustable look-ahead delay for gentle processing of transients, while the Limiter uses its own overshoot proof micro-delay to prevent output samples above the threshold set.

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Multiband Processor
MD4 is the latest and greatest high resolution, multiband dynamics processor from TC. MD4 has five bands with phase linear reconstruction, and can operate in several different ways, including a newly developed DXP mode to lift up low level detail individually in the bands. Therefore, MD4 is effective in traditional mastering, but also when it comes to converting film to domestic dynamic range, or to process single sources such as vocal, dialogue or acoustic instruments.

All processing is done at 48 bit resolution and may be stereo, dual mono or applied surgically to the M and S part of a stereo signal. For example, equalization and compression can target the center or L/R components of a mix to bring out certain elements, or adjust the width.

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