What Is Mid-Side Equalization/EQ (Audio) & How Does It Work?

Mid-side (M/S) processing may not be the most popular style of processing when it comes to stereophonic audio, but it's certainly effective in some situations. Combine this fact with the power of equalization, and it makes perfect sense that mid-side EQs would exist in the realm of audio technology.

What is mid-side equalization? A mid-side EQ will have the ability to EQ the centre and side (left/right) channel of a stereo audio track/file independently. These EQ units/plugins can be of any EQ type, including graphic, parametric, semi-parametric, dynamic, etc. but act specifically on mid and side information independently.

In this article, we'll describe mid-side equalization with a focus on mid-side processing and general EQ. We'll consider a few mid-side EQ unit examples, along with the situations and applications that call for mid-side equalization.

For my best advice on using EQ, check out my article Top 11 Best EQ/Equalization Tips For Mixing (Overall).

What Is Mid-Side Processing?

Let's begin by discussing the idea of mid-side and mid-side processing.

Mid-side audio is similar to stereo audio in the fact that it represents a stereo image with 2 channels. However, unlike stereo (which has a left channel and a right channel), the mid-side has a mid-channel and a side-channel.

Note that, though mid-side is a powerful processing technique, it is rarely used in signal transfer. Devices (hardware or software) that have mid-side processing capabilities will generally not have “mid-side” inputs or “mid-side” outputs.

Rather, these mid-side processors will have stereo inputs and outputs and mid-side encoders and decoders to change the input stereo signal to mid-side effectively, process it in mid-side, and change it back to stereo for the output.

As the name would suggest, the mid-channel represents the information in the centre or middle of the audio's stereo field. In other words, the mid-channel holds common information between the encoded left and right stereo channels.

As the name would suggest, the side channel represents the information to the sides (left and right) of the audio's stereo field. Put another way; the side channel holds information that is different between the encoded left and right channels.

The routing required to change stereo audio into mid-side audio can be visualized in the following signal flow chart:

Similarly, the routing required to change from mid-side back to stereo can be visualized with the next signal flow chart:

It's important to note that, when decoding a mid-side-processed audio file, we must reduce each channel by 3 dB to compensate for the fact that the stereo-to-M/S transitioning causes a doubling of level in both the mid and side channels.

Otherwise, we'd have the following:

L + R – (-L + R) = 2L

L + R – (L – R) = 2R

Note that, by dropping the levels by 3 dB, we half the signal power.

To learn more about decibels, check out my article What Are Decibels? The Ultimate dB Guide For Audio & Sound.

Processing mid-side audio, then, allows us to affect the centre information independently from the side information. This can be extremely useful in terms of affecting the perceived width of the mix.

What Is Audio Equalization?

Now that we know what mid-side processing is in audio, let's turn our attention to the second portion of the term “mid-side EQ”.

Equalization is an audio process that can alter the relative balance between frequencies within an audio signal. EQ works by increasing or decreasing the relative amplitudes of some frequency bands compared to other frequency bands. From mixing, tone shaping, crossovers, feedback control and more, EQ is an invaluable tool for audio.

Cutting and boosting with EQ refers to decreasing and increasing the relative amplitude of defined frequency bands, respectively.

Filters, generally speaking, eliminate frequency content below, above or between two set frequency points. However, the term “filter” can also be attributed to “bell-curve” or “peak” filters that are used to boost or cut.

For more information on EQ in general, check out my article The Complete Guide To Audio Equalization & EQ Hardware/Software.

What Is Mid-Side Equalization?

Now that we understand mid-side processing and the basics of EQ, we can fully understand M/S EQ.

Mid-side EQ is simple equalization done via mid-side processing. A mid-side EQ will have independent EQ paths with control parameters that will act upon the mid-channel and the side-channel.

As we discussed previously, these units will typically have a stereo input and stereo output. They will rely on “encoders” and “decoders” to change the stereo input to mid-side channels and then change the EQed mid-side channels back to stereo for the output.

To function properly, these mid-side EQs would need a stereo signal.

Most M/S EQs are actually stereo equalizers with optional mid-side functionality. This design makes sense as a mid-side EQ requires essentially the same signal flow as a stereo EQ with the addition of the aforementioned encoder/decoder.

To learn more about stereo EQ, check out my article What Is Stereo Equalization/EQ In Audio & How Does It Work?

By EQing the mid and side channels differently, the width of the mix can be fine-tuned to the mixer's liking. Another common use of mid-side EQ is to high-pass filter the side information to ensure a solid and tight mono bass response (stereo information in the sub-bass range can be detrimental to the mix's clarity).

Examples Of Mid-Side Equalizers

Before we wrap things up, it’s always a great idea to consider some examples. Let’s look at a couple of different mid-side equalizers to help solidify our understanding of this EQ type.

In this section, we’ll discuss:

500 Series mid-side EQ unit: TK Audio TK-lizer 500 (link to check the price on Amazon)
Mid-side EQ plugin: FabFilter Pro-Q 3 (link to check the price at Plugin Boutique)

TK Audio TK-lizer 500

The TK Audio TK-lizer 500 (link to check the price on Amazon) is a 500 series 3-band Baxandall-style EQ (with an included high-pass filter) with mid-side capabilities.

This powerful yet simple unit can be used in stereo (L/R) or mid-side mode (M-S). The M/S toggle switch will toggle between the two modes.

Each of the bands has ±8 dB of boosting/cutting in 41-step controls. The low and high bands can be switched between peak filter and shelving filter modes. The 12 dB/octave high-pass filter can be set at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 100 Hz.

For more information on 500 Series modules, check out my article What Is 500 Series Audio Equipment & Is It Worth It?

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 (link to check the price at Plugin Boutique) is a powerful equalization plugin that offers everything we could want in an EQ, including dynamic, linear phase, parametric and, of course, mid-side EQ functionality.

Up to 24 bands can be easily added or removed from the Pro-Q 3 plugin. In addition to the wide variety of filter types (including brickwall), the Pro-Q 3 also offers customization of the order (dB/octave slope), centre or cutoff frequency, gain (±30 dB), and Q factor (0.025 to 40) of each band.

Most importantly, in the context of this article, is that each of these bands can be set to work on the side or mid channels of the audio signal. Note that left channel, right channel and stereo link are also options for each band.

FabFilter is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Audio Plugin (VST/AU/AAX) Brands In The World.

What are the different types of EQ? When it comes to audio equalization, there are several types of EQ to be aware of. They are as follows:

What is the mid-side miking technique? Mid-Side is a coincident stereo miking technique with a cardioid “mid” mic pointing at a source and a bidirectional “side” mic placed above or below facing left/right. The mid mic is mono/centre. The “side” mic signal is duplicated: one channel panned left, the other panned right and phase flipped.

Determining the best equalizer for your audio needs takes time, knowledge and effort. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Equalizer Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next EQ purchases.

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Building out your 500 Series system can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive 500 Series Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next 500 Series purchases.

This article has been approved in accordance with the My New Microphone Editorial Policy.