Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro

Name: Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro
Price: 93.08 USD
Author: Blue Cat Audio

by Blue Cat Audio · Utility · Stereo field analyser

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Blue Cat's StereoScope Pro by Blue Cat Audio

StereoScope Pro analyses how a signal is spread across the stereo field, with three views, a 3D waterfall and a correlation meter.

It helps find phase and mono compatibility problems and can output values as automation or MIDI; it costs $99.

Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: wide, spacious, built-in analyzer, mono-compatible, metering, mastering, MIDI-controllable, full mix, mixing, A/B compare, bus processing, evolving, mix bus, nostalgic, utility, visual feedback.

What it does

StereoScope Pro is Blue Cat Audio's real-time stereo image analyser, built to show how a signal is spread across the stereo field and to catch phase and mono problems. It can also turn what it measures into automation or MIDI to drive other effects.

Stereo field display: a real-time view of where the signal's energy sits between left and right, with instant, peak and average curves.
Stereogram: shows how the stereo image evolves over time, in 2D or 3D.
3D waterfall: a fully rotatable 3D history view, drawn solid or as wireframe.
Correlation meter: built in, for spotting phase cancellation and mono compatibility issues.
Measurements: stereo spread readings, custom absolute and relative thresholds, and animated zoom in every view.
Memories: four slots to store curves for A/B comparison between tracks or effect setups; curves can be saved as files or copied between instances.
Output parameters: minimum and maximum stereo positions and an energy-based perceived position, sent as automation or MIDI CC at a data rate of 20 to 500 Hz, with MIDI Learn.

KVR lists version 2.14, while the developer page lists 2.12 as the latest. The demo is limited to one instance per session and freezes for 4 seconds every 40 seconds.

Source: Blue Cat Audio product page

When to use it

StereoScope Pro is the better pick when the stereo field is the only thing you want to study, in depth. Compared with Insight 2, which includes a vectorscope and correlation meter among its loudness and spectrum meters, it adds a stereogram history, a 3D waterfall and four memory slots for comparing mixes, but no loudness or spectrum metering. Unlike SPAN, which centres on the frequency spectrum, it is dedicated to width, balance and phase. Its automation and MIDI CC outputs are unusual for an analyser and let it drive other plugins from stereo position, which suits sound design as well as mix checks.

Best for: checking stereo width, balance and mono compatibility in mixing and mastering, and comparing the image of two mixes or effect settings.
Genres: any.
Look elsewhere if: you want loudness, spectrum and stereo metering in one window; Insight 2 covers more.
Tip: store a reference track's curve in a memory slot, then compare your mix against it while you adjust width.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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