StereoView
by HoRNet · Utility · Stereo field visualizer
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StereoView is a free HoRNet meter that plots the stereo position and level of each sample, with a CRT-style persistence effect.
It has two display modes, fireworks and abstract, and a freely resizable window.
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: free, metering, samples & loops, visual feedback, wide, bus processing, resizable UI, full mix, hi-fi, mastering, mix bus, mono-compatible, reference & monitoring, thin, utility.
What it does
StereoView is HoRNet's free stereo field display, a goniometer that lets you see where each part of a mix sits and spot phase or balance problems. The developer pitches it as a way to make mixes that translate from hi-fi systems down to phone speakers.
- Stereo display: plots the stereo position and level of every sample, so width, placement and balance show up at a glance.
- Fireworks mode: draws each sample as a straight line out from the centre, which makes width and placement easy to read.
- Abstract mode: joins the samples into one continuous wire, which shows how the stereo image moves over time.
- CRT persistence: simulates the afterglow of an old cathode-ray screen, so movement leaves a short trail instead of flickering.
- Phase checking: out-of-phase material shows up clearly, warning you of parts that may cancel or thin out in mono.
- Scalable window: the interface can be resized freely, from a small corner meter to a large display.
The current version is 1.0.2 (September 2020), a maintenance release that fixed a crash in Logic Pro X 10.5. It is free.
When to use it
StereoView is a pick for anyone who wants a free, simple and good-looking view of the stereo image without a full metering suite. Compared with iZotope Insight 2, it shows only the stereo field: there is no loudness, spectrum or history metering, but it costs nothing and takes no setup. Voxengo SPAN is also free and adds a spectrum analyser, while StereoView puts the whole window into a larger, easier-to-read goniometer with two display styles. Next to bx_meter it gives less detail on balance and levels, but its fireworks and abstract modes make phase trouble obvious at a glance.
- Best for: quick checks of stereo width and placement, spotting out-of-phase parts before a mono check, and a visual meter on the mix bus.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: you need loudness, spectrum and stereo metering in one plugin (Insight 2) or a free spectrum analyser as well (SPAN).
Where to buy
- HoRNet: Free
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