Slightly raise the Input Gain in the Input-Output section or adjust the target loudness in the dynamics section to a higher value (e.g., from -23 LUFS to -16 LUFS for streaming). Issue B: The Audio Sound "Pumpy"
High density settings in the Hans van Zutphen clipper can make the output sound rigid and tiring to the ear. Step 1: Solving the "Won't Save" Issue
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If bands are working too independently, the tonal balance of the song will shift unnaturally. Linking them slightly helps maintain the original mix's intent. stereo tool preset fixed
Stereo Tool is incredibly powerful, but its flexibility is a double-edged sword. Out-of-the-box settings can sound flat, while overly aggressive tweaking can introduce digital distortion and ear fatigue. A "fixed" preset serves several critical functions:
If you are running Stereo Tool as a standalone application or via a radio automation system (like RadioDJ or PlayoutOne), configure the software to boot automatically with your fixed preset. You can do this by pointing the application shortcuts directly to your .sts preset file. Step 3: Password Protect / Lock the GUI
If your preset causes vocals to drown out or the bass to distort randomly, the multiband compressor needs stabilization. Open the tab. Locate the Relative Attack and Relative Release times. Slightly raise the Input Gain in the Input-Output
For a solo podcast or a news anchor using the same microphone in a treated studio, a "fixed" preset is ideal. Once you've dialed in the perfect EQ to fix an overly resonant low-end or a peaky high-frequency "ess" sound, you can lock it and not worry about the processing fighting itself.
The final stage is the limiter. In a fixed setup, this is configured to a hard ceiling (typically for streaming or strict MPX levels for FM transmitters). It guarantees that no matter how loud the input becomes, the output will never clip your digital stream or over-modulate the transmitter. Troubleshooting Common Preset Issues Root Cause Fixed Solution Audio sounds "pumping" or breathing. Attack/Release times too fast; Input gain too high.
When a song fades out, a powerful AGC might boost the background tape hiss or microphone hum. To fix this, adjust the Gate Threshold in the AGC menu. This tells Stereo Tool to stop amplifying the audio if it drops below a certain silence threshold. The Bottom Line This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted
🚀 Always keep a "Dry" backup of your preset before making incremental changes. Small tweaks to the final limiter can drastically change the texture of the entire chain. If you'd like to refine this further, I can help with: Specific parameter values for FM vs. Web streaming Step-by-step instructions for importing .sts files Recommendations for the best base presets to start from
If you want a preset that feels dynamic rather than "fixed," try these adjustments within your current preset:
The benefits of using Stereo Tool preset fixed are numerous:
If your presets aren't appearing or are causing crashes, follow these steps: