Specifications

Like some high-end mastering compressors, Solera features a M/S (Mid/Side) encoder / decoder section. It encodes the
stereo inputs by summing left and right channels to produce the Mid and the right channel from the left channel to produce
the Side signal. M is now the mono component of the signal (bass drum, lead vocal, bass…). S describes the stereo
component of the signal. Processing both M and S components with a compressor allows to achieve unfeasible results for a
regular stereo device.
Classical case: One centered bass drum with a fluctuating level surrounded by a synthesizer pad. The M channel featuring
the bass drum can be processed without affecting the S channel featuring the Synthesizer pad.
Changing the S gain when decoding allows to control the stereo width (MS Width in Solera). The MS mode of the Solera
must only be used with stereo signal. Already MS encoded signal must be avoided if this mode is engaged.
Presets and Morphing
The lower section of the Solera features two identical preset sections. Every section includes a Recall, a Save, and a list
access buttons. Between sections A and B a horizontal slider controls the morphing of the settings between the two
sections. This architecture allows to load two different presets and to easily experiment intermediate settings. An
intermediate result can be saved as a new preset that can be used for a new morphing.
Auto Release
When Auto Release is selected as Release Mode, the release time varies automatically. This variation is needed to avoid
both pumping effect due to a too short value, and excessive processing due to a too long value. This automatic variation
prevents a very sensitive setting of the release time by user in most cases. The release value can be accessed in Manual
and Advanced modes.
Delay
A delay line can be inserted on the processed signal. Its main function is to produce null attack time for processing when the
delay value equals the Attack time. The Auto button automatically sets the delay value according to the Attack time. Setting
the delay time lower than the Attack time preserves the peaks from the processing action.
Dry Mix
The original signal can be mixed with the processed signal. The original audio peaks are kept to preserve the sensitive
information of the sound attacks and is added to the processed sound touching the body of every notes.
Note that this mix function takes into account the delay that may be introduced by the processing. The summation is done
before the clipper stage. The displayed gain also reflects the Dry Mix setting.
4.3 Solera II The Solera Concept
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