QSound Labs, Inc. QSYS/TDM & QX/TDM Plug-ins

by J. Arif Verner

If there is any company whose name is synonymous with 3D audio, it is QSound Labs. Simply put, their goal is to make the audio appear as if it originates beyond the speaker system. And yes, it does work. However, for best results, the listener should position himself or herself in the audio field’s “sweet-spot.” This is where you should be monitoring anyway! Set your speakers to the same height, angle and distance from the monitoring position. It is best to have the speakers at the same level as the ears. The “sweet-spot” and the two monitors should then form an equilateral triangle. It is really that simple. Also note that QSound processing works best with a stereo speaker system as opposed to headphones.

QSYS/TDM is designed primarily as a mono in (single or dual), stereo out processor. QX/TDM is for stereo inputs and outputs only. QSound has upgraded both programs to versions 2.0. With these new upgrades, the company has changed the user interfaces, improved the feature sets, added Pro Tools 4.0 automation and a librarian to save parameter settings.

QSYS/TDM

Against a slick blue background, the QSYS/TDM pop-up window is divided into Channels one and two. The top portion of the window contains a graphic display area for two independent Autopanners. These panners are designed for repetitive or cyclic motion effects. The direction of each pan position is determined by constructing a user-defined line. By clicking the mouse on the line, break-points are created. These break-points allow the user to angle the line and pull it in any direction. The creative sound editor can make any kind of angled lines, zig-zags, circles, etc. An on-screen Locator ball then travels along the edited line to indicate the movement of the Autopanner. One or two different Autopanners can function at the same time. The speed and direction of each Locator ball is controlled at the bottom of the window by on-screen parameter settings. Pro Tools 4.0 automation can be used to simplify panning parameters. For example, pan automation can be set to start and stop at specific locations in a song. Hopefully, QSound will include a level setting for the Autopanner in a future upgrade. This would allow for greater control of the mix effect.

The main parameters for the 3D processing are Delay and Xover. Delay is used primarily for multiple input sources. A slight delay (3 - 10 ms) on one of the input tracks can create a more dramatic effect. Delay times are available to a maximum of 30 milliseconds. The Xover control is an adjustable Crossover filter. The function of the Xover is to split the audio spectrum into two parts. Frequencies below the crossover point are not processed with the QSound effect. This helps control mono compatibility and also acts as a type of mix control. As the frequency of the Xover point is increased, the QSound effect is minimized. Adjustable settings range from 20 Hz to 500 Hz in 1 Hz increments (the default setting is 150 Hz).

QX/TDM

The main screen area of QX/TDM is simple and straight forward. Three main adjustable parameters include Center Drop, Spread and Xover. These are graphically illustrated as three parallel columns. Each column has a vertical “slider” for adjusting the amount of the frequency. At the bottom of each column is a numerical display of the setting.

The Center Drop Control affects the treatment of mono (center-panned) material in QX/TDM. In other words, it acts as a type of ‘Center Wet/Dry’ control. Settings range from 0dB to -20dB. For maximum mono-compatibility, leave the control at the default setting of 0dB. If the Center Drop control is reduced, more of the mono content is processed. At an extreme setting of -20dB, the sound becomes rather thin and soft in the center.

As the name implies, the Spread Control regulates the width of the image. And the width is a combination of the Spread control setting and the width of the original stereo image. The default setting is 0dB. This represents maximum processing. Reducing the setting to -20dB brings the perceived width of the image back towards regular stereo.

Like QSYS/TDM, the QX/TDM Xover allows unprocessed low-frequencies to pass directly to the output. Again, the logic is that low-frequencies are non-directional. As sound drops to a few hundred Hertz, it becomes difficult to tell where it is coming from. Therefore the unprocessed signal offers increased mono compatibility in addition to low frequency localization. The frequency range and default settings in the QX/TDM Xover are the same as QSYS/TDM.

While these parameter settings are easy enough to understand, it is obvious that they all work hand in hand. So expect to do some experimenting. There are a lot of possible variations. This holds true for both plug-ins.

Summary

QSound is an encode-only process. No special decoding equipment is needed for playback - only a stereo system. Like other signal processors of this kind, equalization can be affected by the amount of processing. I found that QSound makes the audio lighter and more transparent. Used in excess, and it may become thin and distant. A little bit goes a long way. Most often, QSound works best on selected tracks rather than the whole mix. However, do your own experimenting.

Any wish list items for these 2 plug-ins? Yes, I’d like to see some kind of wet/dry meters on the interface. This may be a security blanket, but for those dealing with mono compatibility (Internet audio, multimedia games, AM radio, etc.), it is better to be safe than sorry. Not to mention that is would simplify the mixing process.

Used judiciously, both QSYS/TDM and QX/TDM can put new dimensions into your sound. But the good news (other than the new features) is that QSound has dramatically reduced the price of these 2 plug-ins. Isn’t that the way all upgrades should be?

Price : QSYS/TDM - $495
QX/TDM - $195

Product Points

Plus
+ Convincing 3D effects
+ Easy user interfaces
+ Good manuals

Minus
- No metering display
- Can cause phase cancellation if used in excess

The Score
An effective 3D processor for music, film, sound effects or multimedia.