Polarity Maximizer

Overview

A common task when dealing with audio in a multi-mic recording (e.g., of a drum set, piano, guitar, or a whole band) is to invert the polarity of certain tracks to create a mix with the least amount of signal cancellation. When dealing with a larger number of tracks, this process can be difficult or practically infeasible (with just 10 microphones there are actually 210 = 1024 possible polarity configurations!).

Polarity Maximizer is a multi-track plug-in that additionally routes audio from several audio tracks to a single master controller that analyses the audio and automatically sets the appropriate polarity (in/out) of each track.

Simply insert the plug-in on each track, and the master controller performs a one-time polarity analysis after playback. The method uses a special signal-processing algorithm to determine the optimal polarities (rather than rotating or affecting individual phase characteristics of the audio) that also guarantees the maximum RMS output level of the combined tracks. The controller automatically sets the appropriate polarity (in/out) in the plug-in for each track. After analysis, the plug-ins act only as a low-latency pass-through of the polarity-corrected audio.

Download Polarity Maximizer to start Maximizing your sound!

Plug-in Formats

Polarity Maximizer is available in AAX, RTAS, VST, and AU plug-in formats for Mac OS X and Windows (32/64-bit).

(Note: For Pro Tools 10.3.5 and earlier, please install and use the RTAS version instead of AAX)

Minimum Requirements

Mac: Intel Mac with OS X 10.7 or higher; AAX, RTAS, AU, or VST compatible DAW. * Full compatibility with Yosemite is currently being tested (please download and try the demo before purchase).

PC: Microsoft Windows XP or higher; AAX, RTAS, or VST compatible DAW.

Purchasing

Polarity Maximixer distribution (sales, demo download) now occurs through our new partners at Hack Audio (the purchase and trial buttons below will take you directly to their distribution site):

Buy Now for $49 USD 14-day Trial

Extras

User manual

Sample drum tracks (for evaluation purposes only)

Screenshots

Working

Working

Master

Master

Send Mono

Send Mono

Send Stereo

Send Stereo

Key Features

  • Automatic setting of multi-track polarities for ensemble miking
  • Works on both mono and stereo tracks
  • Gain control (w/ dbFS meter) available for DAWS with pre-fader inserts
  • Additional mode to emphasize low-end frequencies
  • A/B comparison of pre/post polarity changes
  • Optional lightning-fast approximate algorithm to quickly analyze extremely large track counts
  • Up to 64 tracks in normal mode (virtually unlimited in fast mode)
  • Stereo link mode for matched polarities and efficient processing of mono signals on a stereo track
  • Built-in support for multi-core and SSE/AVX processor acceleration

Examples

Please listen on quality speakers or headphones

Share your results with us for the demo player!

See our Ad in Sound on Sound magazine (Sept. 2014)

Overview of Polarity Maximizer by Bobby Owsinski

Review of Polarity Maximizer by Hilltown Studios

Video demo of Polarity Maximizer by Eric Tarr and The Pro Audio Files