What are some tools or plugins that can help you detect and resolve phase issues in audio recording?

1 Phase meters

A phase meter is a simple but useful tool that shows you the phase relationship between two or more signals. It usually consists of a circular display with a needle that indicates the phase angle and the correlation coefficient. A phase meter can help you check if your signals are in phase, out of phase, or somewhere in between. You can use a phase meter to adjust the polarity, timing, or placement of your microphones or sources until you achieve the best phase alignment and coherence.

2 Phase inverters

A phase inverter is a plugin or a feature that allows you to flip the polarity of a signal by 180 degrees. This can be useful when you have two signals that are out of phase due to opposite polarity, such as when using a microphone with a reversed wiring or a DI box with a ground lift switch. By inverting the polarity of one of the signals, you can bring them back in phase and avoid phase cancellation. You can find phase inverters in most DAWs, mixers, or preamps, or use dedicated plugins like Voxengo PHA-979 or Sound Radix Pi.

3 Phase aligners

A phase aligner is a plugin that automatically adjusts the timing and phase of multiple signals to achieve the best possible alignment and coherence. This can be helpful when you have signals that are out of phase due to different distances, delays, or filters, such as when using close and distant microphones or combining direct and processed signals. A phase aligner can analyze the signals and apply the necessary delay, phase shift, or EQ to make them match and blend better. Some examples of phase aligners are Waves InPhase, MAAT RSPhaseShifter, or Boz Digital Labs Little Foot.

4 Phase correction

A phase correction is a plugin that modifies the phase response of a signal to make it more linear and consistent. This can improve the quality and accuracy of the signal, especially when using EQ, compression, or other effects that can introduce phase distortion. A phase correction can also reduce comb filtering, ringing, or smearing artifacts that can occur when combining signals with different phase responses. Some examples of phase correction plugins are FabFilter Pro-Q 3, DMG Audio EQuilibrium, or Eventide Newfangled Elevate.

5 Phase monitors

A phase monitor is a plugin that lets you listen to the phase difference between two or more signals. It usually works by creating a mono sum or difference signal that reveals the phase cancellation or reinforcement between the signals. You can use a phase monitor to identify and isolate phase issues, or to compare and contrast different phase settings or plugins. You can also use a phase monitor to create special effects like mid-side processing, stereo widening, or frequency splitting. Some examples of phase monitors are Voxengo MSED, Brainworx bx_solo, or Goodhertz Midside.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?