mstools by mdsp offers a unique suite of audio processing tools designed to work with stereo signals through the middle and side channels rather than the conventional left and right. This approach allows for nuanced control over the stereo image, enabling subtle yet impactful effects that can enhance your mix in creative ways. The collection includes various processors that focus specifically on manipulating the mid and side components of a stereo track.

Included in mstools are msEncode and msDecode, which serve as converters that map the middle channel to the left and the side channel to the right, allowing you to insert your own effects between these stages. The suite also features msComp, a compressor that targets only the middle channel, making it ideal for boosting a mix's presence without altering the stereo width. msBalance provides independent gain controls for the middle and side signals, giving you precise control over the stereo field.

Additional tools like msSwap, which exchanges the middle and side channels, offer creative routing options such as compressing the side channel instead of the middle. msDelay introduces a straightforward analog-style delay effect that can be applied individually to the middle or side signal, adding depth and space to your stereo mix. Overall, mstools delivers a focused set of effects that empower you to sculpt your stereo image with clarity and flexibility.