Phantom Center is a stereo imaging plugin designed to extract the phantom center from stereo signals, offering a unique approach distinct from traditional mid/side processing. It enhances the clarity and separation within a stereo mix by isolating the center content without blending or compromising the side signals. This method ensures that elements positioned in the stereo field remain precisely where intended, preserving the integrity of the mix.

Unlike typical mid/side processors where side components are negatively correlated, Phantom Center maintains a much lower correlation between side signals. This means that hard-panned audio elements remain isolated and do not bleed into the center or opposite side, providing cleaner and more accurate spatial separation. This feature is particularly beneficial for maintaining the original stereo image while enabling targeted processing of center and side elements.

Phantom Center includes adjustable parameters such as high-pass filter, low-pass filter, smoothing, and width controls that allow precise customization of the phantom center extraction. These controls help tailor the selectivity and responsiveness of the plugin to suit various mixing scenarios. Additionally, users can obtain separated left, center, and right channels for individual processing, offering greater flexibility in shaping the stereo image and enhancing mix depth.