Mono-a-Mono is a unique audio restoration program which operates on two-channel stereo recordings. It can act as a "de-mixer" or a "vocal remover", as well as its original function, as a "mono enhancer" for rejuvenating vintage audio recordings (33 or 45 rpm records, 78s, cylinder recordings, tapes, etc.). At the core of Mono-a-Mono is its ability to decompose a two-channel input into three separate signals: one made up of the components common to both left and right channels (the centre channel), another containing those present only on the left, and the third, those only on the right. Using all three signals, Mono-a-Mono acts as a "de-mixer", allowing the recording to be re-mixed without access to the original master tapes, so as to change the tonal balance or position of the sources within the sound stage. Using only the centre channel allows Mono-a-Mono to remove almost all the hiss and crackle associated with vintage mono recordings, as long as they have been reproduced and digitised in stereo. In this mode, it acts as a powerful "mono enhancer" which separates the noise from the signal, and outputs only the mono signal corresponding to the original recording. Finally, the program can also act as a "vocal remover" by producing separate left-only and right-only signals. In this case, the centre channel is discarded, (usually) including the lead vocals. Mono-a-Mono is unusual in that it will remove the centre channel even if it was placed off-centre by the original mixing engineer, or if left and right playback circuitry is not perfectly matched. Whichever mode of operation is used, Mono-a-Mono further enhances all its output signals by removing any obvious pops or clicks, suppressing any steady background noise (hiss), reducing the audibility of any distortion during louder periods, and applying a number of user-configurable filtering functions: high-pass rumble filter, low-pass hiss filter and a shelving equalisation filter.
VERSION HISTORY
- Version 5.8 posted on 2020-01-03
Improved click suppression; Added soft limiting to reduce audibility of clipped samples; Reduced target amplitude a little. - Version 5.6 posted on 2017-11-19
Added Unicode filename support; 70% faster processing. - Version 5.5 posted on 2017-01-28
Improved time-registration between original and processed signals. Allowed scratch remover to be disabled by setting slider to zero. - Version 2.14 posted on 2009-01-18
Improved rejuvenator (distortion remover) and adjusted default silence enhancer setting.
Program Details
- Category: Audio & Multimedia > Other
- Publisher: Steve Beet
- License: Free Trial
- Price: $19.50
- Version: 5.8
- Platform: windows
EULA
Mono-a-Mono ("the software") consists of an executable file ("the program") and a license agreement ("the agreement"). "The program" is available in two forms: "the trial version" and "the full version". They can be differentiated by running "the program" and clicking on the "About" button. "The full version" must not be distributed without the explicit written permission of Steve Beet ("the author"), except as described in the remainder of this paragraph. It is licensed to one individual ("the licensee"), and each licence permits use by that person only, and on only one computer at a time. "The program" may be copied by "the licensee", as long as only "the licensee" uses "the program" and its copy or copies, and only one instance of "the program" and its copy or copies is running at any one time. "The licensee" may only transfer their licence to a third party if "the licensee" immediately destroys "the program" and any and all copies covered by the original licence, and the third party agrees to be bound as "the licensee" by the terms of "the agreement". "The program" must not be leased or used to provide on-line services to any third party or parties. Mono-a-Mono uses small portions of the sndlib audio I/O library. The remainder of "the software" is Copyright 2007-20020, Steve Beet. The whole package is provided "as-is" and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall "the author" be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.