PHIXER mono compatibility checklist (fold-down, correlation, phase)
A mono fold-down checklist is a habit, not a panic button. Sum L+R honestly. Read the correlation meter / goniometer. Fix polarity and attack timing first. Free frequency-aware phase rotation helps only after residual L/R spectral fights remain on a stereo bed you must keep stereo.
Download PHIXER free YouTube tutorial
PHIXER is free stereo phase-repair (VST3/CLAP/AU · Win/Mac/Linux) from Riverflux Audio. Frequency-aware phase rotation for leftover L/R fights on stereo material. It is not a correlation meter, not a 180 invert, not a time-align delay, and not a stereo imager. Use this checklist to name the problem; use PHIXER after hygiene, when residual spectral cancellation remains.
Three fold-down failure modes this checklist covers
- Phone / club / livestream fold scoops the body. Classic anti-correlation or late attack. Polarity and timing first; then residual rotation if the stereo bed must stay stereo. Cousin: correlation meter / goniometer.
- Headphones sound huge while mono still thins. Width display is not mono proof. Confirm with a true L+R sum. Habit: mono check workflow.
- Treating Ø, Haas, or imaging as the same fix. Invert, short delay, and continuous rotation are different jobs. Cousin: polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation.
Mono compatibility checklist (about 90 seconds)
- Sum L+R with a monitor controller or utility. Do not mute one side to "hear the problem."
- Watch correlation / goniometer on a sustained soft source and a kick hit. Note dips toward 0 or -1.
- Flip Ø on one path. Keep the flip that returns body. If mono weight returns fully, stop.
- Nudge attack timing a few samples if invert helps only part of the transient. Re-check on a phone speaker.
- Only then audition residual L/R spectral fights if the stereo bed must stay stereo and a band still cancels. Prove any change with mono A/B. Demo: mono demo.
Honest order of fixes (before spectral phase rotation)
1. True mono sum first
Fold-down is L+R, not a soloed side. Habit: mono check.
2. Read the meter, then listen
Correlation / goniometer hints; ears decide. Guide: correlation meter / goniometer and fixing negative correlation. Plain meters guide: how to read correlation and phase meters.
3. Polarity invert (180) before rotation
Flip Ø on one mic, one bus path, or one delayed side while mono. Guide: polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation.
4. Attack timing before spectral tools
Nudge a few samples so transient peaks agree. A correlation needle will not slide a late transient for you.
5. Skip when invert or a mono print is enough
If Ø or a mono-safe center print solves the scoop, stop. Honesty list: When not to use PHIXER.
6. Only then residual frequency-aware phase rotation
If the stereo bed must stay stereo and fold still hollows after invert and timing, gentle rotation can help. Prove it with mono A/B. Watch the YouTube tutorial and the mono demo.
Checklist table (fold-down / correlation / phase)
| Check | Pass signal | Fail signal | First fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| True L+R sum | Body stays on phone / club fold | Bass / body scoops | Do not mute one side; sum honestly |
| Correlation near +1 | Strong mono; maybe narrow | Needle toward 0 / -1 | Listen in mono; less width if needed |
| Needle toward -1 | Rare on healthy beds | Hard cancel on fold | Flip Ø; then timing; then residual rotation |
| Goniometer vertical | Near-mono content | Flat horizontal smear | Polarity first; mono A/B |
| After imaging / Haas | Fold still solid | Streaming / phone thins | Less width; shorter delay; Haas cousin |
| Polarity flip test | One flip restores body | Neither flip fully restores | Timing next; then residual rotation |
Compare pages (short version)
- Correlation meter / goniometer: russet-pebble-we3h.
- Mono demo: sable-marvel-j3rp.
- Mono check habit: mineral-mosaic-d46c.
- Polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation: granite-opera-7wk6.
- How to read correlation and phase meters: polite-glider-cpqx.
When not to reach for PHIXER
- Wrong polarity on one path (flip Ø first).
- Obvious attack misalignment (nudge first).
- You only need a mono-safe center print, not a stereo bus.
- Intentional thin mono that is meant to stay edge-only.
- Honesty list: When not to use PHIXER.
Related guides
- PHIXER for Correlation Meter / Goniometer and fixing negative correlation with phase
- Mono demo
- Mono check workflow
- PHIXER for polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation
- How to read correlation and phase meters
- PHIXER for Haas Effect / short delay stereo and mono phase cancel
- Broadcast / radio / TV delivery mono
- PHIXER for mastering
- What's new / launch assets
- When not
- Hub
- Product