Load your broken preset. Play pink noise or a commercial reference track. Look at the (top left in the standalone version). The green bars should hover around "0" on the AGC scale. If they are consistently in the red or stuck in the "Gain Reduction" zone, your input is too hot. Fix: Turn down the "Input gain" slider until the needle rests calmly at 0.
Ensure your final output doesn't exceed -1dBTP (decibels true peak) for streaming, or appropriate FM limits if you are broadcasting. This prevents distortion. Top "Fixed" Preset Types in Stereo Tool
If you find the interface overwhelming, switch to Basic mode after fixing your settings. This "fixes" the UI so you don't accidentally move a slider that ruins your sound. stereo tool preset fixed
Set the to a maximum of 12 dB to prevent background noise from rushing up during silence.
Whether you want a "loud and punchy" sound or a "warm and natural" feel, a fixed preset keeps your sonic identity consistent, making your station or stream immediately recognizable. How to Set Up and "Fix" a Preset in Stereo Tool Load your broken preset
A "fixed" preset approach means taking a trusted, pre-configured setup and preventing accidental changes. Instead of constantly tweaking the multiband compressor, clipper, or stereo widening settings, you lock them in. This strategy is crucial for:
A 5-band or 7-band configuration is ideal for a fixed preset. Keep the ratios moderate (around 2:1 or 3:1) and use the "Absolute Highs" and "Bass Dynamic" features to keep the texture uniform, whether playing music from the 1970s or the 2020s. ⚡ Phase 4: The Loudness Stage (Advanced Clipper) The green bars should hover around "0" on the AGC scale
Enable the Perfect Declipper . Leave it on a moderate, fixed threshold. This module dynamically recreates lost musical peaks, restoring up to 10 dB of dynamic range before the audio hits your compressors. 🎚️ Phase 2: The Leveling Stage (AGC)