Magic Death Eye Stereo is a term that describes a captivating and intriguing phenomenon in the realm of audio engineering and music production. It refers to a specific piece of gear known as the "Stereo Compressor," which has gained immense popularity among professional musicians, producers, and engineers. The Death Eye Stereo Compressor is manufactured by a renowned company called "Golden Age Project" and has gained a cult following due to its unique characteristics and exceptional sound quality. Many audio enthusiasts believe that this compressor has a magical ability to add life, depth, and dimension to any audio source it is applied to. The Death Eye Stereo Compressor features an optical design, which means it uses an electro-optical element to control gain reduction. This optical component is often referred to as the "magic eye" due to its mesmerizing visual display.
MagicDeathEyeStereo
The second product of the ongoing and very fruitful collaboration with MagicDeathEye is a faithful emulation of their stereo master buss compressor & equalizer. From the description of the hardware: “The stereo compressor is two mono compressor circuits with some extras designed for mastering and buss compression duties. This new version has an added EQ section. There are two (boost only) bands with two frequency selections each. The EQ is worked into the Variable Mu tube gain structure. This means it is not before or after the compression section, it is within it! The EQ circuit is inductor based and has wide curves for giving program material that “little something”. There is also a two frequency low cut for tightening up out of control bass. The boost of the bands can be 5dB or 3dB split between 5 steps. I spent a lot of time shaping this EQ mastering everyday and fine tuning the components on the weekends. It sounds absolutely fabulous!”
So apart from the second channel, which, unlike in its hardware role model, has already been added in the “mono” MDE plugin, we have an added EQ section here, and the compression curve is actually quite different from the mono version. If one would ask about the difference in purpose of the two, the mono compressor would usually go on individual tracks, while the stereo compressor, with its noticeably more gentle compression curve and the additional EQ options, would go on the master buss.
Of course, while trying to stay as close to the hardware as possible sound-wise, we have again taken the liberty to implement some additional goodies in the software plugin: the high frequency EQ can be applied to the full stereo field, the mid or the side signal only. Conversely, for the low frequency range, an optional elliptical filter on the side signal will be very helpful when mastering for vinyl. The amount of harmonic distortion can be varied from 0 to 100 percent, where 50 percent corresponds to the level of the hardware unit. In- and output gain can be linked. Finally, there is an option for 2- or even 4-fold oversampling within the plugin!
Clearly, this magnificent tube compressor is not just a slight variation of the mono model: while effortlessly demonstrating that smooth and musical MagicDeathEye signature sound, it has a different feel to it. The few fortunate people who were already able to score their own build of both the mono and the stereo version (they are hard to come by as Ian is building each and everyone of them by hand) will know what I’m talking about! For the rest of you, now is your chance to compare the two masterpieces in the box!
“I love how warm and present the MDE makes my vocals and guitars. The new mastering version is also unique to all the other mastering compressors because of how musically it treats the midrange.” Michael Brauer (Grammy winner, Coldplay, John Mayer,…)
Available as a VST, VST3, AU and AAX plugin in 32 and 64 bit format for Windows and Mac OSX (10.7 and higher). Intel & Apple Silicon supported. The plugin is also available for iOS as a plugin in AUv3 format, which you can directly use in compatible hosts like Garageband or Cubasis…
Documentation
NOTE: If you don’t feel comfortable sticking a small screwdriver on the circuit board pot don’t do it. Just set the big screwdriver adjust balance pot on the front panel in the center most position after replacing the tubes. The balance LED light will probably be either red or green with no audio. The color of the light has nothing to do with the sound. Just ignore it and let you ears decide when the tubes become unbalanced in the future.
1) Unplug the unit and take the cover off by unscrewing all the phillips screws on the top. Then remove the two top allen screws on the front panel, one above the input knob and one above the time constant knob. Remove top.
2) With a flat head screwdriver twist the front panel balance pot both directions to get a feel for where the center of the turn is. If it had a knob on it (it doesn’t) and numbers from 1 to 10, you would want to the knob to sit at 5. Leave it in the middle.
3) Remove the 8 tubes by slightly rotating them while pulling up. Put them aside.
4) The new matched set of tubes will be numbered 1-8 in they’re boxes. Put them in according to the diagram below.
5) Make sure all tubes are in firmly. Plug the unit in and turn it on. Let the compressor warm up for a good 15 minutes.
6) After warm up, the LED on the front panel will most likely be red or green. Use a small eye glass screwdriver to adjust the small pot on the tube board circled in the picture above. This is where you should be careful not to drop the screwdriver onto the tube board around the tubes since there is 200V on the board. Keep turning it till the LED turns off. If you keep turning it further the LED will turn the opposite color. You don’t want it to be red or green but right between the two colors and off. It may take many turns to turn the led off. If it wont turn off after 10 or so rotations, turn it the other way.
7) Turn the unit off and unplug it. Replace the top, all the phillips screws, and the two allen screws on the front. Your done.
****New style – Tubes out the back****
Same basic principal as the old style. You must rotate the tubes in order to remove them. I recommend using electronics lubricant spray for re-installation of the new tubes. Spray some on the new tube pins before you put them in. It makes installation a lot easier.
***Balance LED adjustment on the new MONO version with the tubes sticking out the back***
Again, after tube replacement and front panel screw driver pot centering. Adjust the multiturn trim pot inside the MONO compressor until the front panel LED turns out.
***A word about tube matching***
The variable mu tube circuit needs tubes to be matched in order to be able to achieve deep gain reduction without “thumping” or “fluttering”. All 8 tubes don’t have to be matched perfectly. However, it is important that the two vertical tubes in the set of 8 match very closely.
The most common problem with the GE tubes I use is a “ticking” or “splatting” sound that sometimes starts to happen after a year or so of use. If the noisy tube can be found by gently tapping on each tube while monitoring the compressor pretty loud, you can just replace the vertical tube pair instead of the whole set.
****Stereo compressor complications****
With the stereo compressor, we want the two sides to compress the same and to achieve this, both sets of tubes must be closely matched. Its a bit of a hassle to replace 16 tubes so its best to sent the unit back to me at the Magic Death Eye castle so I can install both sets and calibrate the unit for best performance. Service is always free, the user only pays shipping and tube cost.
Adjusting the balance LED is a little more complicated as well. The balance pot is a multi-turn pot so it is harder to find the center after a new re-tube.
Replacing noisy tubes video.
MagicDeathEye DDMF compressor 4+
True hardware compressor emulation on mobile devices!
MagicDeathEye is an emulation of a high-end tube compressor, available in AUv3 and interapp audio format. It is totally unique in the way it was molded from the ground up. Working together for almost a year Magic Death Eye and DDMF offer an extraordinary compressor, rich in sound, easy to control, and pleasing to the eye! We hope you enjoy it so much, it becomes your go to compressor and an indispensable mix tool.
The Magic Death Eye compressor excels at vocals, bass, keys, or just about any instrument you can think of. Its gentle compression curve is also suited for master buss duties. There is a broad range of sidechain timings for just about anything a mix can throw at it.
Input level controls the amount of signal that enters the intelligently modeled input transformer, tubes, and output transformer.
Threshold controls the amount of signal fed to the sidechain circuit and can be thought of as the amount of compression applied to the signal. The amount of compression available is also determined by the amount of input signal present.
Clicking on the "output adjust" will produce a fader with a +5dB to -20dB range acting as a master volume post compressor circuit. This is a modification to the original hardware unit in where there is only 3db of fine adjustment available.
The "time" knob controls the attack and release of the compression. "1" is the fastest attack and release, "4" is the slowest. "D1" and "D2" have a fast attack, and a dual release, from medium to slow.
The "attack" switch, modifies all the "time" settings with an overall Fast, Medium, or Slow. response.
The "150Hz filter switch, when in the UP position, lessens frequencies under 150Hz sent to the side chain. Use this switch if you don't want low frequency material like a kick drum to pump the rest of the music. Very useful for gently compressing a whole mix.
Staying true to the hardware, The bypass and power switch have the same function. Both preform a hard bypass in which the signal is not processed.
This optical component is often referred to as the "magic eye" due to its mesmerizing visual display. The magic eye swings and dances in response to the audio input, creating a stunning visual representation of the compression process. However, the visual beauty of the magic eye is just a small part of what makes the Death Eye Stereo Compressor so special.
It also has an exquisite tonal character that adds warmth, punch, and glue to the audio signal. When used on a stereo mix or individual tracks, this compressor can enhance the overall balance and cohesiveness of the music, making it sound more polished and professional. One of the standout features of the Death Eye Stereo Compressor is the ability to control the stereo image. With its dual-channel operation, this compressor allows users to tweak the width and spatial positioning of the audio signal. This not only enhances the depth perception of the mix but also creates a more immersive listening experience. Another noteworthy aspect of the Death Eye Stereo Compressor is its versatility. It can be used in various audio applications, from tracking and mixing to mastering and post-production. The transparent and musical compression provided by this device makes it suitable for a wide range of genres and musical styles. In conclusion, the Magic Death Eye Stereo represents the fascination and admiration that audio professionals have for the Death Eye Stereo Compressor. Its mesmerizing visual display, coupled with its sonic excellence and functionality, have solidified its status as a beloved piece of audio equipment. Whether used in a professional studio or a home recording setup, the Death Eye Stereo Compressor has the power to elevate and transform the sound of music, leaving a lasting impression on both the artists and the listeners..
Reviews for "The Ethical Dilemmas of Magic Death Eye Stereo: Balancing Fantasy and Reality"
- Name: Sarah
Rating: 2/5
Review: I was really disappointed with the "Magic death eye stereo" album. The songs all sounded so similar, and there was no variation in the instrumentation or melodies. After a while, it all started to blend together and became background noise. I was expecting some catchy hooks or memorable lyrics, but unfortunately, there was nothing that stuck with me. Overall, it was a forgettable listening experience.
- Name: Mike
Rating: 1/5
Review: I regret purchasing the "Magic death eye stereo" album. The production quality was poor, with muddy sound and unbalanced levels. It felt like the musicians didn't put much effort into the recording, as the performances felt lackluster and uninspired. The songwriting was also weak, with cliché lyrics and predictable progressions. I was hoping for a fresh and innovative sound, but instead, I was left unimpressed and unsatisfied.
- Name: Emily
Rating: 2/5
Review: I wanted to like the "Magic death eye stereo" album, but it just didn't resonate with me. The songs lacked depth and emotional connection, making it hard for me to get invested in the music. Additionally, the vocals were lackluster and seemed out of tune at times. The album felt like a missed opportunity for the band to showcase their talent and create something truly memorable. Overall, it was a forgettable listening experience that didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
- Name: John
Rating: 2/5
Review: The "Magic death eye stereo" album didn't live up to the hype for me. The songs were predictable and lacked originality. It felt like I had heard it all before from other artists. The production quality was also subpar, with a lack of clarity and dynamics. Overall, it just didn't stand out in a saturated music market, and I was left feeling underwhelmed. I was hoping for something more unique and captivating, but unfortunately, this album fell short.