The newly released Stereo Tool from Mensla combines a customizable vectorscope and stereo shaper in a single free plugin.
Mensla (Angelo Fazari) is the developer behind previous freebies, including FMD (FM distortion) and MS-3 (waveshaper synth).
Stereo Tool is available in AU and VST formats for macOS, Windows, and Linux. I’m on macOS Sonoma 14.5, and the plugin functions perfectly.
However, it’s one of many that Apple doesn’t want to open, and you’ll need to head to settings, privacy & security, and select “open anyway.”
Once opened, there are no functionality issues, but Logic Pro X seems determined to list it under “Incompatible” rather than Mensla (even after a reinstall). I might be alone in the categorization issue, but if you don’t see Mensla on your list, check “Incompatible.”
Windows users should face similar issues with Defender, so feel free to share below.
Stereo Tool follows the same design aesthetic as previous Mensla releases, but we get a resizable GUI for the first time.
Despite being fairly compact, the interface intuitively displays all parameters and visual feedback.
Stereo Tool applies delay and filters to the left and right channels to create a utility or creative effect. The plugin offers five filter types: All Pass, Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, and Notch.
Whether you’re trying to add a pseudo-stereo effect to a mono source or do something more creative with longer delays, you can get some very pleasing results.
In addition to the filters and delays, you get six mid-side algorithms: Soft Distortion, Foldback, Rectify, Poly, Crush, and Shaper.
At the top of the GUI, you’ll find Mid/Side saturation controls on either side of a Width slider to add depth.
An interesting element of Stereo Tool is the PassThru button, which allows the dry signal to pass through and combine with the wet signal.
Left and right meters are on either side of the GUI, with mid/side meters just inside.
The bottom row of controls changes according to the current view (Vecterscope or FX). You’ll see Input, Output, Pan, and Feedback in the FX view.
The Vectorscope controls allow you to adjust the buffer size and make visual customizations, like changing the display mode, glow, size, and thickness.
The paid version of Stereo Tool will allow you to change the color of the vectorscope, but this feature is locked in the free version.
There’s a dedicated vectorscope view if you just want to use it as a utility.
In the last few months, Stereo Tool has gone from beta to version 1.1, and I haven’t experienced any bugs so far. Seems like a nice freebie from Mensla!
Download: Stereo Tool (FREE)
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