PHIXER for correlation meter / goniometer (and fixing negative correlation with phase)
A correlation meter or goniometer is a warning light, not a mix verdict. +1 means L and R agree. Around 0 means wide or diffuse. Toward -1 means anti-correlated energy that often vanishes on mono fold. 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 meters to name the problem; use PHIXER after hygiene, when residual spectral cancellation remains.
Three correlation / goniometer failure modes this page covers
- Needle toward -1 and bass vanishes on phone fold. Classic anti-correlation. Polarity and timing first; then residual rotation if the stereo bed must stay stereo.
- Goniometer looks wide but mono still scoops. Width display is not mono proof. Confirm with a true L+R sum. Habit: mono check workflow.
- Treating the meter as a polarity button. The needle does not flip Ø for you. Invert one path, then re-check. Cousin: polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation.
Fast correlation / goniometer audition (about 60 seconds)
- Watch the correlation needle and / or goniometer while a sustained soft source and a kick hit play. Note when the needle dips toward 0 or -1.
- Sum L+R with a monitor controller or utility. Do not mute one side to "hear the problem."
- Flip Ø on one path. Keep the flip that returns body. If mono weight returns fully, stop. You needed invert, not rotation.
- If invert helps only part of the spectrum, nudge a few samples of attack timing. Then re-check on a phone speaker.
- Only if the stereo bed must stay stereo and a band still cancels, audition residual L/R spectral fights. Prove any change with mono A/B and the meter. Demo: mono demo.
Honest order of fixes (before spectral phase rotation)
1. Read the meter, then listen in true mono
Correlation / goniometer hints; ears decide. Plain guide: how to read correlation and phase meters. Habit: mono check.
2. Polarity invert (180) first
Flip Ø on one mic, one bus path, or one delayed side while mono. Keep the flip that returns body. Guide: polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation and polarity vs phase.
3. Attack timing before spectral tools
Nudge a few samples or ms so transient peaks agree. A correlation needle will not slide a late transient for you. Cousin: vs time-align.
4. 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.
5. Only then audition residual L/R spectral fights
If the stereo bed must stay stereo and fold still hollows after invert and timing, gentle frequency-aware phase rotation can help. Prove it with mono A/B and watch the needle recover without over-narrowing. Watch the YouTube tutorial and the mono demo.
Meter readings and common mono failures
| Reading / view | Common mono failure | First fix |
|---|---|---|
| Needle near +1 | Narrow image; usually strong mono | No phase panic; check width taste |
| Needle around 0 | Wide / diffuse; some bands thin on fold | True mono listen; less width if needed |
| Needle toward -1 | Bass / body cancels hard on fold | Flip Ø; then timing; then residual rotation |
| Goniometer vertical line | Near-mono content | Usually healthy for fold |
| Goniometer flat horizontal | Out-of-phase L/R | Polarity first; mono A/B |
| Master after imaging / Haas | Streaming / phone fold thins | Less width; shorter delay; Haas cousin |
Compare pages (short version)
- How to read correlation and phase meters: polite-glider-cpqx.
- Polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation: granite-opera-7wk6.
- Polarity compare: frosty-birch-57gq.
- Mono check habit: mineral-mosaic-d46c.
- Mono demo: sable-marvel-j3rp.
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
- How to read correlation and phase meters
- PHIXER for polarity invert vs continuous phase rotation
- Polarity invert vs phase rotation (compare)
- Mono demo
- Mono check workflow
- PHIXER for Haas Effect / short delay stereo and mono phase cancel
- PHIXER for mastering
- What's new / launch assets
- When not
- Hub
- Product