## Common mistakes when working with YS-Stereo Makeup and how to avoid them

### Error 1. Excessive bass extension in stereo
**What's the problem:** If you leave the low frequencies in Wide mode and boost the Side mode too much, the bass can become "smeared" across the stereo field. In mono, such tracks often lose density or disappear completely due to phase conflicts.

**How ​​to avoid:**
* Set the bass band to Mono mode.
* If necessary, use Mono+Bass to specifically influence the dry signal.
* Monitor the results using Mid/Side monitoring and green VU meters: the Side level in the low frequencies should be minimal.

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### Error 2. Too much latency in Haas mode
**What's the problem:** A latency above 20-25 ms (approaching the upper limit of 30 ms) begins to be perceived not as a depth effect, but as a clear echo. This ruins the clarity of the material, especially on vocals and percussion.

**How ​​to avoid:**
* Keep the Haas in the 5-20ms range for a "depth without echo" effect.
* Test the result on different playback systems: the effect may sound different on small speakers and headphones.
* Use Mute FX and A/B comparison to hear how noticeable the effect becomes.

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### Error 3. Overloading the Side Channels
**What's the problem:** When Side is turned up too much, the Mid can become "empty," vocals and main elements lose focus, and the mix sounds unnaturally wide but thin.

**How ​​to avoid:**
* Balance the Wide (Dry) and Side (FX) controls: don't make the Side much louder than the Wide. * Use the green VU meters as a guide: the Mid level should remain noticeable, and the Side frequency should not dominate.
* On critical elements (vocals, kick drum, main guitar riff), keep the Side frequency moderate, and use the high frequencies for extension.

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### Mistake 4. Ignoring Phase Shift and Mono Compatibility
**What's the problem:** A ±90° phase shift is useful, but if not carefully adjusted, it can create dips in certain frequencies and reduce mono compatibility.

**How ​​to avoid:**
* Always check your mix in mono (if your DAW allows it) or use Mid/Side monitoring.
* If the sound "collapses" or loses important frequencies during mono listening, reduce the phase effect intensity or adjust the crossover boundaries.
* Don't apply the maximum phase effect to all bands at once; it's better to apply it selectively to 1-2 bands.

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### Error 5. Uncontrolled Output Level and Clipping
**What's the Problem:** After stereo widening, adding Haas, and reverb, the level may rise unexpectedly, leading to clipping and distortion.

**How ​​to Avoid:**
* Monitor the white VU meters (L/R): don't let the needle constantly hover in the red.
* Use the Gain knob for final level adjustments, focusing on the target LUFS for your mix stage.
* Leave some headroom, especially if the plugin is on a subgroup or master bus.

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### Error 6. Overusing Random without further refinement
**What's the Problem:** The Random button quickly provides a lot of options, but random settings can be extreme and ruin the mix.

**How ​​to Avoid:**
* Use Random as a starting point, not a final decision. * Immediately after generating, check the Mid/Side balance, Side level, and the absence of phase gaps.
* Adjust only 1-3 parameters at a time to understand which element is changing the sound.

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### Error 7. Applying heavy stereo widening on the master bus without monitoring
**What's the problem:** On the master channel, any stereo effects affect the entire mix. Excessive widening or phase shifts can make the track sound unstable on different devices.

**How ​​to avoid:**
* Work as delicately as possible on the master bus: usually, a slight widening of the high frequencies is sufficient.
* Keep the bass and lower mids in mono, use Mid/Side monitoring and green VU meters.
* Regularly A/B between the "before" and "after" to ensure that the widening improves, rather than detracts from, the overall mix.

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### Error 8. Mixing Multiple Stereo Widening Effects in a Row
**What's the Problem:** Cascading multiple plugins with widening, phase shifters, and delays can lead to severe phase conflicts and a loss of clarity.

**How ​​to Avoid:**
* Try to use one main widening tool (in this case, YS-Stereo Makeup) and avoid duplicating the effect with other plugins.
* If you use additional effects, keep them very lightweight and check for mono compatibility.
* Prioritize Mid/Side control and the balance between Dry and FX.

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