Three simple steps
How to analyze stereo width and phase
- 01
Choose a browser-supported audio file from your device. The file remains local.
- 02
ToolYogi measures left/right energy, mid/side energy, phase correlation and sampled peaks.
- 03
Use the correlation meter, width value, mono-retention estimate, channel levels and vectorscope together with listening.
What is phase correlation?
Correlation describes how similarly the left and right channels move. Values near +1 indicate strongly in-phase content, values near 0 indicate a less-related stereo field, and negative values can indicate material that may partially cancel when summed to mono.
What does stereo width mean here?
ToolYogi estimates width from the ratio of side energy to mid energy. Higher values indicate relatively more difference between the left and right channels. The number is descriptive rather than a target or quality score.
What is mono retention?
Mono retention compares the RMS energy of the summed mid signal with the average channel RMS. A lower value means more energy disappears when left and right are combined, which can happen with strongly anti-phase or very side-heavy material.
What does the vectorscope show?
The vectorscope plots sampled left/right relationships across the file. A tight vertical pattern usually reflects similar channel content, while a wider pattern reflects more stereo difference. The plot is a compact overview rather than a real-time oscilloscope.
Does a wide track mean it is better?
No. Stereo width depends on genre, arrangement and artistic intent. Centered bass, wide ambience and deliberately phasey effects can all be valid choices. Use the measurements as diagnostic information rather than a score.
Does ToolYogi upload my audio?
No. Audio decoding and stereo calculations run locally in your browser. The selected file and result are not uploaded or stored by ToolYogi.
A little more clarity
Frequently asked questions
Is the Stereo & Phase Analyzer free?
Yes. The current browser-based analyzer works without an account.
What correlation value is dangerous?
There is no universal cutoff, but sustained negative correlation means some left/right content opposes itself and may cancel in mono. Always confirm by listening to the mono sum.
Does this work with mono files?
Yes. A mono file is reported as zero stereo width with +1 correlation because both analysis channels contain the same signal.
Is the vectorscope real time?
No. This version samples the selected file and displays a static overview. It does not monitor live playback frame by frame.
Can I use this during mastering?
It is useful for checking stereo balance and potential mono-cancellation concerns, but final mastering decisions should also use listening, meters and appropriate reference material.
Is my audio stored?
No. The selected audio and analysis stay in the current browser session.