Stereo Tool by Thimeo is a full broadcast processor: multiband AGC and compression, adaptive bass, de-clipping and repair, a stereo enhancer and a codec-aware final limiter. It gives the most "FM radio" sound. It's available on plans that include Stereo Tool.
The licence key
Stereo Tool needs a licence key from Thimeo. Without one, it plays a short voice-over ("This sound is processed by Thimeo Stereo Tool") every so often. The Streams page warns you about any stream that has no key.
- Buy a licence at thimeo.com. The Basic licence covers internet streaming. Some processing presets also need the Advanced Dynamics add-on.
- A licence normally covers one running stream. Each extra Stereo Tool stream needs its own key.
Add your key
For all your streams: open Settings, paste the key into Your account's Stereo Tool licence (it starts with < and ends with >) and click Save key.
For one stream: open the stream's Edit page, scroll to Stereo Tool and paste the key into Licence key for this stream. A stream key takes priority over your account key.
Under the key field, Currently using shows which key the stream uses. Your keys are never shown again after saving; to remove one, tick Remove (stream) or save an empty field (account).
Choosing the sound
In the stream's Stereo Tool section:
- Repair (optional): for damaged or low-bitrate sources. For a 64 to 96k source, try "Modern recordings, low bitrate MP3/AAC input".
- Processing preset: the sound itself. There are more than 80; audition two or three and keep the one that suits your music.
- Output stage: match it to your outputs. HD - High bitrate for 128k and up, HD - Low bitrate for 48 to 96k, Very low for 32k and below.
The Stereo Tool recipes set all three for you.
Your own presets (.sts files)
- Save a preset from the Stereo Tool desktop app or from the live tuner (File > Save preset).
- Open Presets in the top menu, choose the .sts file and click Upload.
- On the stream's Edit page, choose it under ...or your own .sts preset and save. It replaces the Repair and Processing choices.
The Presets page also shows which streams use each preset, and lists all the built-in presets.
Live tuning
- On the stream's Edit page, tick Enable live tuning and save.
- Click Tune Stereo Tool (on the stream card or at the top of its Edit page). Stereo Tool's own interface opens inside the panel; Open full screen gives it the whole window.
- Changes are heard within a few seconds.
Free alternatives
Don't have a licence yet? The free Broadcast processor and master_me recipes need no key and play no voice-over. See Choosing Your Sound: Recipes and Processors.
