Turn off the FM Clipper. Use the Advanced Limiter set to your target LUFS (e.g., -14 LUFS for streaming platforms or -10 LUFS for a loud internet radio station).
To get that deep, warm, punchy low-end characteristic of a "full" preset:
| Symptom | Fix | |---------|-----| | Pumping sound | Increase release times in multiband (×2) | | Harsh highs | Lower air band gain, reduce widening | | Loss of punch | Reduce clipping, lower ratio in bass band | | Phasey in mono | Lower width, check bass mono frequency | | Too quiet | Increase soft clipper input gain, not limiter ceiling | stereo tool preset full
In radio, the "full" preset is critical. For FM, you need presets with enabled. The "VINILE v5 FM" preset, for example, is designed to make digital files sound like a warm vinyl record, giving FM a smooth listening experience. A preset like "Omnia 11 Meets Stereo Tool" offers that "punchy and in-your-face" sound common in Top 40 markets. For AM, presets heavily compress mids and roll off highs to avoid "splatter," often using a specialized Phase Rotator.
Before you finalize your preset, run a test. Play a reference track (e.g., Daft Punk - Get Lucky or Michael Jackson - Billie Jean ). A successful "full" preset should pass these three tests: Turn off the FM Clipper
Stereo Tool organizes its built-in presets by intended use case: Typical Use Case Characteristics Casual listening Focuses on constant volume and slight stereo widening. Volume Compression Music archiving Ranges from "Very Soft" (classical) to "Normal" (pop/rock). Radio Stations FM/AM/Web broadcasting High compression for equal volume across different sources. Cleaning old recordings
: Designed for a "warm analog sound" with thick lows and sparkling highs, ideal for stations wanting song-to-song consistency without a "crushed" sound. For FM, you need presets with enabled
If vocals start sounding "fuzzy" or "gargly" when a heavy bass note hits, your multiband bass band or final clipper is working too hard. Back off the drive or increase the crossover separation.
To build or customize a full-sounding preset from scratch, focus on tuning these key modules within the Stereo Tool interface: 1. The De-Clipper and Natural Dynamics Before adding density, you must repair the input signal.