> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://manual.minimal.audio/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://manual.minimal.audio/lucid-manual/granular-view/grain-imager.md). # Grain Imager ### Overview The **Grain Imager** positions each grain across the stereo field as it's generated. Distinct panning patterns and width controls build a wide, controlled image straight from the grains, from subtle movement to bold, immersive width.
*** ### 1. Imager Mode and display **Spread Mode** The **Spread Mode** menu determines how grains are positioned within the stereo field. * **Alternate** places consecutive grains alternately on the left and right channels, creating a rhythmic stereo bounce. * **Pendulum** moves grains progressively across the stereo field from left to right and back again. * **Helix** distributes grains along two interleaved paths that move in opposite directions, producing a layered stereo motion. * **Bloom** uses a golden ratio distribution to create an even, non-repeating stereo spread. * **Scatter** assigns each grain a completely random stereo position for a diffuse, cloud-like image. * **Drift** gradually offsets each grain from the previous position, causing the stereo image to wander organically over time. ### 2. Grain Panning **Smooth Spread** When **Smooth Spread** is enabled, grains continuously glide between stereo positions throughout their lifetime instead of remaining fixed. This creates fluid stereo movement, transforming stepped placement patterns into smooth, evolving motion. **Spread** The **Spread** control adjusts how widely grains are distributed around the current **Pan** position. At **0%**, all grains are centered at the base pan position, creating a mono image. Increasing the value expands the distribution, with **100%** allowing grains to span the full stereo field. {% hint style="info" %} Combine high **Spread** values with **Mono Lows** enabled to create a wide stereo image while keeping the low frequencies focused in the center. {% endhint %} #### **Pan** The **Pan** control sets the center position around which grains are distributed. Unlike a traditional pan control, the pan position is captured individually by each grain as it is generated. Changes therefore affect only newly created grains, resulting in natural transitions without abrupt jumps in the stereo image. ### 3. Dimension and Size **Dimension** The **Dimension** control widens the grain output using a dedicated stereo expansion effect. The effect automatically adapts its delay times and movement to the current grain size and playback rate, ensuring the stereo enhancement remains synchronized with the granular texture. **Dimension Size** **Dimension Size** scales the delay times used by the **Dimension** effect. Lower values produce a tighter and more subtle stereo expansion, while higher values create a larger, more spacious stereo image. ### 4. Mono Lows and Width **Mono Lows** When enabled, **Mono Lows** keeps frequencies below the **Mono Frequency** crossover point in mono. This preserves a focused, stable low end while allowing higher frequencies to remain wide in the stereo field. **Mono Frequency** The **Mono Frequency** control sets the crossover frequency used by **Mono Lows**. Increasing the value keeps more of the low-frequency content centered, while decreasing it allows the stereo image to extend further into the low end. This control is available only when **Mono Lows** is enabled. **Stereo Width** The **Stereo Width** control adjusts the overall width of the processed signal. At **100%**, the stereo image remains unchanged. Lower values progressively narrow the image toward mono, while values above **100%** increase the perceived stereo width. For improved mono compatibility when using wider settings, enable **Safe Width**. **Safe Width** **Safe Width** determines how stereo width values above **100%** are generated. When enabled, stereo expansion is applied dynamically to maintain a balanced image with improved mono compatibility. When disabled, stereo width is increased statically up to **200%**, allowing for a more exaggerated effect at the expense of greater phase cancellation when summed to mono. **Grain Imager Bypass** The **Grain Imager Bypass** button enables or disables the entire Grain Imager section, allowing you to quickly compare the processed and unprocessed stereo image. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. 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