SQA Quad Decoder Questions

[Richs_Trains]

Hello, I am trying to get a definitive answer on whether an SQA module works properly with a stereo input or if it is ONLY meant for SQ encoded programs. When I play stereo signal (cassette-FM) into my SQA, it sounds terrible, but I was told that the decoder should make stereo into quasi-quad.

 

[lurp]

Varimatrix makes stereo into "quasi-quad" by combining or subtracting L & R from one and other depending on the knob position. Playing a stereo source through the SQA module, on the other hand, has unpredictable and usually poor results in my experience. As another commenter suggested, there are a few stereo recordings out there that include multi-channel info you may discover, but the vast, vast majority do not. The decoder is going to go looking for matrix encoded rear-channel material 90deg out of phase, and will play whatever it finds.

 

[Richs_Trains]

Thanks Lurp, playing stereo through SQ is unpredictable and I do get poor results, but with an SQ encoded album, it sounds pretty darn good! Just wanted to know once and for all. Vari-Matrix for stereo, Discrete for CD-4 albums / quad tapes and SQ for SQ encoded albums.