Bug 493878

SUMMARY: I and others often record using a lav (clip-on) mic in addition to a shotgun, mounted on the same camera using the left and right audio channel inputs, resulting in an audio recording which is not "stereo" so much as it is dual mono. These different audio sources require different processing in terms of EQ and Dynamics. Kdenlive has the ability to apply the appropriately-adjusted effects to these channels, but it lacks the ability to apply the effects differently to the left and right audio.  

It would be excellent and quite helpful if the effects stack had a button "split per-channel" which then allowed for a separate effects stack for each side. Or, when a clip comes in with two (or more) audio channels, if there was a way to split it into, say, A1, A2, A3, etc separate mono audio tracks. That might be the easiest way. 

This would not result in additional CPU usage as each side would be mono, resulting still in two channels of audio getting processed. (Which is what happens when a user throws a plugin on a stereo track anyway.)

I understand kdenlive isn't a DAW, and I'm not asking for full-on flexible audio routing. But I think being able to process the two channels independently would be really useful to many people. A simple "split stereo audio to separate mono audio tracks in the timeline" would do. 

Current workarounds include exporting to an external program, applying effects/edits, and then importing back. This is not only clumsy but can result in a loss of sync depending on the details. It is also just generally more difficult to edit when you have to switch applications. 


STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Record a video with two different microphones, such as a shotgun and a clip-on mic
2. Try to EQ the mics differently in kdenlive
3. Observe that there doesn't seem to be a way to split the stereo audio track to two separate mono tracks, nor a way to assign effects separately to left and right channels. 

OBSERVED RESULT
Cannot apply effects separately to left and right channels. Cannot split left and right audio to different tracks. Cannot route audio with much flexibility. 

EXPECTED RESULT
Ability to split stereo audio to two audio tracks in the timeline, or, ability to apply effects differently to left and right channels. 

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: Linux Mint 21 (will upgrade soon, I know, ancient)
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.92.0
Qt Version: 5.15.3

I posted this issue on the discussion forum and was encouraged to leave a report here. Kdenlive is an excellent tool and I think what is proposed here will be a welcome addition by many editors and producers. Thanks!