He tried to mute the track. The fader moved, but the sound widened.
The sound was everywhere.
Then he noticed the asymmetry.
He reached for the power cable. But his hand passed through it.
The plugin GUI appeared on his screen: two mirrored speakers, a knob, an Asymmetry fader, and a little Azimuth dial. It looked sterile. Mathematical.
Marco took off his headphones. The music was still playing. But not from the speakers. From the corners of the room. From the heating vent. From the street outside .
Marco knew the risks. Piracy was for amateurs. But rent was due, and the $29.99 for the official plugin felt like a luxury. Just this once, he told himself. For research.