This can be achieved using a variety of different processors but does work very well with either an EQ or filter plug-in. Your browser does not support the audio tag.ĭrum loop with delay-induced stereo width Step 3 - Using EQ and Filters to Widen Your SoundsĪnother great way of opening your stereo (or even mono) sounds up a little is to create differences in frequency on either side of the image. This method can work really well on many different sources but be aware this isn't an 'in your face' effect and if you're looking for something extreme you may want to check out other routes. Subtle use of this method and delay times of 5-15ms on either side should preserve your mono compatibility pretty well and you shouldn't affect the dynamic signature or energy of the original audio. It doesn't detune or heavily process your signal to create the stereo enhancement. The great thing about this sort of treatment is that it's very transparent and doesn't affect your audio in any negative way. Plug-ins that induce this sort of delay on either side of the stereo field are freely available in most formats and often come supplied with DAWs as standard.
Step 2 - Using Small Delay TimesĪn age-old trick used by sound engineers to create a wider stereo image, is to delay one side of the audio using a very small delay time. Stereo enhancers and special effects with a wide image will really jump out of your mix and should give the desired effect. With the width of the overall mix reigned in your stereo sounds will now have much more impact and will become really pleasing to the ear. Many drum sounds work really well in mono and not every guitar or synth in the mix has to be spread right across the stereo field or saturated with stereo chorus. It's all about perception.Ī way to close the gap between these stereo sounds is to decrease the stereo image of some sounds or actually use mono versions. Let's say your mix is made up primarily of stereo files, now these may not have a huge stereo image but nevertheless, they are stereo and will have some sort of spread.Īfter hearing these stereo sounds for some time the listener will perceive this as the narrowest stereo point, if you then attempt to add a sound with a very wide stereo image, or an effect that widens a particular sound it may go unnoticed as the difference between the new sound and the main mix is minimal. This may seem like a bit of a contradiction but by introducing more mono elements, your stereo audio will be perceived as wider and will make more of a stand in the mix. One of the best (but least exciting ways) of boosting the perceived width of your stereo sound stage is to actually use more mono material in your mix. It's worth taking a minute before you turn your new stereo enhancer plug-in up to 11. Of course some of these are more sensible options than others when it comes to producing a coherent, intelligible mix.
Here's a rundown of the different methods we can use to boost the stereo image of both our whole mix or individual instruments.
It's certainly a subject I get asked about a lot and something that many producers seem eager to be able to master. It can bring a mix to life or make individual elements shine. There's no doubt that wide stereo sounds are pleasing to the ear.
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