Some are free, A1StereoControl, Wider, Ozone etc. Some paid, S1 Imager etc. I saw one SSL imager selling for $150. Do all work the same or are there differences? I use the stereo separation knob below the insert in FL all the time, because panning sounds shit mostly, so I am kinda worried if it works differently

 

I use Sonalksis Stereo Tools VST to make the sound bigger and wider. In addition, a little Delay and a little reverb.
Sonalksis - StereoTools plug-in for 60 EUR www.sonalksis.com/stereotools.html

 

Last edited: Dec 6, 2021

They all do essentially the same thing although some are more flexible than others. For example, Ozone and NuGen Audio have stereo imaging plugins that allow you to pan and adjust the width of specific frequency ranges in a track.

 

If this deals with width too (I don't know), as can Logic with its channel strip, then you are good really.

Sometimes I still use this though!

 

If you're talking about widening and width, then you're wrong, Many plugins do have their own algos that affects sides in a very different way,
the S1 from waves has the simplest safest one, that won't affect your mono compatibility that much as long as you don't go crazy with it...

many other plugins do things different ways, Spread and Spread light from Yum-audio have a nicer way of handling width than many others, it's more natural and more ear pleasing, but it's more aggressive toward mono comp, that being said, using a little bit from each one can give you something wide and unique without much loss of center information...

many other do work in other ways, and my least favorite one is the ozone imager...

 

I was generalizing. Stereo imaging plugins have their own set of features, some more than others. But they essentially do the same thing which is to help adjust and balance the stereo image of audio and placement within the stereo field in your mix. Izotope Imager isnt bad for quick adjustments and I've never had any issues with it. But Im partial to Stereoplacer and Stereoizer by NuGen for more complex mixes.

 

Last edited: Dec 6, 2021

iZotope Imager also got this stereoize thing. I also use dimension expander sometimes