Can you recommend a "stereo imager" for widening synths that doesn't cause phase issues or degrade the sound in any way or am I better just using mid/side EQ ?

I was hoping for a tool that would save me some time but doesn't sacrifice clarity and quality.
For exemple, I don't use a compressor for sidechaining, instead I use Devious machines Duck.

So somehow a similar idea applied to stereo image widening.

Any tricks for widening are welcome !
Thanks

 

Create a Haas Effect using a sample delay plugin and add delay to only one side. Google result says you can do up to 40 milliseconds difference, but I usually keep it under 10.

You can use something like Polyverse Wider2 if you need to. On master out, I try to only use a very short sample delay; instead of a imager plugin. Maybe about 5 samples difference from right to left.

 

Melda has some great widening plugins. Mspectralpan is an interesting one, but they have a few others. A new one that i find to be very good is Wine from Acustica, and the one knob plugin that comes with it, Fire The Blend

 

Two free options:

1 - Ozone Imager: https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone-imager.html
2 - Kilohearts "Stereo" and "Haas": https://kilohearts.com/products/kilohearts_essentials

 

Polyverse Wider 2 is free: https://polyversemusic.com/products/wider/

If you have Waves installed already another old method is Waves S1 Stereo Imager.

This is the way I prefer to approach this, because almost every DAW already has it's own stock Sample Delay plugin.

 

yeah, I generally do the same thing, and rarely run into any problems with low end or anything on stuff I use it on, and if I do, just mono under the problem spot if so...

but I agree, just using simple delay or whatever in Ableton, or whatever Logic and PT equivalents are, or whatnot... just slightly offsetting the sides gets it done, and you don't have to go that far like you said, and all good.

It's been quick, probably more cpu efficient then other solutions, and whatever.. do it without thinking about it, and it stands up to however it's analyzed etc..

 

Mathew Lane's StereoDelta delivers quick results.

 

AOM Stereo Imager is a thing

 

Softube Widener has lots of different options and is very simple.

 

Yessir! I use Ozone's Imager for my stereo needs, both widening and narrowing. I can't compare it to much, unfortunately, but it does the trick for me!

 

Plugin Alliance BX_ Shredspread is my go to super easy to use and sounds great

 

Ozone Imager is included in Ozone Advanced FYI

 

I use this one regularly with Ozone Imager, its similar to Waves S1 and its free. The panning feature on it alone is incredibly helpful



https://a1audio.alexhilton.net/a1stereocontrol

 

Sonalksis stereo tools
https://www.sonalksis.com/stereotools.html

 

SSL Fusion Stereo Image Plug-in

https://store.solidstatelogic.com/plug-ins/ssl-fusion-stereo-image-plug-in-

 

LeapWing StageOne 2 Width & Depth Plugin



https://www.leapwingaudio.com/product/stageone2/

 

This one is good and almost a pleasure to use. just like you said. I tried it a long time ago.
But while comparing with others I ran into the first AirWindows free/guiless plugin I've ever tried: "ADT". It sounded clearly better to me.

I'm pretty sure ADT stands for Artificial Double Tracking (I have a genius day, I know) but the official name still is ADT.

PS. On a side note, after a month of research I discovered the virtual guitar I was looking the plugin for (some Kontakt one) had integrated double and quad tracking. I was already a genius it seems...

 

Last edited: May 26, 2024

fabfilter pro q