In which ways do you prefer to widen your sounds and why?

[bigdaveo11]

Hey Guys,

Been learning all about stereo/mono lately and how to widen sounds (specifically mids/highs and leaving my bass mono). Anyway...

I was wondering when you widen a sound do you just pick one certain technique (duplicating tracks/detuning, using the pan knob, chorus, delay, reverb, dedicated stereo wideners etc...*feel free to name more). I assume its just personal preference, but do you consider anything specifically when deciding which method use? What about combining multiple methods? I know you have to be aware of phase/mono compatibility, I guess this would affect your decision as well.

Appreciate any responses!

[Attila]

I either use a filter delay and live utility or ozone with a utility. Never really put much though into which I use-if im processing a bass in ozone ill use it out of convenience.

[OfficialDAPT]

Create one sound in totally mono and then rack duplicate it. On the duplicated channel EQ the low out on a Mid/Side EQ using the side option. Then widen the sound by using a sample delay. Left ear at 1ms and right at 12ms (vice-versa) then add a phaser and chorus after that. Both sound combined will be wide and still clean.

[hutyluty]

few of my techniques:

atmos (rain samples/crowd noises etc)- stereo imager in reason

pads- especially thicker pads- i make two of the channel and pan the channels one hard left the other hard right (after narrowing them with stereo imager)

leads/vocals- often automate the panning so they move from left to right over the course of the song- then using the panning on the delay i set it so they pan to opposite places- when vocal is panned left, its delay is on the right

[bigdaveo11]

awesome guys, appreciate it. Really interested in trying the duplicating and mid/side EQ technique. Need to learn to utilize and understand mid/sid EQ more.

Thanks again, keep em comin!

[wormcode]

I prefer the boring old duplicating+panning method with maybe a little chorus on the middle sound, depends on the sound. I also like experimenting with preFIX from Bootsy/Variety of Sound on sounds.

[OfficialDAPT]

awesome guys, appreciate it. Really interested in trying the duplicating and mid/side EQ technique. Need to learn to utilize and understand mid/sid EQ more.

Thanks again, keep em comin!

Yeah dude abletons racks are great for layering sounds... definitely get really familiar with them and the instrument racks and effect racks.

[Today]

I track stuff in dual mono and use the pan pots.

[Genevieve]

How do widened sounds sound on a rig, that is mono?

[OfficialDAPT]

How do widened sounds sound on a rig, that is mono?

most sound system are split stereo i think(basically mono split in two). Don't quote me on that though I can't remember where or when i read that

[bigdaveo11]

awesome guys, appreciate it. Really interested in trying the duplicating and mid/side EQ technique. Need to learn to utilize and understand mid/sid EQ more.

Thanks again, keep em comin!

Yeah dude abletons racks are great for layering sounds... definitely get really familiar with them and the instrument racks and effect racks.

have heard good things but do not have ableton. As for duplicating and panning, can you explain a bit more about why you are sampling delaying the left and right (and why you are using the different times).

In regards to club systems (I assume this is the meaning of "rig" sorry still a n00b and havent heard the term) I was also wondering about issues with mono vs stereo. I have heard that lots of clubs/big venues are mono but have also heard they are stereo as well. I guess just making sure you insert a plug on the master or synth bus or whatever you are trying to check and make the sound mono, if your sounds are disappearing or cancelling then you have panned/widen too far??? Srry for the confusion just attempting to wrap my head around a few of these topics.

[OfficialDAPT]

awesome guys, appreciate it. Really interested in trying the duplicating and mid/side EQ technique. Need to learn to utilize and understand mid/sid EQ more.

Thanks again, keep em comin!

Yeah dude abletons racks are great for layering sounds... definitely get really familiar with them and the instrument racks and effect racks.

have heard good things but do not have ableton. As for duplicating and panning, can you explain a bit more about why you are sampling delaying the left and right (and why you are using the different times).

In regards to club systems (I assume this is the meaning of "rig" sorry still a n00b and havent heard the term) I was also wondering about issues with mono vs stereo. I have heard that lots of clubs/big venues are mono but have also heard they are stereo as well. I guess just making sure you insert a plug on the master or synth bus or whatever you are trying to check and make the sound mono, if your sounds are disappearing or cancelling then you have panned/widen too far??? Srry for the confusion just attempting to wrap my head around a few of these topics.

Yeah phase cancellation is possible when going from stereo to mono that's why you always want to check your mix in total mono. As far as why I delay one side more is so the the sound seems wider. If one ear hears a sound slightly after another, it is perceived by the human mind as being all around you to some extent.

[bigdaveo11]

makes sense^, thanks for the reply!

[narcissus]

ya know i get a lot of mileage out of subtle use of modulation effects for this. always have.