Stereo Spread?

[bassbum]

At the moment I don't have a VST for this and am putting things in stereo by duplicating a track, panning one hard left and one right then putting one out of phase.

This is great if I want a spread to the extrema but if I want a more centralized spread I get phasing issues using this method and it sounds horrible.

I need to make more use of the stereo field because all my tracks right now have centered, mono panning or supper wide stereo.

If someone knows another way of putting things in stereo that can be used at different pan positions it would be a lot of help to me.

Also, I don't meant to be lazy and not use a search/google but dose anyone know of a good free Stereo Spread VST. I'm sure someone will know a good one and it will save me downloading a few and having to try them all out.

Edit: A stereo spread VST like the one Cubase has would be perfect, you know the simple one where you turn one know and it slowly gets wider.

[Efrafa11]

http://www.vst4free.com/index.php?plug-ins=Spatial&l=0

Couple pages of spatial vsts.

[bassbum]

http://www.vst4free.com/index.php?plug-ins=Spatial&l=0

Couple pages of spatial vsts.

Any you would recommend?
All ready downloaded like 3 that don do what I want.

[Efrafa11]

Omnisone and panbudle are the 2 knicked off the site a while ago.
If i'm lazy I just grab massives dimension expander for a quick stereo spread.

[ehbes]

Haas effect is what you want

[AxeD]

Haas effect is what you want

You could try and delay one of the channels a little, yes. But I don't think it's that different from putting it ouf of phase(?).
Up to 30ms should add depth to the mix.
This works because spatial perception is not only based on intensity differences between left and right but, also on time differences.
Which make sense, because a sound on your right will be perceived by your right ear earlier than your left.
All those vsts are based on these simple principals.

Logic has binaural pan control in it's mixer btw.

[bodom418]

Depending on what exactly you're applying the stereo spread to ( with any of the above methods), you may want to keep in mind this sort of "inverted pyramid" model of stereo width and frequency range. Meaning, low-end stuff tends to translate better as a mono signal, whereas the higher frequencies respond pretty well to a wider stereo image. So here's what recommend for, say, a bass sound:

-Split the frequencies into low, mid, and high.
-leave the bottom end alone
-Throw your stereo plugin of choice on the high end and spread it way the hell out
- throw that same plugin on the mids and adjust width to taste.

here's one I've used in a couple instances, very easy: http://mda.smartelectronix.com/effects.htm
It's just called "stereo spread" or something.

[AxeD]

We checked out 'Stereo Tool' by Flux at school. Seemed pretty good, it's free.

[alphacat]

SHEPPi Free Spatial Enhancer, maybe?

More:

http://dallashodgson.info/articles/OpenAmbienceProject/