

You can adjust parameters independently for each. Here, you can generate stereo width four ways and apply it to your mix. The effects section is where Stereo Savage starts separating itself from other similar plugins.

Anything that goes past zero to the left is potentially dangerous. Just like any other meter, the phase correlation meter measures correlation. By clicking the screen, you can toggle between the two. Two displays exist one that generates individual pixels with great accuracy and another that averages the pixels in a region to create thicker lines. Not with Stereo Savage because it already includes both features. They are typically absent from plugins that expand audio in most cases, a second plugin must be powered to perform the metering. It’s not optional to have a phase correlator. When discussing stereo width, a stereo imager’s goniometer is a must-have accessory. Now that we have some idea about how stereo imaging works let’s look at the 10 of the best stereo widening plugins in 2023. The ideal mix has a good relationship between all sounds, and that includes spatial balance. You’ll only get clean wide sounds in a mix if a contrasting mono sound accompanies it. If you’ve widened all elements in your mix, the lack of contrast will make it sound surprisingly less wide. For example, if you place the hi-hat on the left side, place a Left/Right equalizer on the rest of the mix, and attenuate the higher frequencies on the right side. When you use an Equalizer in the Left / Right and Mid/ Side modes to manage the frequency information in the stereo image, you’ll have fantastic results. Percussion can give good results if you pan it in many directions. For example, you can set a snare’s lower frequency at the center and spread the higher frequencies. Pads, pianos, and keys can provide excellent results when completely widened. Kicks, subs, and basses benefit from staying in the stereo image’s center. Remember to apply it gradually and smoothly.Ī general rule of thumb is that the higher the signal is in the frequency spectrum, the wider you can set it.

For instance, if you look at iZotope’s Ozone Imager mastering manual, you’ll find that the plugin only widens a little value in the high-end bands while leaving the bottom-end untouched. It’s vital to understand that the signal’s width expands at the cost of phase coherency overdoing it will make your sound thinner and weaker in mono. Stereo widening is a powerful tool, and it can backfire quickly.
BEST PLUGINS FOR FL STUDIO MASTERING PROFESSIONAL
Hence, monitoring on professional headphones or studio monitors will give you much better results. Commercial hi-fi speakers and headsets color your sound by adding stereo width, bass, and so on. Furthermore, use the A/B function, commonly present in these plugins, to get a gist of what’s changing in the mix.Įven with diligence and plugins, you can only get so far if your speakers or headphones aren’t up to the task. Use pan and spatial width regularly and note the slight differences. The most reliable tool in your arsenal is your ears, so make sure to prioritize the information they are getting more than the visual content seen in the stereo width plugin. This visual display is an excellent tool for understanding the principles of pan and width and how they relate to stereo imaging. Many plugins like Ozone Imager by iZotope feature detailed visual feedback of the stereo content regarding the signal’s source location, size, and intensity. We use this technique to control the audio immersion. It can be either on the left, right, or center directions of the stereo image, and settings of depth and width also help position the sound closer or further. Stereo Imaging is the act of digitally placing a sound source somewhere in the sensed space. UAD Precision K-Stereo Ambience Recoveryħ Readings that you may like: What is Stereo Imaging? In a nutshell, here are the best stereo imaging plugins in 2023:ġ0. However, even with many methods and techniques, some artifacts and obstacles, such as phasing issues, can slow your progress of getting wide sounds in a mix. If both left and right channels feature different outputs, the sound is in stereo.Īnother technique uses delay techniques to achieve a widening effect, popularly known as the Haas effect when one channel’s signal is delayed compared to the other. For instance, the popular panning method changes the amplitude levels on the left and right channels. There are more than a handful of ways to manipulate the stereo field. Today, you’ll discover the best stereo imaging plugins as of 2023 to add some life and width to your mixes!
