Stereo Enhancement of Overheads

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

Hey everybody,

here is my problem. The overhead tracks I've got are not wide enough (haha, no, not recorded with NT4...). I got them from the studio where we recorded the drums, actually the guy there downmixed 4 mics to 2 tracks. Instead of going from -100 to 100, I'd say that it goes from -70 to 70, maybe even less, which is not enough, the clarity is not great and not very open sounding... So I was thinking about widening the stereo image of the OHs through plugins. What do you guys think ? Any good plugin ? I know that this may probably alter the sound when listened in mono, but is it really an issue ?

Thanks for your answers

Brett

 

[A Toolish Circle]

Hey dude use Izotope OZONE 2

it's a fantastic plug in for stereo enhancing imaging mixing and mastering.

 

[Student]

I think it would be bad to use any plug-ins that widen your spread with phase algorithms.

Since what the OHs pick up are actually sort of isolated, as in a far right cymbal being not in the left OH, anything the widening plug-ins do would actually add out of phase right channel to left channel, and although it would push the right and or left farther, it would make your cymbals lose mostly HF and blur your stereo image.

Also, you'd be surprised how many metal heads listen in mono and don't know it.

I know this is an old thread but I only saw one response, so I'm awake late and thought I'd post.

PAN HARD!

 

[Glenn Fricker]

Brett, I just bought a whole bunch of API 512c's, & they fucking slay on overheads. I noticed an immediate improvement in the stereo field & much, much more clarity. I'll do a full review in the equipment section in a few days.

Ok, back to playing with my new toys!

 

[Loren Littlejohn]

the guy there downmixed 4 mics to 2 tracks. Instead of going from -100 to 100, I'd say that it goes from -70 to 70, maybe even less

Why on earth did he do these things?

 

[theblackmoon]

Maybe tweak (problably better to just cut, so there are no phase anomalies)with some good M/S eq.

It will not widden the image but can improve clarity and detail, perhaps this may give the impression of a wider image. And will clear the middle if you need more space for centered channels.

 

[Brett - K A L I S I A]

hahaha, thanks all for the answers It's amazing how you can get help on this forum... even 3 years after you asked something

 

[Pman]

WOW, i didn't notice at all the date of this thread

 

[MX582]

i've noticed something recently if you really listen to alot of metal records it almost sounds like overheads aren't panned 100% it sounds like theyre around 80-90 which would make sence cus it would leave room for guitars which are more often than not panned 100%..ive been doing this lately with good results

 

[theblackmoon]

hahaha, thanks all for the answers It's amazing how you can get help on this forum... even 3 years after you asked something

It took us three years to elaborate on that...