Stereo Problems

[Spokid]

On my most recent mix, I noticed that when played in my car, the stereo image was much narrower than what it seemed when I was mixing/mastering, but when I try to widen it, things start to become negatively effected (for example, my hard panned guitars start to disappear, and everything in the middle, as a results, seems much louder).

Anybody have any ideas for a nice, wide image without anything being lost in the mix?

 

[EnjoiTrent]

I use a stereo widener on my mastering chain, you could try that. Just work around and play around with your settings till you get that perfect sound.

 

[Spokid]

I've been doing that, but it's been resulting in my guitars almost vanishing from the mix, like they're being pushed completely out of the song. Perhaps I just haven't set it to the right setting yet though. I'll keep trying to find the right spot.

 

[EnjoiTrent]

Definitely pushing it too far can make it sound like they're vanishing, and too little can make them sound very close together. I suppose you just need to find the right spot for your mixes.

 

[tmitchell33]

Be very careful when using a stereo widener, read up on what you are actually doing to your mix! This will explain the vanishing instruments!

 

[Vice//Versa]

Yeah, I wouldn't put a stereo widener on a master bus for the life of me, i heard bulb talk about trying to widen his guitars to leave more space in the center but I dont even think normal composition would require that... but periphery can have a shit ton of stuff going on and there arrangements can get busy at times. Try using a stereo imaging plugin to monitor what's going on with your stereo image and if your having phasing issues.

 

[Vice//Versa]

The entire interview is actually quite interesting but there's the link where he talks about stereo widening. Hope it's somewhat useful

0:52 ///

 

[EnjoiTrent]

Dave's tutorials for Reason was the first experience I ever had making digital music. Everything he does is actually pretty sick. Stereo Wideners seem to have a strong opinion on both sides for whether or not to use them. I personally use them, but I'm not saying everyone should. It just seems to work for me.

 

[Vice//Versa]

Yeah, Dave is pretty awesome (his cover of gentleman, "djentleman" lol is one of my personal favorites) but back on the topic, whatever works for you man! if sonic production was a science then this site would be a wiki (which at times it seems, in a good way) and not a forum for sharing and discussion... now if it's not working, try something else.