Pro Tools: How To Create a Wider Stereo Field

This tutorial explains how to widen the stereo field within your mix by creating an offset between two identical audio samples within Pro Tools 8.

This is also a great way of re-creating a doubling effect for instance on a vocal track giving the performance a more present and live feel.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• winksound
• protools
• stereo
• doubling
• offset
• mixing
• audio
• digidesign
• live
• music
• production
• wsProToolsMixingAndMastering

[therightclique]

This process works very well, though I wouldn't use it on bass or low frequency instruments, for reasons that should be obvious. I use this on guitar tracks frequently. However, I will generally EQ each side very differently. For instance, I might boost frequencies in one side, and cut them in the other. This makes it easier for your brain to think of each side as a different instrument/performance. It can sound as though it's being performed one side of the room and 'landing' on the other side.

[WiNKsound]

@therightclique That you again for contributing your knowledge to the community!

Justin

winksound

[bettzeug]

this doesnt make anything wider, it just delays one side of a stereo track, if you watched it on a proper phase meter, you would know this doesnt do shit to the width, and it certainly doesnt make it any louder

[tunnis7us]

Video sound is mono. nice going with the "hear the differense" when you show it :|

[rawstarmusic]

This value of 1 millisecond is to small to give effect. It doesn't sound wider and not loader because the 2 transients aren't aligned and therefore doesn't support each other. It needs a higher value and I have seen example with 3 copies whereas one is nudged after left-panned, one is nudged ahead and right-panned and one is still in the center. The different EQ of panned tracks are important that is true.

[sonicthehedgehogxp]

@therightclique Great point, bass is disorienting when its on some delay effects.

[therightclique]

@sonicthehedgehogxp I agree for the most part, but I think it could still be disorienting, especially with headphones on. However, like all forms of art, you should do what you think works and is appealling to you. As with most recordings, you should test them on a variety of speakers and headphones. One of the reasons I do it with guitar is to make room for the bass to come up the center, especially if I'm mixing music for a friend that only recorded one guitar part.

[sonicthehedgehogxp]

@therightclique You humanly cannot tell the direction of any bass frequencys under 100, you can image bass....

[TheDymondusic]

that smacking and breathing Justin? omg every video? you have an old soul

[rexoff]

No matter how much you offset the track..it still doesnt make you sound less creepy...But good Video for people who didnt know this already! =D