Stereo Width Production Trick For Clarity and Space

A simple stereo widening trick is demonstrated to add clarity and focus to mix elements.

• A Rhodes piano patch and mono vocal in a song called 'Right Here' are overlapping • EQ and compression attempts haven't sufficiently separated the two elements • The vocals and Rhodes piano sound like they are getting in the way of each other

The vocal is left untouched while the Rhodes piano already has compression and EQ applied.

An Ozone Imager plugin and mid/side EQ will be used to create stereo separation and improve clarity.

The Ozone Imager is used for stereo widening, though free simpler versions are available and any stereo widening plugin will work.

• The 'Modern Width' preset is selected as a good starting point for synths • The stereo wise button must be pressed to enable the plugin to function

The bands allow stereo spreading at different frequencies—low frequencies kept mono while high frequencies are made more stereo.

• The left/right diagram shows stereo information and helps avoid phase cancellation • Staying within 45-degree lines keeps phase intact • Always let ears guide decisions, not visual displays alone

Low mid frequencies around 130 Hz are reduced in the mid channel to preserve vocal clarity and reduce Rhodes patch thickness.

The high end is slightly boosted on the sides to brighten the edges of the stereo spectrum.

TR-5 EQ is used, though any EQ with mid/side capability will work.

This approach supplements the stereo widening plugin without over-boosting the high end directly in the imager.

• Mono version sounds more realistic and old-school • Stereo version sounds more modern with significantly wider soundscape • In headphones, the stereo version opens up and widens considerably

The vocal gains its own distinct space in the stereo version, reducing the sense of overlap with the Rhodes piano.

The stereo version sounds slightly thinner in mono but the EQ adjustments prevent major phase problems.

Both versions have merit—mono is more traditional while stereo is more contemporary; the choice depends on artistic taste.

• Stereo widening should be used minimally to avoid mushy, phasy, and strange-sounding mixes • Apply the technique only to elements where it will help the track shine most

Stereo widening is often forgotten as an option for keys patches like Rhodes stage pianos.

A trusted mentor's suggestion to explore mid/side EQ led to transforming the song's overall sound through stereo separation.

More in-depth tutorials on stereo separation and mid/side EQ are available for those wanting to understand how and why these techniques work.