Most stereo enhancement utilizes manipulations in stereo phase and width utilizing sum and difference a.k.a. MS (Middle Side) matrix manipulations through compressing Mono and difference independently. It can be very effective to use. But it can also be overused. Thankfully by repeating certain procedures, one can Generally undo anything they overdid. Though not completely one may be able to morph it into something more usable? This is generally all based on left minus right and left plus right. Some of this could also be spectrally manipulated as well creating a nearly single button remix final mix. No doubt that some of these stereo phase and dynamically manipulated stereo mixes can certainly be more broadly enhanced highlighting a lot more depth. Great to bury a lead vocalist further down in the mix while enhancing all of the stereo guitar tricks. Then the drums set gets really wide and the colored girls go Boop D. dupe, D. dupe Boop D. dupe D. dupe... (inject more heroin and repeat)...

Take a walk on the wild side
Mx. Remy Ann David

With most "dumb" (as in, simple M/S volume manipulation) stereo enhancers, "100" is the same as "bypass."

Is the definition of a "dumb" stereo enhancer one that takes L+R panned center, L-R panned left and R-L panned right, and allows you to mix them to taste? What does a "smart" stereo enhancer do? (I've never played with any of the boxes. Bit of predudice left over from my live sound days when I decided that anything labeled "enhancer" or "exciter" was basically a "turn up the suck" button. I admit it is a predudice, but it has some experience behind it.)

By "dumb" I mean a simple M/S volume control. That vs. band-passed or "multi-band" stereo enhancers that allow M/S control over a specific frequency range, Haas filters, etc.

if you can't manipulate center channel and sides separately i wouldn't use it in mastering since you will start to loose the center

Understanding that it's a tool, much like any other production tool. It can have it's "wow" factor - primarily to those who have heard the same mix over and over again, LOL.

I've used them occasionally, although very sparingly. As Remy mentioned, they can be useful for ducking that in-yo'-face vocal back a little bit, and they can certainly add depth and space....

But, you need to be careful with them, as they can also decrease the "punch" and definition of a mix. And, if the track is played back on something that already incorporates a hyper-extended stereo image (like maybe a Bose), then all of a sudden the drums become 40 feet wide and the guitar amp is out in the parking lot. ;)

Oh, and be sure to check for mono compatibility as well.

Hey Har!

I have used that particular spatial tool before. It's actually pretty good, especially for a stock steinberg plug. But you have to use it VERY sparingly, like everyone else has said. That plugin will ruin your mix if you push it too hard. It depends on the track, but sometimes it can get your track into phase trouble as low as 140.

Pax Caritas et lol,
-Clark

Hey Har!

I have used that particular spatial tool before. It's actually pretty good, especially for a stock steinberg plug. But you have to use it VERY sparingly, like everyone else has said. That plugin will ruin your mix if you push it too hard. It depends on the track, but sometimes it can get your track into phase trouble as low as 140.

Oh and like MM said, 100 is bypass.

Pax Caritas et lol,
-Clark

EDIT: Sorry for the double post guys. I can't find a delete post button anywhere. :/