I am getting interested in building a hardware stereo image widener circuit. I have seen a few ideas floating around based on the Middle(M) +Side(S) technique. The basic premise can be summarized into the following equations:
Encoding M and S
Middle = L+R
Side = L-R
Middle Circuit
Translating that into basic op-amp circuits, the Middle signal could be created with a summing amplifier.
I am not sure if a non inverting summing amplifier will be as stable as inverting amplifier, but its a simple to test to find out. If Rf is a short and Ri is open then the Middle = Left + Right.
Side Circuit
For the side signal a difference amplifier can be used.
If all the Resistors are the same value then Side output = Left-Right
Decoding M and S
The basic equations are as follows:
L = M+S
R = M-S
Decoding can be done using the same summing and difference circuits, just with different inputs.
You need a bit more circuitry if you want to handle
You need a bit more circuitry if you want to handle balanced inputs and outputs. You also have to cater for the overall 6dB gain that you get if you go LR -> MS -> LR. You can do this by giving each route a gain of -3dB, or just arrange the first unit to have -6dB and the second 0dB. This avoids possible internal overload.
I've built lots of different types of M-S en/decoders, but the one that proved most robust in practice was a passive box using 1:1+1 transformers. It was quite critical on the type of construction that the transformer used, as the splitting/recombination tended to break down at low frequencies.
You might also look at using THAT1240 and 1246 devices, since they have internal resistors of the necessary precision.