The Dangerous M/S processor sounds pretty good.

The S1 is the only one that I've found that doesn't sound phasey if you know what I mean. But, I only use it on certain instruments that I want to pull out to the sides. Like the heavy rhythm guitars or maybe on a clean chimey kind of guitar part.

Thanks

Thanks guys,I'm just about to start the leaning curve with ms its a little trcky to grasp but I should start to get some nice results after playing a bit.The dangerous ms hmmmm thanks Mike I'll have a good read on anything I can find,can you suggest any articles to read?

the dangerous company, the ones that make the 2-bus mixer, has a m/s processor thingy with a stereo spreader that sounds pretty good.

heathen22 wrote: Hi guy's I was just wondering how often you use a stereo spreader to open up a mix or close up one which is too wide?Can you please name any hardware which is good for this

Getting out of the DAW, will make the mix wider in general. A Folcrom is perfect for this application. It can do either, open a mix or close it, because it's dependent on the preamp you use for the make up gain. For example, if you want a wider spread, try the Buzz Audio MA2.2TX with the Folcrom. If you want a smaller more focused mix, try a colored preamp with lots of transformers, a Vintech or OSA MP1-C (focused and tight) would work nicely.

There are various tools available, some of which have been suggested. The only thing I can advise, is that after using any tool that spreads/widens the stereo image is to then check its mono compatibility (outside the DAW where the stereo spread is created) as well as constantly check a coorelation meter. To much L-R can cause problems, especially if the material is intended for broadcast.

Bob Katz's K-Stereo box is a great sounding box that can do wonders for opening up a mix. It isn't perfect for everything and is a bit of an expensive one-trick pony, but it is nice for what it does.

I usually have a collection of tools for image manipulation as needed. They range from Mid-Side processes to the waves S-1 (on rare occasion) to the Sequoia Multiband image adjuster.

All have plusses and minuses but like all things in audio, having multiple tools ends up helping in the long run.

-Ben

I found the MS processing in dbx quantum has excellent sound. Solid and not phasey.