STAGE
Stage makes a stereo picture from a mono recording by keeping the lower frequencies in the center and spreading the higher frequencies left and right. Use it on a voice and guitar recording to give the guitar's sparkle more room around the vocal.
Controls
WIDTH
- Range
- 0% to 100%
- Default
- 55%
Sets how far the higher frequencies spread around the center. Raise it for a wider picture, lower it when the recording feels scattered.
FOCUS
- Range
- 800Hz to 5.0k
- Default
- 2.4k
Sets the dividing frequency: sound below it stays centered, sound above it spreads. Raise it to keep more of the voice in the middle, lower it to spread more of the recording.
DEPTH
- Range
- 0% to 100%
- Default
- 40%
Brings the centered sound forward while making the spread sound quieter and darker. Raise it to give the center more presence, lower it for a more even balance with the sides.
Start here
For a mono voice and acoustic guitar recording, try WIDTH at 50%, FOCUS at 2.4k and DEPTH at 35%. Listen on headphones, then raise FOCUS if the voice spreads too much or lower WIDTH if the guitar pulls away from the center.
Questions
Can I make a mono recording sound stereo?
Stage keeps the lower part of the sound centered and uses very short delays to spread the higher part between the left and right channels. It gives a single mono recording a wider picture without chorus-like pitch movement.
Does Stage separate my voice from my guitar?
It works by frequency, so it cannot isolate the instruments in a mixed recording. High parts of the voice can spread with the guitar, and low guitar notes can stay in the center.
Why is my voice spreading to the sides?
Some of its detail is above FOCUS, where Stage adds width. Raise FOCUS to keep more of the voice centered, or lower WIDTH for a smaller spread.