Expanding Stereo Image in Sony Sound Forge

[rherron]

Like hundreds of other people I recently downloaded U2’s February 20, 2006 show from São Paulo, Brazil. It was broadcast on TV there and supposedly it’s in stereo though it looks and sounds more mono to me. I want to try to expand the stereo image in Sound Forge before I burn this to CD. I have never done this before and I would appreciate some assistance if anyone knows how to do it properly.

I think you do the following. Go to Process > Pan/Expand, then select “Stereo Expand” for the Process Mode. Then what? What is the proper setting for “Show Wave”? I’m guessing it would be “Mix Channels.” What do you do with the envelope (orange line)? I’m guessing push it up towards “Wide” but how far?

Basically I’m looking for whatever tips anyone may have.

Thanks,
Rob

[cleantone]

Just want to chime in to say that you can really screw up phase relationships and aural quality by over doing a stereo expansion. The mix might have been in stereo with not too much panned out. At concerts a lot of time the FOH engineer doesn't pan instruments out at all. This is so equal volumes comes out of each stack for all channels. So going to tape is can sound more mono. It is pretty common to keep all but the tom drums centered.

[Five]

you need to look at a phases analysis when you want to work on width. width is essentially how different the two channels are. the more different, the more wide. there are mastering tools which widen stereo image by dropping the "center channel" which is everything that is calculated to be identical. so if its a pretty much dry mix with stereo reverb, dropping the center channel will only increase reverb.

there's faux stereo and other options but I would recommend leaving it alone until you get more experience. play around with a copy (personal use) and see what you can come up with.

[rherron]

Originally Posted by Five

play around with a copy (personal use) and see what you can come up with.

That's the plan. I just wanted some tips to point me in the right direction as I am playing around with the copy I made of the show (I always copy the files before I start screwing around with them),

Rob

[Five]

I don't know soundforge too well but what you need to find first are the mastering tools (phase scope & centre channel adjustment tools)

[rherron]

Five:

I PM'd you.

Thank you very much.

Rob