Having trouble creating a stereo field.

[Jay Jay]

I've been reading this board for sometime now and there are many things I've picked up from all of you. Thanks!
After many searches there's something I can't seem to figure out.

I'm mixing down drums (2 tracks in stereo), bass (1 track mono), and one guitar (2 tracks mono). I have a nice mix and stereo seperation with the drums and bass. Now, when I mix in the guitar, I don't want it panned just to one side, or worse, in the center. On many recordings, (modern hard rock/punk) it seems to sound like the guitar is coming from each speaker seperately. It has a very wide field.

The closest I got is this. I sent one track mostly to the left channel. I sent the other track, through a delay, mostly through the right channel. This seems to achieve the sound I'm looking for, but I'm guessing I'm having a phase problem. As I play with the delay setting (1-30 ms), the sound and appearant position of the guitar changes. I can't seem to get the right balance.

Any Ideas???? After a year or so of playing around with this whole recording thing, I'm stuck and I don't know what else to do. I'm using CEP, so I have some effects/processers to use. Thanks, Jay....

 

[Stealthtech]

For true stereo, you need to record with two mics in different locations on two different channels. I remember reading a thread that detailed this info.
I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[Light]

Go type Haas Effect into Google, and you will find out why the guitar moves as you change the delay times. And if you have delay times that short, it is entirely possible. Phase is a TIME issue, not a polarity issue. You must be very careful with short delays (particularly those under 5-10ms). Here is some phase related posts I have made:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=62002

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=57636

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=59380

You might try a couple of things. First, you might try doubling the guitar part, and panning the two parts wide. I think this works best if the two parts have very different sounds, such as a Strat and a Les Paul through two different amps. You could also try panning the guitar down the middle, and then creating a multi tap delay, putting out eighth notes on both sides in turn. Remember to time the delay with the music. Stereo chorus can be cool, but on distorted guitars, I think it usually sounds like the amp is underwater or something. Eddie Van Halen always used to have the clean (distorted) guitar on one side, and a phaser on the other side. One can not say much bad about HIS sound.
The real trick is to make the two sides sound distinct, while still sounding like the same part.

Have fun.

Light

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