Stereo vs dual mono - ITB mixing

[KissMyRobot]

One of the things that came my mind, especially hearing all over the place that OTB tracks seem "wider" or "more 3d", ad naseum, is the idea that most stereo processing is just dual mono. This would mean there are slight variations in any "dynamic" processing like compression and saturation between the left and right channel. Granted I know some analog gear works in linked mode for true stereo but I feel like that is rare.

In Adobe Audition, I can take stereo effects and bypass routing on one channel, so I set up two plugins on the stereo or master bus with the same settings. I've just now started to experiment with it so the jury is out.

Anyone have any thoughts about this mode of thinking?

 

[RRuskin]

You may or may not like the results but "dual mono" is in no way the same as true stereo.

 

[Farview]

It is not rare for two channel compressors to have a stereo link mode. Even some single channel compressors have a way of hooking two together to work in stereo mode.

Im not sure why something would sound "better" mixed otb, other than the mojo of having the audio going through a really nice audio path. I think trying to introduce errors into the system in an attempt to make something better is chasing your tail.

As with anything else, it will be a combination of things that create the effect you are after. It is also flawed thinking that assumes that any otb mix will have these qualities. You will get wildly different results doing an otb mix on an ssl than you would on a 20 year old mackie 8 buss. They won't sound anything like each other and neither will sound like an itb mix.