Stereo effect processing on snare drums?

[MADSTATION]

Hi guys!
I'd like to know how to make my snare sound wider...almost stereo like.
It's used on a lot of house tracks...It gives more of a live feel.

You guys know what I'm talking about?

I'll try to post a clip tonight when I get home.

[Merlot]

If you are using logic, you can use the spreader plugin. Another trick is to add a very very short stereo delay on it. This will widen it up.

[MADSTATION]

I'm using SX3...
I played a bit with delay settings but it introduced some phasing in the signal so I tried the Waves Doubler plugin on the snare...

Not too bad but not exactly what I'm looking for.

Quick audio sample that I just did: http://www.madstation.net/clubhouse2-01.mp3

Sound of the kind of snare that I'm looking for:
http://www.madstation.net/cirezd-hoodpecker.mp3

Any clue?

[Merlot]

Did you try different lengths for each side of the stereo delay spectrum. That might avoid the phasing. Will also give a wider sound.
Could also try an envelope follower on the snare. The one in the first sample sounds like it has more sustain than the one you are using. Could also give the "wider effect"
Dont have a working setup, so I cant really test it out myself.
:|

[MADSTATION]

Merlot: Thanks I will try setting different lenghts for each side when I get home tonight :) Makes sense heh

[MADSTATION]

I've spent a few hours trying out stuff and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

Here is a clip:

http://www.madstation.net/Mad-Breaks(19aout).mp3

I had great results using the RoomMachine844 VST from Silverspike.
I also used Eqium, fantastic EQ plugin. I like how easy it is to split the signal in 2 parts(left/right) and then apply different EQ settings for each side. Gives great depth to the source materiel...I've used it on some of the synths as well :)

[Timo]

How about adding ambience (reverb/delay) then compressing? DigitalFishPhones' Endorphin has a nice M/S control which allows you to split and compress Middle and Side differently, or by stereo-ising the output using M/S and it works great if you add it after adding the reverb/delay beforehand as it emphasises the stereo nature of the ambience while bringing it forward.

[XLR8A]

I used to phatten up my snares with a very short gate-reverb, and then hi-pass the
reverb at around 150hz - 300hz to remove any low-end. It sounds nice in drum&bass.

[hatembr]

a little classic tip but i don't know the result with a snare (i know it works great with vocals) :
duplicate your track, and move one of them by few ms forward, it will sound fatter and wider.

[MADSTATION]

Wow thanks for all these tips guys!

Timo: You were right...I've actually put my compressor after the reverb and it gives a really nice effect.

I've tried everything so far that was in this thread and each technique has its own flavor :)

thanks again

[BlakeLight]

PSP's Stereo Enhancer and Stereo Controller are a great combination for controlling and locating the stereo location of whatever you run it through.

[XLR8A]

Usually the bassdrum and snare must be as mono as possible to make the drum
sound propa' in the mix, and no left-right panning allowed. For some experimental
bad sounding music - rules do not apply, so pan the kick hard left and the snare right.

[Timo]

The bassdrum's normally in the centre to deliver maximum power over both speakers, due to low frequencies requiring the most grunt. Same with the bassline. Also I believe it was so that the needle didn't jump out of the groove so much when using vinyl, too.

[XLR8A]

The bassdrum's normally in the centre to deliver maximum power over both speakers, due to low frequencies requiring the most grunt. Same with the bassline. Also I believe it was so that the needle didn't jump out of the groove so much when using vinyl, too.
Exactly, and about Vinyl, everything below about 300hz must
be mono to avoid this needle jump-up jump-up and get down.
Also, it takes longer for low-frequencies to travel through the air,
what makes it harder to define the direction they're coming from.