Create Piano Stereo from Mono using different EQ Curves on Master Buss

Thomas-Monks wrote on 2/26/2021, 7:27 PM

Greetings ! Ok, here is the situation...Running Vegas 16.

I have a mono microphone picking up a piano. I thought it would be nice to have stereo. I have looked into a delay-type free plugin and thing it would be much better to place a different EQ curve on the main buss L and R channels. I would have a 'higher on the lows, going downhill' for the Left Channel and the opposite for the right channel and viola, the lows of the piano are on the left and the highs are on the right.

I can't figure out how to get different EQs on left and right channels.

If you folks have any other idea to accomplish my objective, please let me know.

Thanks !

Tom

 

Comments

Musicvid wrote on 2/26/2021, 7:41 PM

the lows of the piano are on the left and the highs are on the right.

Heh, that's how it is when you're sitting at the piano, opposite of how it's normally heard (and recorded)..

it would be much better to place a different EQ curve on the main buss L and R channels

It would be better to record the whole range of sounds and do your EQ in post. You can apply your effects at the Media, Track, Event, or Output level.

 

Thomas-Monks wrote on 2/26/2021, 8:09 PM

Thanks for the reply...

Yes, I'm talking about in Vegas 16 editing suite. I can add plugins, including EQs anywhere. My problem is that I can't find a way to master buss to allow different EQs on each left and right master buss channel.

==UPDATE==

Although it's not nice and easy, I will copy the mono audio track to a second mono audio track. I will pan the first track to LEFT and the second track to RIGHT on the main audio buss. On each track, I will add a different EQ effect which will give me the desired result. I think that's about my only option. Thanks again.

Dexcon wrote on 2/26/2021, 10:43 PM

iZotope have a free plugin called Ozone Imager which can be used for stereoizing mono audio - https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone-imager.html

If you don't already have an account with iZotope, you'll probably need to create one in order to get this and any of their 3 other free plugins.

Since Ozone Imager is free, it would be worthwhile getting it to see if it provides you with a result to your liking.

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Musicvid wrote on 2/27/2021, 9:37 AM

I will copy the mono audio track to a second mono audio track. I will pan the first track to LEFT and the second track to RIGHT on the main audio buss. On each track, I will add a different EQ effect which will give me the desired result. 

That is what was implied -- not a conventional treatment, however.

I have used Crown boundary microphones and Shure SM81s in pairs, and for quick setups, X-Y pairing on an h4 with surprisingly good results.

As always, stereo is better recorded than simulated in post.

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/piano-recording

 

rraud wrote on 2/27/2021, 10:02 AM

There are many plug-ins free and otherwise) to simulate stereo. Pianos are the most difficult IMO. I have used 'all the above' at one time or another and frequently find myself going back to Voxengo's Stereo Touch. As I stated, it is a simulator and nothing like a properly stereo mic'd concert grand , but it may work with in a mix with other instruments if youare not a purist..

Thomas-Monks wrote on 2/27/2021, 11:07 AM

Thank you all for your excellent advice... Background: Formerly used the cheap $60 Sony camcorder XY stereo mic. It was complete garbage for classical music. Recently purchased Sony ECM-CG60 shotgun for my camcorder and that is WAY BETTER (so old mic is going on Ebay).

I do not have any other recording mic. I run Vegas 16 and Voxengo TEOTE does a terrific job of 'Dynamic Auto-EQ' of any issues. Here is the final answer which I used. Although I was skeptical, it turned out to be an excellent solution for my issue... I tried the FREE Voxengo Stereo Touch on 'Surround no delay' mode and it was wonderful. Yes it's phony, but it's terrific for what it does. I will dampen the processing -3db or so to taste.

Thanks again, Although I don't quite understand how this plugin works, it doesn't matter too much because, well it works ! :-).

Former user wrote on 2/27/2021, 11:25 AM

Just something to check. Sometimes these stereo converters work by playing with the phase of the channels. If there is a chance someone is going to hear the final song in Mono, you might want to check it in mono to make sure you are not getting unwanted cancelation caused by the phasing.

rraud wrote on 2/27/2021, 1:12 PM

I have used Crown boundary microphones and Shure SM81s in pairs, and for quick setups, X-Y pairing on an h4 with surprisingly good results.

Same here, my preferred setup when the piano lid must be closed. Crown PCC-160 boundary mics gaffer taped to piano lid.

Musicvid wrote on 2/27/2021, 3:20 PM

Yes, I eventually sold my pair of PCC-160s [sigh].

rraud wrote on 2/28/2021, 11:13 AM

Save here MV, I did not use them much when I became a PSM and needed to help finance the (expensive) radio mics.