I have a recording of a solo guitar (clean, not rock or metal sound) What's the easiest way, other than compression to give it more presence, i.e. a bigger sound?
Delays make it a full sound. You can copy it to another track and then slide it a little for offset. Play with the amount until it sounds right, but it is usually very small. Then pan one left and the other right. You can also use Delay plugins but I find this original more organic sounding.But be careful, sometimes you slide it so that it sounds great in stereo but terrible in mono.
Thanks! That actually sounds pretty good, I moved the second track not even a full frame's worth of time and it sounds better already. If I'm having things panned left and right like this, would would be the correct way to encode the final MP4 video for upload to Youtube, Facebook, etc. so that the panning is maintained?
What you're doing is called the Hass effect. You should be aware in some cases if the listener is hearing in mono there may be some phase cancelations. (Edit) David made mention of this...
So you're saying I have no control is the listener is hearing in Mono or Stereo sound? These videos are going to be on sites like Vimeo, Youtube and FB
You may want to try Voxengo's free VST plug-in 'Stereo Touch'. A slap back echo and some reverb can help a dead sounding acoustic guit, Check for mono compatibility on different large and small speakers. Like most effects, if adjusted improperly or used to excess, it can really f__k up the sound. A phase scope (recommended) is included with Sound Forge Pro if you have that application.
Plug-in Alliance's Noveltech Character plug-in can really make an instrument jump out of the speakers as well. It ain't free though.
Addendum: "I have no control is the listener is hearing in Mono or Stereo sound?"
- Basically yes. Except if you post it in mono to begin with, it will still be mono on stereo speakers. i.e; same sound comes out of both speakers equally, unless the users playback system is forked up which we have no control over.
David's suggestion is a very good and simple way to add delay presence to a mix.
Also, a touch of plate or room reverb also will give your mix some presence. The reverb setting room size depends on the venue you're trying to create on the video. Just drop in the reverb effect that comes with Vegas on your audio track and go thru the some of the presets and adjust to settings to how you like them.