PS22 Stereo Maker by Waves stereo width plugin interface

PS22 Stereo Maker: Stereo Width and Imaging Plugin by Waves

PS22 Stereo Maker is a stereo synthesis and imaging plugin from Waves that converts mono sources to stereo, widens or narrows stereo images, and can collapse a stereo signal back to mono.

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01Overview

PS22 Stereo Maker is an effects plugin in the Stereo Width category from Waves. It is built for working on stereo image, both on tracks that start in mono and on material that is already stereo but needs more control. Waves describes it as a toolbox for stereo synthesis and imaging. The plugin can also be used on mono hardware effects and synths, giving their output a wider stereo presence. Its aim is to add width without the phase problems that many older stereo tools introduce.

Best for

Stereo guitar and keys
Widening mono synths
Mono-compatible mixing
Vinyl mastering prep
Stereo sound design

Developer: Waves
Category: Stereo Width
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Converts mono sources such as guitar and synths into rich stereo
Collapses back to mono without phasey artifacts
Adds a stereo image to older mono hardware effects
Enhances and intensifies mono instruments and voice
Narrows selected frequency ranges in overly wide stereo audio
Spreads mono or stereo audio gently or splits it dramatically
Makes waveform peaks more symmetrical for extra headroom
Offers frequency-shifting effects controllable by DAW automation

03In depth

Stereo Width Tools for Mono and Stereo Sources

PS22 Stereo Maker works in two directions. It can take a mono source such as guitar, electric piano, an analog synth or a mono recording and build a stereo image from it. It can also take stereo material and make it wider, or narrow selected frequency ranges when the stereo field is too broad.

Spread can be applied gently or pushed to a split for dramatic separation. Waves says the process avoids the phasey sound associated with earlier stereo effects, and the plugin can collapse the output back to mono without those artifacts, which helps when checking mono compatibility.

Waves also lists a headroom option that makes waveform peaks more symmetrical, and frequency-shifting effects that can be automated from the DAW.

Workflow and Creative Use

The plugin suits producers who want to place mono parts in a stereo field without rebuilding them. Typical uses named by the developer include giving older mono hardware effects a modern stereo image, enhancing mono instruments and voice, and narrowing overly wide stereo tracks.

Because frequency-shifting and spread parameters can be automated, it can also serve sound design work where the stereo image changes over time. Waves describes the set of creative options as broader than typical stereo synthesis tools, though the feature list itself is the best guide to what is available.

04Specs