STEREOLAB: Stereo Width and Imaging Plugin by Boom

STEREOLAB includes four stereophonic modules that can be combined and placed in a fully customizable order. Widen creates a side signal from any source while leaving the mid signal unaltered. M/S gives control over the mid or side elements of the stereo field, which can help add movement. The Stereo module handles panning and balance, along with interaural time delay options. Width tames the width of a signal and includes an optional band splitter, so low-frequency width can be controlled separately from the rest of the spectrum.

Because the modules can be reordered, the same plugin can be set up for very different jobs, from subtle corrections to strong widening effects.

Producers can apply STEREOLAB to drums to build wider, more spacious kits, or to synths to create broad sounds with layered stereo detail. On vocals, it can widen backing parts or convert a mono voice into a stereo image. Sound effects benefit from panning and gain adjustments that place elements precisely and add movement. For ambient recordings, the stereo image can be reshaped to add a sense of depth.

The Width module's band splitter is useful when you want to keep bass centered while widening the upper frequencies.