ATKStereoPhaser: Create Volume from a Mono Signal
Finding the perfect stereo image in a mix is one of the key tasks for a sound engineer and musician. Often, we deal with mono tracks that lack width and movement. This is where modulation effects, in particular, phasers, come to the rescue.
Among the plethora of phaser plugins, there are tools that offer a unique approach to sound processing. One such tool is ATKStereoPhaser by Matthieu Brucher. This small but powerful plugin specializes in transforming a mono signal into a full-fledged stereo, filled with phase movement.
In essence, ATKStereoPhaser is a mono-to-stereo phaser. It takes your mono audio stream and creates two channels from it – left and right – applying a phasing effect with a different phase shift between them. This creates a sense of volume, space, and “swing” in the stereo field, which can significantly enrich your sound.
The beauty of ATKStereoPhaser lies in its simplicity and focus. It has only one control – Speed. This parameter controls the rate of change of the phase shift between the left and right channels. From slow, barely noticeable transitions that add subtle, organic movement, to fast, expressive modulations that can create interesting, even experimental textures. This minimalist approach makes the plugin extremely intuitive to use – you turn one knob and immediately hear the result, allowing you to quickly find the desired sound.
Where to Use ATKStereoPhaser?
The possibilities for using this plugin are quite wide, despite its simple functionality. It will come in handy whenever you need to add space, movement, and stereo width to a mono source:
- Guitars: Add stereo width and psychedelic movement to mono guitar parts, making them more voluminous in the mix.
- Synthesizers: Make mono pads or leads more voluminous and interesting, giving them a spatial dimension.
- Vocals: Experiment with subtle phasing effects on backing vocals to create additional space, or use more expressive ones on the main vocal to create a unique effect.
- Percussion: Bring mono percussion elements such as snares or hats to life by adding stereo dynamics and “air”.
- Any mono instrument: Turn any mono sound source into stereo, adding a unique phase effect that will help this element stand out in the mix.
Why Use ATKStereoPhaser?
In modern music production, creating an interesting and wide stereo image is extremely important for getting a professional result. ATKStereoPhaser offers a simple and effective way to achieve the desired width and movement, especially when you’re working with mono sources that need to be “colored” in stereo. It allows you to take an instrument out of the “center” of the mix, adding space and presence in the stereo field without overloading the mix with complex effects chains.
Features of ATKStereoPhaser:
- Specialized mono-to-stereo phaser
- Extremely simple interface with one “Speed” control to manage the modulation rate
- Effectively creates a phase shift between the left and right channels to achieve a stereo effect
- Perfect for quickly and easily adding volume and phase movement to any mono signals
- Developed by Matthieu Brucher
Compatibility:
- Plugin formats: VST, AU
- Supported operating systems: Windows (32- and 64-bit versions available), MacOS
ATKStereoPhaser is a useful and functional tool in the arsenal of any producer or sound engineer. Its specialized mono-to-stereo phasing function, combined with extremely simple controls, makes it an excellent choice for quickly and effectively adding stereo volume and interesting phase movement to your mono tracks. Try it to discover new possibilities for shaping your stereo image and make your mixes more spacious and dynamic!
