A cool way to add some stereo imaging to your sounds without needing the fancy stereo plug-ins is to use panning, delay, the modulation within the delay and some EQ to make the delay sound different than the other source.

The best part is it also makes it shimmer more in mono!

Here's what you do:

Step 1 - Panning

Pain your dry instrument to one side of the stereo spectrum. Then send it to a mono bus that you pan to the other side.

Step 2 - Space

Whether you want a big reverb or a nice slap-echo is up to you but just to create the perceived stereo width I'd recommend a short delay of about 30 ms. For added measure use the depth and rate control on your delay to slightly detune and modulate the delay to create further separation.

Toggle it on and off to hear how the instrument widens across the stereo spectrum.

It's especially great for mono keyboard pads and organs. Oooooh lush!

But we're not quite done because it's really just a mono panned delay at this point.

Step 3 - EQ

By using EQ on the delay bus you can make the delay sound different than the original signal.

In combination with the modulated delay that's panned across the stereo spectrum you get a pseudo-stereo doubling effect that's very effective when you just want some subtle depth in your mixes but don't want to screw around with stereo widening plug-ins.

EQ is so handy in every situation. Not only do you use it to make all of your instruments fit together in the mix, but you also use it to sculpt your sends to make them work better with your effects.

If EQ is something you need help with I've got just the thing for you, EQ Strategies - The Ultimate Guide to EQ.

Check it out here:

www.EQStrategies.net