Pseudo-stereo audio processing techniques produce a wider special impression while generating an illusion of multi-directional audible perspective. For this reason, these techniques create two stereo channels from a single one. For this reason, people also call it simulated stereo. In addition to what we just described, you can use pseudo-stereo as an audio manipulation tool as well.
All About Pseudo-Stereo
The stereo signal involves two different channels with connected elements in the left and right outputs. Pseudo-stereo uses processing techniques for one channel and no processing for the other one. In this process, you can add a minor delay or chorus to one of the channels.
Some Ways to Employ This Technique
Musicians can use pseudo-stereo in diverse ways. Firstly, there is the Sum/Difference method. The Sum/Difference method involves a main speaker or cluster that is exactly the same as the one used in a mono system and gets a left-plus-right mono sum. Secondly, another speaker system involves at least two speakers that are located on the sidewalls and get a left-minus-right difference signal. Due to the location of the amplifier, the main speaker is the only one able to replicate signals presented equally in left and right. In addition, the central speaker and the side speakers reproduce any signal presented in left only or right only. The design of the side speakers offers a dispersed sound that has a spacious room-filling feature.
Thirdly, the single point speaker system has high speech precision. The left-to-center to right panning action reproduces as spacious – direct – spacious. Today’s recordings are different, as they use the side speakers to create spaciousness and effects. Experts commonly use the central speaker for the main instruments and voices only. In this case, the talking head is employed as music bed and for audience effects.
You can achieve pseudo-stereo effects through the use of some EQ software plugins in DAWs. For instance, the Sum/Difference method is great at eliminating frequencies from one channel at a time, as well as removing unwanted phasing and chorusing. While one channel is usually on, the other one is off, but when both of them work at the same time, they produce a really deep stereo effect.
