Create Wider Synths

You can use many different techniques to make your synth sounds sound big and wide. Things like panning, stereo doubling plugins, or the Haas effects are worth checking out. Recently, we also discovered an unorthodox and obscure technique of designing stereo sounds that applies to just about any sound source. We wanted to share it with our ever-growing community!  

Using Waves Q10 Equalizer

The main problem with many PA systems is that they are set in Mono. No matter how hard you try to make wider stereo sounds in your mix, they won't sound as expected. However, you can use the following trick with Waves Q10 equalizer to design your Mono sounds clear and punchy. So, let's move to practical examples! Firstly, let's put an instance of Q10 on the synth stab sequence. I previously made it together with some basic rhythm in Soundbridge DAW.  

Let's first hear the unprocessed synth stab sequence solo and then with rhythm and the bassline.

~Synth Stab - Unprocessed

~Synth Stab - Unprocessed + Rhythm & Bassline

After opening the Q10 interface, we see that Waves changed the interface for its native plugins. I must say it looks great. I will choose the “1" X Pseudo Stereo” "reset from the preset menu. All ten available bands will be engaged and spread equally over the frequency spectrum. First, I marked the “G" IN” "field in red. Inside, you can select all ten bands, lasso them, and move them up and down in order to hit the desired amount of the stereo spread. The second field I marked in red is “F EQ.". Again, you can lasso all ten bands. 

However, this section allows you to move the bands throughout the frequency spectrum until you hit the desired spot. Feel free to enhance middle and high frequencies in the stereo field. By doing so, you can achieve the desired sound. Let's hear how it sounds once I have set the stereo width for the synth stab sequence. Remember that a slight reverb and delay accompany the first audio example. The second example also contains the rhythm and bassline.

~Synth Stab - Processed with Waves Q10

~Synth Stab - Processed with Waves Q10 + Rhythm & Bassline

This simple yet powerful preset will help you create synth sounds that will sound clear on any sound system!