Hardware for Adjusting the Center Image in Stereo

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Bongo Beater

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Ages ago, I had a cheap EQ unit that had a button described as "stereo wide" or "stereo expand" that brought down the level of the center in a stereo mix, effectively boosting the left and right audio. As I recall, the effect wasn't very subtle.

I wonder if there is any hardware that accomplishes something similar, but allowing for more subtle adjustments.

With digital files, I have played around with the center image using Audacity, but I don't have time to remix things. I would love having the convenience of a component that allows me to slowly turn a dial to get the center where I want it in the mix.

Does something like this exist, and if so, is it pricey or affordable?
 
Not to my knowledge. Back in the 90's when surround sound began to dominate the mainstream things like EQ and other similar faded away. Most A/V receivers had built-in EQ that was much better end result than the manual. It was actually able to measure for room abnormalities, phasing along with frequency response..

What are you using for electronics? There are home theater receivers/processors that would help with much of your issues. I do think placing the speakers on one wall under the window as you described would be a good move. You could then look for room treatments that might fit the décor without being too out of place.

When you mention adjusting the center are you meaning in volume or position? Manual set up on A/V equipment allow tweaking, the center has separate volume control and increase/decrease of left or right would move your center image. If possible I thinking moving to something in an A/V piece you might find helpful.

Hope this wasn't confusing. A/V=audio/video which I use that and home theater interchangeable.
 
I should mention if using a home theater receiver/processor you do not need several channels of speakers or amplification. You tell the unit what you have in the set up menu, you can use what is called a Phantom center, you can have anywhere from two channels up to the units capacity.

After thinking about your posts something in home theater might just fit your needs.
 
Thanks all. I am using an old-school Pioneer Amplifier. I have a set of speakers in one room and another set in the adjacent room. I play both CDs and LPs.

I'm less interested in the position of the center image than I am its relative volume. I have many albums from the early years of stereo with wonky stereo mixes, many of which include a center image that is too loud relative to what is mixed left and right. Some older jazz vocal albums come to mind. I would love the convenience of turning a knob slightly to reduce the center, as you would with a volume knob.

As I mentioned, I've played around with reducing the center image on some recordings using Audacity. I have gotten some great results, but I don't really have the time or inclination to remix entire albums and burn them onto CD-Rs.

I guess the component I'm looking for doesn't exist, unless I want to transition to a home theatre receiver/processor.
 
Are you playing multichannel files? Those are quite simple to change volume on any multichannel preamp (I have a Conrad Johnson MET-1) or a multichannel receiver. My multichannel DAC I think also has a digital setting for each channel. Larry
 
astrotoy said:
Are you playing multichannel files? Those are quite simple to change volume on any multichannel preamp (I have a Conrad Johnson MET-1) or a multichannel receiver. My multichannel DAC I think also has a digital setting for each channel. Larry
Click to expand...

I don't have any multichannel files. Just LPs and CDs.
 
Bongo Beater said:
Ages ago, I had a cheap EQ unit that had a button described as "stereo wide" or "stereo expand" that brought down the level of the center in a stereo mix, effectively boosting the left and right audio. As I recall, the effect wasn't very subtle.

Does something like this exist, and if so, is it pricey or affordable?
Click to expand...

All electronic processing will degrade the signal to some extent so best to avoud such things as tone control, equalisers, even DSP if you can. Best stereo imaging (close your eyes and you can point at soloist or particular instruments) which I think is what you're trying to achieve, is best done by very subtle adjustment of speaker location, in particular toe-in. At some point you'll find the exact spot where your music comes to life.
 
Hear Here said:
All electronic processing will degrade the signal to some extent so best to avoud such things as tone control, equalisers, even DSP if you can. Best stereo imaging (close your eyes and you can point at soloist or particular instruments) which I think is what you're trying to achieve, is best done by very subtle adjustment of speaker location, in particular toe-in. At some point you'll find the exact spot where your music comes to life.
Click to expand...

Respectfully, I'm not talking about stereo imaging. I'm talking about improving bad stereo mixes. Moving my speakers won't fix a lousy stereo mix.
 
Bongo Beater said:
…
I guess the component I'm looking for doesn't exist, unless I want to transition to a home theatre receiver/processor.
Click to expand...

I’m afraid your conclusion is correct. And while there are very good A/V processors out there that give you lots of flexibility (including DSP room correction) they only work with digital sources. That leaves out your LPs unless you do ADC.

It sounds to me that you might still prefer your own mixing.
 
Bongo Beater said:
I respectfully disagree. Why should otherwise good music be forever trapped in a lousy mix?
Click to expand...

Interesting notion. If the music is "good" then why not play it as it is? Or do you want to attempt a better job than the mixing engineer? He had the advantage of multiple tracks to create the best mix he could - you have only the single track that the record company (and normally the artist too) has accepted as good from the mixing engineer. And my main point holds - all processing degrades the signal to some degree. You may prefer its processed presentation but it's still degraded. Or have I still misunderstood your question? Apologies if so.
 
nicoff said:
I’m afraid your conclusion is correct. And while there are very good A/V processors out there that give you lots of flexibility (including DSP room correction) they only work with digital sources. That leaves out your LPs unless you do ADC.

It sounds to me that you might still prefer your own mixing.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, the job doesn't pay enough. ;) Plus, I hate creating CD-Rs that will end up in the landfill.

Or, I just buy a vintage cheap EQ that had the stereo expand feature.
 
Bumping this thread.

I found a plug-in called a Leapwing Centerone which allows you to adjust the center image in real-time. Since I back up all me CDs and pair my laptop with external speakers, I am thinking about buying this for digital listening. Has anyone tried it?

Leapwing CenterOne Spatial Plugin
 
Bongo Beater said:
Bumping this thread.

I found a plug-in called a Leapwing Centerone which allows you to adjust the center image in real-time. Since I back up all me CDs and pair my laptop with external speakers, I am thinking about buying this for digital listening. Has anyone tried it?

Leapwing CenterOne Spatial Plugin
Click to expand...

I thought that this thread was long dead after the OP dismissed all options suggested by those who bothered to reply.
 
nicoff said:
I thought that this thread was long dead after the OP dismissed all options suggested by those who bothered to reply.
Click to expand...

Not sure I understand what you are saying. Some suggested that I was talking about the position of the center image, whereas I as talking about the relative volume of the center image. I realize that there may not be a piece of hardware that will accomplish this, other than a cheap EQ with a stereo expander, but I am curious how this digital plug-in works. Have you tried it by chance?
 
I sometimes hit the mono button on the really strong old mixes. If you are using something like Roon there is a setting for “cross feed” which does exactly what you are describing. It is meant for headphones, but I don’t see why it would not help with your issue.
 
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