2. Spatial expansion using Split Mix
If you really want your reverb, texture, and space in your track to feel alive, they need to feel larger than life itself. This quality is hard to put your finger on exactly, but it is something that reverb presets can rarely live up to. And it’s something that a lot of producers tend to overlook. But, a little stereo widening can make all the difference, making your track feel open and all-encompassing versus stale, lifeless, and a bit two-dimensional.
You don’t need to go crazy. A little bit of stereo widening can go a long way. Think about using mid-side processing or panning automation to have some of these effects move to the left and the proper channels to create more room in your mix. A bit of width helps glue ambient layers together while still giving them enough space to breathe.
In Guitar Rig, the “Split Mix” module lets you do just that. Adjusting the width parameter to about 60-70% opens up the space without overdoing it. For an alternative approach, use the ‘Crossover Split’ setting in Split Mix. This allows you to split the signal by frequency, applying different effects to separate bands. This brings out a nuanced texture that changes across the frequency spectrum, giving your ambient atmospheres a new layer of depth and dimension.
Pro tip: A mix is all about contrast. Use Split Mix to create different ambiences on the left and right channels, which will result in an ultra-wide and highly detailed stereo field that is greater than the sum of its parts.