Stereo-Doubling Question

[Jason.M.Watts]

I have been wanting to ask some questions about the "Stereo-Double" feature, which is included in SO, SV, and I would assume most of the other libraries.

I really haven't found a reason to use the feature, though I will admit it's a unique, likeable sound depending on how it's used. I guess my most pressing question would be: What is the real-world scenario where this feature would be used, or is there one? Would someone use a technique like this with live-recorded instruments/orchestral sections?

I understand how it works, and I can hear what it's doing, but is it a feature many of you use frequently, and does it have some practical benefits I'm unaware of?

I know the "Sum to Mono" feature is described as giving one the ability to create older-sounding recordings, etc., and I'm familiar with other applications for summing to mono, but this stereo-doubling is a new concept for me.

I hope my questions make sense, and that this hasn't been approached in a thread I have somehow missed.

Thanks in advance for reading and/or responding!

Jason Watts

[Morten Gjermundsen]

From the manual..

This knob, with its three buttons, gives the user the option of using exclusively
the left stereo signal or right when “Stereo” is selected from
the Channel Source drop-down. For any other setting, this control has no
effect. The reason for having the choice is that in some instruments the
left and right signals are separately recorded samples. For example, the
Gibson Les Paul guitar was recorded through a Mesa Boogie amp on the left and the
signal was captured direct, with no amplifier, on the right. You have the choice of using
either sound alone or a mix of the two sounds.
The knob lets the user determine the spread of the signals, how far apart the ear perceives
the stereo channels to be. A value of 0% brings the two channels together at the
center (unless the Pan knob positions the output differently), and is the equivalent of
turning off the controls with the button below the knob. A value of 100% call for the
maximum spread available. Select between the left and right signal with the buttons on
either side of the knob.

[Jason.M.Watts]

Ok, more specifically I need to know what the purpose of these controls are for SO, and SV. I'm not using MOR, and I imagine there's a good amount of that manual info that doesn't apply to SO, or SV.

For instance, I don't think the left and right channels of SO are processed through completely different hardware, though I could be wrong.

In what instance would you want the left channel of a section of trumpets to be doubled into the right channel, or vice versa?

I just don't understand what benefits there are with these orchestral instruments, or if this method is employed in real orchestral recordings, whether film scores, concert performances, or in pop music.

Jason Watts