Enhancer block

Available on which products

• Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
• FM3: 2 blocks
• FM9: 2 blocks
• Axe-Fx II: 1 block
• FX8: 1 block
• AX8: 1 block

Channels or X/Y

• Axe-Fx III and FM9 and FM3: 2 channels
• Axe-Fx II: no
• FX8: no
• AX8: no

About Fractal Audio's Stereo Enhancer

The Stereo Enhancer increases stereo imaging. It's not a double-tracking tool.

More information about stereo enhancement and double-tracking:

• Live double tracking
• Out of phase stereo
• Classic stereo widening

Input and output: mono or stereo

While a stereo INPUT signal works best with the Enhancer, the Enhancer can also "stereoize" a mono input signal.

Regarding the OUTPUT: using the Enhancer makes sense only when the output is stereo. Also, don't use it if you only use one channel (left or right) of a stereo output signal.

Read this: Mono/stereo.

Enhancer types

Modern – Uses multi-band techniques for a natural effect. It widens stereo signals and “stereoizes” mono signals. Low Cut and High Cut parameters allow control over the region of influence. The effect is mono-compatible: there are no phasing problems when summing to mono.

"The algorithm is such that when Width is zero there is significant cancellation in the right channel that will cause a shift in the balance."

Classic – Uses old Haas effect delay-based processing. The right channel is delayed by a very small amount to increase the apparent stereo separation between the left and right channels. Try a setting of 35% = 7ms.

"Classic enhancer mode is just a delay on one side (adjustable from 0 to 20 ms) plus pan & phase adjustment. The non-delayed side will tend to seem louder, just like if you used a delay block to get the same delay time." [1]

Stereoizer – While the Classic and Modern types rely on micro-delays and inversions to create artificial stereo, the Stereoizer type uses multiple high-order filters to create a realistic stereo image. The effect is mono-compatible: there are no phasing problems when summing to mono. Don't use this type if just using one side (left or right) of a stereo output, because phasing effects may be encountered.

"An allpass filter is a crude approach and will create comb filtering when collapsing to mono. The Stereoizer is expressly designed to prevent this." [2]

(Matt from Fractal Audio) "The stereoizer rocks! Try this approach:

1. Set Width to 100%.
2. Set Depth to 0%.
3. Gradually increase Depth.
4. When you find a setting you think you like, set width to taste."

Forum discussion about the Enhancer types

Enhancer block position on the grid

Put the Enhancer block at the end of the chain, before the Output section.

Tips, tricks and troublehooting

Factory presets

The Stereo Enhancer block is present in some factory presets. Search the Factory presets wiki page for "enhancer".

Create a global Enhancer effect

To create a global Enhancer, add the Enhancer block to selected presets and assign Bypass to an External controller. Now use the Initial Value parameter for that external controller in the [MIDI/Remote menu]] to engage or bypass the block in all those presets.

Avoid phase cancellation

When summing a stereo signal to mono, the Enhancer in Classic mode can cause phase cancellation. Use the Modern or Stereoizer mode instead which are mono-compatible to prevent this.

"Never put the enhancer in parallel or you'll get phasing problems. That's why there is no bypass mode because it should always be in series." [3]

"The Modern Enhancer will survive collapsing to mono but any enhancer should be used judiciously, especially for recordings." [4]

Read this: Mono/stereo.

Widening the Panner

Make the Panner effect (Tremolo/Panner block) appear fuller and wider, by adding the Enhancer.

Alternative: Delay block

"Another way would be to use the Delay block. Set the Mix to 100%, dial in the desired amount of delay and set Balance to full right." [5]

Alternative: Pitch block

Use the Pitch block with modifiers, as demonstrated in the "Petrucci Rig" factory preset.