Wider
Key Features
- Mono-compatible stereo widening using a proprietary all-pass and comb filter algorithm that cancels cleanly when summed to mono
- Single-knob width control from 0% to 200% for quick, intuitive stereo adjustments during mixing
- Low-frequency bypass filter (v2.0) to exclude bass from the widening effect and maintain a tight low end
- Built-in mono check button for instant phase compatibility verification without leaving the plugin
- Derived from the stereo engine in Polyverse Manipulator, co-developed with electronic duo Infected Mushroom
- Resizable GUI with adjustable magnification scaling for high-resolution displays
Description
Wider by Polyverse Music and Infected Mushroom is a mono-compatible stereo widening plugin that expands any mono signal into a convincing stereo image without introducing phase problems. Built around a specialized array of all-pass and comb filters, it creates width that collapses cleanly back to mono when summed, leaving the original signal fully intact.
Version 2.0 introduced a low-frequency bypass filter that excludes bass from the widening effect, keeping the low end solid and centered while the mids and highs spread outward. A dedicated mono button sums the output to mono on the fly so you can instantly verify phase coherence.
The single-knob interface controls stereo width from 0% to 200%, where 100% represents full stereo and anything above pushes into exaggerated super-wide territory. This simplicity is a deliberate design choice that makes Wider fast to dial in during mixing sessions.
Professional engineers and bedroom producers alike consider Wider a staple utility plugin. Users consistently praise its ability to add convincing width without the muddiness or flanging artifacts common in other stereo wideners, especially when used at moderate settings on individual tracks rather than across an entire mix.
Wider supports VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats on Windows 64-bit and macOS 10.12+ 64-bit. An iOS version (v1.0) remains available for iPhone and iPad.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Wider maintain mono compatibility when widening a signal?
Wider uses a specialized combination of all-pass and comb filters that create the perception of stereo width through psychoacoustic processing rather than simple panning tricks. When the widened signal is summed to mono, Wider's effect cancels itself out completely, leaving the original dry signal untouched with no phase artifacts.
What changed in Wider 2.0 compared to the original version?
Version 2.0 added a high-pass/low-bypass filter to exclude bass frequencies from the stereo widening effect, a mono button for checking phase compatibility, GUI scaling options, and various stability improvements. It is fully backwards compatible with projects that used version 1.x.
Does Wider work well on stereo sources or only mono signals?
Wider is primarily designed as a mono-to-stereo effect and delivers its best results on mono sources. It can process stereo signals if the two sides are relatively similar, but pushing it hard on already-wide stereo material can introduce comb-filtering artifacts. For stereo sources, subtle settings below 50% tend to produce the most natural results.
Can Wider be used on a master bus or full mix?
Wider works best on individual tracks rather than across a full mix. At higher settings on complex stereo material, the comb-filtering algorithm can become noticeable and reduce the solidity of the center image. Most users recommend applying it to individual mono elements like vocals, guitars, or synth leads where it excels.
