So here you are:
A - BX control
B - Algorithmix K-Stereo
C - PSP Stereo Controler
D - Samplitude stereo enhancer
In the meantime when playing K-Stereo, I found that 0 dB setting (or even less) is in most cases just the right amount of processing and above that, it can be sometimes already too much (in the beginning I thought that 0 dB means no effect and below it the effect is even reverse, which is obviously not so.) As one of the Murphy laws say - when all the attempts fail, read the manual :-))) There it is indeed mentioned that 0dB setting represents the average amount of the process which usually suits most materials.
In the above samples I used + 1dB. If 0dB used, the result would probably sound more natural, I think. Another thing is that you donīt have to engage both controls (wide/deep), sometimes just one of them may work ideal in certain cases. Sometimes also settings below 0dB give yet more subtle enhancement ... which may be suitable for a given material.
I really like K-Stereo (and I obviously played with it a lot more than the few fixed examples above show). It gives very subtle, almost "ethereal" kind of enhancement that is not immediately obvious (and does not change the original structure of the sound), but when switching off, you notice that something is missing ... So far I have not played with the ambience EQ section, which can still shape and adjust the right type of ambience
As you could see above, most of those who listened to the samples immediately recognised that B sounds special, different than the others. Yes, it is true, although in a real situation, I would probably use it in slightly less amount ...
I too clearly prefered K-stereo treatment over all the other processors ... The mentioned occassional tiny artifacts (touch of sibilance or mid pushing )can be easily controled by the amount and type of process)
Let us see how Sonalksis Stereo Tools would treat these samples. Lagerfeld promised to post them here on Monday.
I personally always like when the music has some nice space or invisible very decent "aura" around. Hence I am interested in this kind of subtle stereo tools
BTW K-Stereo plugin brings exactly the same type of processes and algorithms as included in these HW boxes:
It would be interesting to try also Portico Stereo Field Enhancer and SPL Vitaliser for a similar effect. But I donīt have access to these boxes right now. Although the comfort of a plugin is quite an advantage.
Still pondering about the best place of K-Stereo plugin in the ITB "fine tuning" mastering chain (after the analogue treatment).