How do I create space and distance?

[lmv]

How do I create the feeling of space and distance in a track or instrument? I have this free plugin called space360 that does a very good job in terms of space and distance, but it introduces a lot of distortion, almost like a guitar amp would. What can I use to achieve that effect but with a clean sound?

[BertKoor]

Reverb usually does the trick

[lmv]

Reverb usually does the trick

Not really. The space360 plugin can really make it sound like something is playing behind you or a few feet ahead. Reverb alone can't do that.

[Unaspected]

I wouldn't expect such an effect to introduce distortion. Maybe it has an internal limit and requires gain staging into it.

High frequencies roll off with distance; a standard low pass filter will do though it won't be quite the same as air absorption. Tokyo Dawn Labs have a free plugin called Proximity, which should perform this task more adequately.

However, it will not help with placing sounds behind the head.

I use dearVR PRO for such duties. Though I find this effect works best when in motion - Not necessarily constant movement but some kind of A to B reference.

[CHOOS]

https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Panagement.html

This can work in a similar way to space360

[dark water]

https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Panagement.html

This can work in a similar way to space360

Looks like a nice one (and I like the binaural delay effect, as per the clip on the developer's webpage).


In addition to the Proximity and DearVR (Pro) suggestions above, which are both excellent plugins that I use regularly, I'm not sure if this type of space / distance effect is what the OP is aiming for but:

https://www.waves.com/plugins/brauer-motion

Waves Brauer Motion is well worth checking out anyway for people who like to move sounds around in curious ways!
It's almost always available on a Waves 'sale' (!) for about £30-£40.

I'm sure that Melda must have a half-decent one also?

Lastly, whatever effect plugin is used (and you can, of course, always combine a couple of them, or use a reverb to heighten the effect of such a plugin), always watch out for potential phasing issues and volume 'jump' issues when panning across the stereo field.

[CHOOS]

Seen that Brauer one a while ago. Looks pretty cool! Haven't tried it though.

I knew I forgot another one that I have used previously. AMBEO from Sennheiser (but I see that dearVR is made by the same team).

I think in terns of simplicity and CPU Panagement is the closest to Space360 but definitely try both as they're free and combining might give awesome results.

I got Natasha by AudioFB - Binaural Plugin a while back for free (promo) and used a combo of it and Panagement on a mostly acoustic song and it really helped for what I wanted. And AMBEO on another track and loved the outcome.

[Bulbizarre]

How I do it is:
First, volume (lower is far). Filter (make your sound look like it's going down slope on a graphic analyzer. try both gentle and hard slopes). Then reverb (more = far). Then you can compress a bit. And finally, you can also roll off the bass in the side channel with a mid/side EQ (depends on your taste, I don't like it personally), this will accentuate the "airy" aspect of the sides, and on pads for instance, you can give a super-wide kind of feel.

[Propellerhands]

https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Panagement.html

This can work in a similar way to space360

this is some awesome little effect! Thank you dude. But is it worth 40 dollars? I do not think so and it's quite sad, do not know if I want to put 40 dollars for some random FX while valhalla offers much better effects for the similar price. Will have to sleep on it to decide.

But free version really caught my interest and I like supporting developers, don't get me wrong. But some of them fell from a moon asking for such prices. It is akin to a rookie musician who just released his album on bandcamp and asking for 9.99 for a digital download.

/end of rant.

[CHOOS]

There's a free version and a paid one.
Free is good enough.
If you want more bells n whistles then give them a few bucks.