What it changes in the music
Level differences, timing differences and spectral differences between channels can influence where a sound appears. A stable center can coexist with moving edges. Width is useful when it supports the musical hierarchy, but the widest version may change substantially in mono or on another listening setup. Check what remains important when the presentation becomes narrower.
A small experiment
Listen to a centered lead with a quiet alternating delay. Compare its stable source position with the moving echoes around it, then check a mono sum.
Keep this distinction clear
Stereo width is not the same as depth. A sound can spread left to right while still feeling close, or sit near the center while seeming distant.
Related sound terms
Technical background
- MDN: DelayNode — Delay time and audio signal routing.
- Ableton Live manual: mixing — Send/return routing and feedback.
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