StageOne 2

Name: StageOne 2
Price: 249 USD
Author: Leapwing Audio

by Leapwing Audio · Imaging · Multiband width and depth processor

vst3s Score 9.3/10 · rated #2 of 10 stereo & imaging

A stereo imaging processor with five algorithms (Width, Depth, Mono Spread, Centre Gravity and Phase Recovery), each set separately in three frequency bands.

It is used to widen stereo mixes and stems, add a sense of front-to-back depth, turn mono recordings into stereo, and fix out-of-phase material, while keeping the result mono-compatible.

Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Acoustic Instruments, Keys & Synths, Drum Bus. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: wide, spacious, mono-compatible, multi-band, bus processing, full mix, mastering, mix bus, drums, choir, transparent, drum bus, metering, mixing, mono, orchestra, visual feedback.

What it does

StageOne 2 is Leapwing's stereo field processor. It aims to widen, deepen or create a stereo image without the phase problems that simple wideners cause.

Five algorithms: Width (lifts off-centre content without touching the phantom centre), Depth (directionally optimised reflections for front-to-back space), Mono Spread (stereo from mono sources), Centre Gravity (steers the centre left or right) and Phase Recovery (new in version 2; realigns out-of-phase components).
Three bands: each control can be set separately for low, mid and high bands, with adjustable crossovers.
Visualiser: shows level, frequency and perceived width, with out-of-phase material drawn at the edges of the display.
Mono-compatible: the processing is designed to sum to mono without phase issues.

It runs at up to 384 kHz; owners of the first StageOne can upgrade.

Source: Leapwing Audio product page

When to use it

StageOne 2 is the most complete stereo tool among the rated imagers. Ozone Imager and S1 widen and narrow; StageOne 2 also adds depth, builds stereo from mono (like bx_stereomaker or PS22) and repairs phase problems, all per band.

Best for: mastering and mix-bus width, stereo drums, reverb returns, choirs and orchestral stems, and making mono recordings feel wider and further back.
Genres: all; it is transparent enough for acoustic, classical and film work and wide enough for pop and electronic masters.
Look elsewhere if: you only need a quick width knob (Ozone Imager or Wider are free) or want character and colour rather than transparency (SSL Fusion Stereo Image, SPL BiG).

What producers say

Reviews praise the sound and flexibility, with a few interface complaints.

MusicRadar called it a Swiss Army knife of stereo manipulation with high-quality, transparent algorithms, but missed band solo, a correlation meter and a mono check button.
Mix (real-world review) found uses beyond mastering on drums, reverb returns, guitars and choirs; crossovers have to be typed in and the blue-on-blue buttons are hard to read.
Audio Sorcerer named it the best-sounding imager in its roundup, noting it kept the high end intact when pushed hard.
KERN Audio described it as the most feature-complete stereo imaging tool available, singling out the Depth control.

Where to buy

Leapwing Audio: $249 (Price as listed by KVR and in 2023 reviews; the developer's page shows it at checkout. Upgrade from StageOne: $50.)
Plugin Boutique: $249
PluginFox: $249
AudioDeluxe: $249

Tutorials and reviews

Introducing StageOne 2 (Leapwing)
Leapwing Audio - StageOne 2 Demo (felice music labs)
StageOne 2 - Review (Multiband Stereo Image Shaper) (Integraudio)
One Plugin for ULTRA WIDE Mixes /// Leapwing STAGEONE
5-Min Leapwing Tips: How to spice up the mix with StageOne

Similar plugins

Precision K-Stereo Ambience Recovery by Universal Audio · Stereo ambience enhancer · $99
STEREOVAULT by Mastering The Mix · Multiband stereo imager · $78
Quad Image by IK Multimedia · Multiband stereo imager · $79.99
EXPANSE by Echelon Audio · Multiband stereo imager · $99
Spread by Swivel Audio · Multiband stereo imager · $29
MStereoProcessor by MeldaProduction · Four-band stereo processor · $79
DeeMultiWider by Dotec-Audio · Five-band stereo imager · $50
StereooeretS by DDMF · Three-band stereo widener · $39
Dynawide by W.A. Production · Multiband stereo widener · $59.90
Center by Waves · Mid/side center processor · $32.91

All stereo & imaging