when considering the legendary guitar tones that define rock music, consumer-grade equipment rarely comes to mind. Though, a compact yet powerful device known as The WOW Thing from SRS has revolutionized this notion, demonstrating that remarkable guitar sounds can emerge from the moast unexpected sources.
This article explores the fascinating journey of how a quirky, low-fidelity spatial effects processor designed for everyday audio transformed into a vital tool in the studio: ”the little plastic box that amplifies guitar greatness.”
the Origins of SRS Labs
SRS Labs, originally known as Sound Retrieval Systems, was established in the early 1980s as a psychoacoustic research division of Hughes Aircraft. Their goal was to create a realistic three-dimensional sound experience from standard stereo audio.
In the 1990s, SRS Labs was acquired and rebranded, launching several consumer products, including a remarkable little device called the WOW Thing.This unassuming desktop unit was designed to enhance the sound quality of budget computer speakers, making them feel fuller and more immersive.
While professionals in the audio industry might have overlooked it, a mix engineer working on what would become a monumental rock album stumbled upon its capabilities, leading to a revelation that would change the sound of music.
The Sonic Magic of WOW Thing
The WOW Thing employs a unique combination of extreme equalization, psychoacoustic processing, and phase delays, which significantly expands the stereo sound field and enhances low frequencies.
It incorporates three proprietary technologies: SRS 3D, which broadens the stereo image; Focus, which elevates sound vertically; and TruBass, designed to make small speaker drivers produce a rich, deep bass response through psychoacoustic enhancement.
Its equalization techniques mirror those commonly used in mixing guitars-boosting low-end frequencies, scooping out low midrange, and subtly enhancing high-end presence.While such processing is commonplace today with digital plugins, it was groundbreaking in the early ’90s.
A Fortuitous Discovery
“Wider, brighter, and absolutely huge.” This is how renowned engineer Randy Staub (known for his work with Metallica,Mötley Crüe,and U2) described the WOW Thing’s impact on guitar sounds. He first encountered the software version while enjoying music on his home computer and quickly realized its potential for transforming distorted guitars, providing thicker bass, a lift in high frequencies, and a gentle scoop in the low midrange that allowed them to shine in dense mixes.
At the time, Staub was mixing Metallica’s self-titled album, commonly referred to as the black Album, and was on the lookout for ways to enhance the guitar sound. The WOW Thing turned out to be the sonic secret he had been searching for.
In an interview with Ultimate Guitar,he stated,”I started using the WOW Thing on guitars to spread them out in the stereo image,and I’ve relied on it for years.”
Innovative Mixing Techniques
Staub adjusted the device to amplify the low end, enhance high frequencies, and reduce some midrange frequencies.This approach made the rhythm guitars feel more significant and helped separate them from the vocals and snare, which often occupy similar frequency ranges.
The WOW Thing provided a unique method to create a larger-than-life sound for doubled guitars, moving beyond customary EQ and compression techniques that typically define track layers.
Since it was designed for stereo processing, Staub applied it to stereo guitar busses and pairs of panned guitar tracks, resulting in a thick, defined sound that remains a benchmark even 35 years later.
Korneff Audio’s Plugin Revolution
Eventually, recording engineer Dan Korneff (who has worked with artists like Breaking benjamin and my Chemical Romance) discovered the WOW Thing and began incorporating it into his mixes. Inspired by its capabilities, he decided to develop a plugin version. “This happy accident redefined what we believed was achievable with electric guitars,” he remarked.”You can instantly hear the guitars becoming wider and deeper.”
As the WOW Thing gained popularity, original units became harder to find. In 2019, Korneff audio was established, creating a plugin that closely emulates the original hardware’s sound and interface while expanding its functionality.
This plugin features selectable frequency centers for the TrueBass control (ranging from 40Hz to 400Hz) and offers two types of spatial processing to replicate the desktop and Megawide rackmount versions. Additionally, it includes a Blend control for parallel processing and a switch that sets the low end to mono for a broader stereo affect.
The TrueBass control enhances low-end depth, making it versatile for downtuned and extended-range guitar tracks, and it performs excellently on guitar busses as well.A TrueBass Dynamics switch adds a four-band frequency-dependent compressor for improved low-end control.
Korneff explained his motivation for creating the plugin: “I wanted my guitars to sound as massive as Randy Staub’s. This plugin achieves that and more-it feels like the guitars are giving you a bear hug.”
The legacy of Happy Accidents
The world of recording has always celebrated innovative thinking and fresh approaches to established techniques. It’s remarkable that a consumer audio device originally priced at just $20 evolved into a secret sonic weapon featured on iconic rock albums.
The influence of the WOW Thing on professional mixing underscores the idea that the effectiveness of production tools lies not in the tools themselves, but in how they are utilized.
