Ella Fitzgerald “A-Tisket A-Tasket“ DES stereo “Ride ’Em Cowboy“ 1942

Thanks to Bob Zwolinski for the audio track! Software can now create new, authentic stereo mixes from original mono recordings, using a technique called DES (Digitally Extracted Stereo). Because most instruments and vocals often occupy fairly narrow, specific audio frequency ranges, it’s possible to isolate guitars, drums, bass, strings, etc., extract them into separate tracks, and then remix into stereo. A well-done DES stereo mix will be indistinguishable from an original multi-track stereo mix. The actual DES process is much more complex than it sounds in this simple explanation, principally because the sounds of most instruments overlap with others. It requires an experienced sound engineer devoting substantial amounts of time and patience.