Polarity Flip as Net Positive?

[winky dinglehoffer]

So I was recording vox with 2 mics--one going through a preamp to the DAW, the other into a spring reverb. Once recorded, I noticed that panning the reverbed track out of the center caused a radical change in the vocal sound. Closer inspection revealed that the reverb device had flipped the polarity of the signal, resulting in a far less present, somewhat washed out sound.
But for this track, that is what I want. Reversing polarity made everything big and forward and not at all suited to the mood of the track.

So my question is this: are there any hazards to using tracks with flipped polarity for effect? Is there potential for it to sound radically different in certain playback situations or anything like that? My instinctive guess is no, but I thought I'd ask more experienced hands.

[Scodiddly]

If it sounds good, it is good. With the caveat that you want to check it in mono just to be safe.

And thank you for saying "polarity" instead of "phase".

[drumsound]

If it sounds good, it is good. With the caveat that you want to check it in mono just to be safe.

This

And thank you for saying "polarity" instead of "phase".

YES!

[A.David.MacKinnon]

Yes to both above notes. An extra big yes to checking it in mono.
I’ve been working on an ambient project for the last little while and have been using some stereo widening plugs on some of the effect returns. Most wideners involve some kind of polarity/phase manipulation to create the effect. In stereo it sounds fantastic. In mono some of the widened effects disappear. I’ve had to be very conscious of what happens to the effects in mono and make sure that the character of the mix isn’t greatly affected.

Beyond that, I have been told that on vinyl certain phase/polarity issues can cause the needle to jump. I would expect you’d need a high energy element like bass or kick for that to be an issue. I’m sure some of the mastering experts could chime in with the real goods.

[winky dinglehoffer]

Thanks for the input. I'll definitely check in mono. It won't be on vinyl, so no worries there.

[Recycled_Brains]

Tchad Blake is always talking about, and demonstrating in his videos on MWtM how he flips polarity on things all the time, and just decides which setting he thinks sounds best. I've seen Albini do that too.

I think the point is, don't overthink it if it sounds good.

[MoreSpaceEcho]

My fave flipped polarity moment of all time is the synth at the end of this jam. 99.8% gone in mono.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpsvBvwRuf0

[Burnt Ernie]

Fun with Polarity/comb filtering/phase cancellation! Yes! Cool thing I stole from Beinhorn/Chris Shaw. Loud JCM 800 100 watt with a Telecaster. 4 mic's close mic'd and blended (Through a BBE 822?) A 414 between 6-12 feet out,polarity flipped. Had me move the mic closer /farther until the very thin telecaster tone and the very loud Marshall finds a resonant frequency that "Honks". Kinda like the cocked wah-wah Thin Lizzy thing. It sounds stupid,but it roars. Power Station,1992. No lie. Still use this all the time with thin sounding guitars while tracking. Try it . what can you lose?