NEW HERE MONO VS. STEREO CABLES FOR instruments/mics etc.

[Blue_Eagle_Rise]

Hey guys, please explain to me what you use MONO CABLES VS. STEREO CABLES FOR...

Do you use stereo cables for mixers/mixing bus pathways?

Do you use mono cables ALWAYS for mics on instruments (guitar, drums)

Please explain to me when you use what for what perpose.



I have a Yamaha AW16G 8-input 16 track recorder & 7 mics (D6, D1 x 2, sm57, C-1000 x 2, ATM 63)

I'd also like to know if its a great idea to bus all your drum tracks (7-8) to a stereo pair after you record them AND how you pan the tracks (single & stereo bus) & all that jazz.

And also....is an ART/presonus tube pre-amp worth buying for use on my YAMAHA AW16G with pre-amps??? I figure having at least 1 cheaper tube pre-amp will give me a much better sound.


& finally I want to get a good mixer to use with my recorder so I can record 14 mics at once for the drums.

Advice please!!!!!


Thanks everyone!

[Massive Master]

They're not mono and stereo - They're balanced and unbalanced.

[Blue_Eagle_Rise]

Well I was on ebay or an online store or something, they had mono instrument cables & stereo instrument cables & a few other types...

[Massive Master]

Understandable - Balanced cables (like XLR mic/line cables or 1/4" TRS cables) can be used to route a stereo (two mono) signals. But in the context of general use in recording, they simply carry a single, balanced signal.