Basic Tracking Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Toonsmith
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Toonsmith

Toonsmith

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This is my first post so I hope I don't screw up or ask to dumb a question. I play only solo acoustic guitar peices and I'm wondering if it's better to record on one track in stereo with my mics panned hard left and right or should i use two tracks mono with the same mic pans?
I've tried it both ways in my logic software and they both sound good to me. The reason i ask is it's alot easier to make edits using one stereo track.
If it's a really stupid question, sorry. I'm just a lot better musician than I am with this computer stuff!

Thanks!
 
It's really the same thing...

The only reason to use two individual tracks is if you'd like to add a slightly different amount (or type) of reverb to one side, or a little chorus on one side and not the other.

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com
 
I disagree. Individual tracks offer you complete freedom in adjusting the pan, EQ, volume, effects levels, effects types, and so on, while a single stereo track offers you none of that flexibility.

A stereo track is just a convenience for taking something that'a arelady mixed into a single track. It takes up slightly less real estate on your DW window. But you can only manipultate the L and R together sides together as a whole. And have you ever tried to pan a stereo track to change its apparent position in the stereo image? Good luck with that.

To me the only reason to use a stereo track is that the track is pre-mixed and you already know for an absolute fact that you are not going to do anything with it in the mix other than maybe overall volume, compression, and EQ tweaks, and there will be no chance that in two weeks you won't be wanting to spread the two parts out a bit more. Or, you are trying to record the actual honest stereo experience of hearing music played in a particular space and are using sophisticated stereo micing techniques.
 
Actually, we DO agree. I was just letting him know that if he's perfectly happy with the sound on a stereo track, the sound and sound quality is essentially the same as two non-interleaved files.

Other than that, yes, it's tremendously more flexible if the tracks are independent.

JS
 
Well, I'm glad we all agree now. Record to two tracks. It gives you a much greater degree of flexibility in editing.-Richie
 
Thanks for all the input. I understand and comply.

Thanks!
 
And like you first mentioned, just be careful when draging the pair around.
 
I hate those damn stereo channels.I feel like I'm getting robbed of a channel.
 
We should push for push for more panning options on stereo.
 
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