Does Left/Right RMS levels need to match?

[HangDawg]

So how much difference in level can there be before there would be problems? I did a live show and there is clearly a difference. But if I adjust the balance, it seems to lose some of it's imaging.

 

[masteringhouse]

So how much difference in level can there be before there would be problems? I did a live show and there is clearly a difference. But if I adjust the balance, it seems to lose some of it's imaging.

How are you adjusting the balance? If you're panning one side over to the other to make up for the gain, that's probably not good for imaging reasons. If you can lower the volume of one side individually I would take that route. In doing that, if you start to hear instruments that were centrered in the live show move to either side, you're most likely better off leaving things alone, and seems to indicate that this is the way it sounded in the live situation.

Maybe that guitar player to the right was cranking it up too much again!

 

[HangDawg]

It sounds pretty good actually but it's about 2db louder in the right channel is all. Do you think I should even bother?

 

[Massive Master]

Think of it this way - It'll sound better in the driver's seat, right?

Seriously, if you're liking it, leave it. If not, fix it up a bit. This is one of those rare occasions that headphones may be of help also...

 

[masteringhouse]

It sounds pretty good actually but it's about 2db louder in the right channel is all. Do you think I should even bother?

Can you give a reason why one side is louder than the other? If it was an error in setting the levels properly, then I would fix it, if it's because one side of the stage was louder than the other then leave it alone otherwise the stereo field will shift.

When recording in stereo it's always a good idea to set up the levels with a reference tone so that you know they are equal. You also want to space the mics so that they are equidistant from the source, not only for level reasons, but also for proper phase. This is also the reason many used a matched pair of mics for stereo recording, so that the characteristics of the mics are as close as possible.

BTW are you really see a 2 Db RMS difference or is it peak level? I would be less concerned with peak, 2 Db RMS is significant.

 

[HangDawg]

Can you give a reason why one side is louder than the other? If it was an error in setting the levels properly, then I would fix it, if it's because one side of the stage was louder than the other then leave it alone otherwise the stereo field will shift.

When recording in stereo it's always a good idea to set up the levels with a reference tone so that you know they are equal. You also want to space the mics so that they are equidistant from the source, not only for level reasons, but also for proper phase. This is also the reason many used a matched pair of mics for stereo recording, so that the characteristics of the mics are as close as possible.

BTW are you really see a 2 Db RMS difference or is it peak level? I would be less concerned with peak, 2 Db RMS is significant.

Keep in mind that this was in a nightclub with 2 rock bands and I've never done this before.

It was louder because it was set up for the 2nd band which has 2 guitar players ( 1 on either side) . So when the first band played (1 guitar) it was louder on the right. This is truly how it sounded though.

And yes, it's 2db RMS.

 

[masteringhouse]

Keep in mind that this was in a nightclub with 2 rock bands and I've never done this before.

It was louder because it was set up for the 2nd band which has 2 guitar players ( 1 on either side) . So when the first band played (1 guitar) it was louder on the right. This is truly how it sounded though.

And yes, it's 2db RMS.

Stay with the truth then.

I usually don't do this, but you may want to try unlinking a stereo compressor over the mix to help even them out a bit. The bad thing about doing this is that the center may shift slightly. If the release time is on the longer side it may not be as noticable though.

Let me know how this works for you.

 

[HangDawg]

Stay with the truth then.

I usually don't do this, but you may want to try unlinking a stereo compressor over the mix to help even them out a bit. The bad thing about doing this is that the center may shift slightly. If the release time is on the longer side it may not be as noticable though.

Let me know how this works for you.

Thanks, I'll give that a try.