Is "mono" a bad word?

  • Thread starter Thread starter nate_dennis
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Mono kick & snare augmented by the OHs which create a stereo field reinforced by the monos in the centre.
Mono is cool - it suits many thing. Mono can give depth, yes but it doesn't give an aural representation of a soundfield that we automatically listen for & feel comfy with.
It just sounds right to hear the ride and crash coming from off centre when the music is rock.
Dance and experimental stuff play around with the stereo image for effect. The Beatles had the music on one side and the vox on the other - go listen to one of their original stereo mixes - we accepted it in the day but we've been tuned into a stereo field. Not everyone can be Brian.
I'm so conditioned that I determine whether my stereo is set up correctly by the image a rock kit gives me - conventional aren't I?
Binuarul - great fun listening to a good recording (must be h'phoes to get the ultimate result) of a good recording if you get my drift - otherwise it's a stereo test record gone whacky.
 
Dude just figure out what sounds good.

Dont even start thinking in terms of rock, or modern "standards", thats exactly why every freaking record sounds the same these days. Even today I hear a lot of recordings with the drums all in a mono track, sometimes panned center sometimes to the side.

John Frusciante records are an example of this. A lot of his curtains album was recorded like this (of course dont listen to it on youtube because itll just be a mono mix). But the point is that the songs in this record have as much "space" as I can think of, so you definately dont NEED stereo drums to create space.

In short, mono drums still have their place in music. and its a very important one in my opinion. And I know people don't like this example but i freaking love the sound of old beatles records with the drums in mono.

Conlusion: no one way is inherently better than the other. Music is so subjective that anybody who tells you that, doesnt have a leg to stand on. If your drums sound great in mono, I dont see a reason to change that.
 
Did you listen to Green Magic?
It's worth it as an illustration of what you can do with mono drums - it also helps that the song is terrific too.
I recorded mono drums when I was just 4 tracking - it can work - particularly when the ears listening are preconditioned (anyone born away from rock music or after '87).
 
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