Mono to Stereo

[guitardude]

Hi there everyone. I just started using Cubase SX2.2. I'm using the 24 audio track recorder. The first channel is stereo, and then the rest of them are mono. Now how can I change that to a stereo track?? So mono to stereo....like channel 2 is mono..I looked around the site couldnt really understand or figure it out for that matter. Please help me!

Thanks!

 

[fuzzrhythm]

I've used Cubase VST 5.0/32 and Cubase LE, I'll give it a shot.

there should be a little circle icon in a group of icons (where the EQ, send and insert effect icons are, below where it says "Audio 3" or whatever channel you're working with). click it, and it should light up and turn into 2 circles indicating a stereo track.

also, you said you were trying to turn channel 2 into a stereo track. it should already be married to channel 1....i.e. the first stereo track in channel 1 & 2 COMBINED. so try what I suggested on channel 3, and it should marry the channel to channel 4...so you have 24 mono tracks, or 12 stereo tracks in your given setup.

try it and let me know how it works.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

In SX versions - you can no longer change stereo tracks to mono and vice-versa, you just create a new track. When you do, a dialog pops up asking whether you want it stereo, mono, or surround.

If you already have content in the other track you're transferring from, then simply move it over (<CTRL> and mouse-drag)...

Not as easy as it used to be in the VST versions, but I suspect because they've changed the entire audio engine/input-output routing, there's now a significance to the way a track is created that can't be changed by a simple toggle....

 

[Halion]

On side note: you can put mono audio into a stereo track and visa versa. The outcome will always be what the track is set to (so I can import a stereo file into a mono track and it will not give me an error, just play it mono. Handy if your not sure what your gonna put in the track [like samples]).

 

[guitardude]

Cool thanks.

So as in the preference of stereo or mono.....when I save that track the dialog will pop up and ask me if I want to save it as mono or stereo??

I just want the mixdown or the tracks that will bounce into one track to be all stereo. Cuz it sounds better hahaha!~

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I just want the mixdown or the tracks that will bounce into one track to be all stereo. Cuz it sounds better hahaha!~

????????

 

[guitardude]

haha I'm sorry I just want it to be all in stereo....in simple terms I guess

'm lost too hahaha.

 

[scrubs]

haha I'm sorry I just want it to be all in stereo....in simple terms I guess

'm lost too hahaha.

guitardude, I may be clueless here, but I think you are confusing stereo tracking with stereo mixing. The vast majority of tracking is/should be done in mono. That is, the information on a given track is from a single source/microphone. Then, at mixdown, the various elements are panned in the stereo field and stereo effects are applied.

Essentially all vocals and most instruments are recorded this way (in mono). The exceptions would be stereo recordings of acoustic instruments (guitar, piano) or choral groups with 2 microphones, keyboards, or if certain stereo effects are applied during tracking. Recording mono sources (one mic) in stereo is a waste of hard drive space and won't make your recordings sound any better.

So, in summary: track in mono (with a few exceptions), mix in stereo.

 

[guitardude]

guitardude, I may be clueless here, but I think you are confusing stereo tracking with stereo mixing. The vast majority of tracking is/should be done in mono. That is, the information on a given track is from a single source/microphone. Then, at mixdown, the various elements are panned in the stereo field and stereo effects are applied.

Essentially all vocals and most instruments are recorded this way (in mono). The exceptions would be stereo recordings of acoustic instruments (guitar, piano) or choral groups with 2 microphones, keyboards, or if certain stereo effects are applied during tracking. Recording mono sources (one mic) in stereo is a waste of hard drive space and won't make your recordings sound any better.

So, in summary: track in mono (with a few exceptions), mix in stereo.

You know you what? I think your right i"M confused. I think you clarified a great deal to me thanks Scrubs!

I did find if you go the window to left of the track rightclick on the mouse you can add a track....stereo is in there .

 

[MadAudio]

Good post, scrubs. I think a lot of people get confused on this issue.

 

[fasterthanu]

In SX versions - you can no longer change stereo tracks to mono and vice-versa, you just create a new track. When you do, a dialog pops up asking whether you want it stereo, mono

Not sure if i misinterpreted this but what about the stereo/mono button on each individual track that changes it to mono or stereo?

 

[Halion]

That button does not exist in Cubase SX anymore, only in VST versions.

 

[guitardude]

That button does not exist in Cubase SX anymore, only in VST versions.

I asked my friend about this he is an engineer as well. On the actual track to the left the little window with the Record, Solo, and Mute buttons if you right click on your mouse click add track and then you can chooose for stereo for SX 2.2.

 

[guitardude]

guitardude, I may be clueless here, but I think you are confusing stereo tracking with stereo mixing. The vast majority of tracking is/should be done in mono. That is, the information on a given track is from a single source/microphone. Then, at mixdown, the various elements are panned in the stereo field and stereo effects are applied.

Essentially all vocals and most instruments are recorded this way (in mono). The exceptions would be stereo recordings of acoustic instruments (guitar, piano) or choral groups with 2 microphones, keyboards, or if certain stereo effects are applied during tracking. Recording mono sources (one mic) in stereo is a waste of hard drive space and won't make your recordings sound any better.

So, in summary: track in mono (with a few exceptions), mix in stereo.

So Scrubs how do you really go about mixing in stereo just looking at the options? Or there are certain specifics/guidelines one should look at?

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

I asked my friend about this he is an engineer as well. On the actual track to the left the little window with the Record, Solo, and Mute buttons if you right click on your mouse click add track and then you can chooose for stereo for SX 2.2.

YEs - you choose it when you add a new audio track.

But in versions prior to SX, you can change the designation of an existing track anytime (not just on creation)....

 

[scrubs]

So Scrubs how do you really go about mixing in stereo just looking at the options? Or there are certain specifics/guidelines one should look at?

Mixing 101 - by Blue Bear - read it!

Also, check out: Project Studio Handbook

There are no hard-and-fast rules. Mixing involves adjusting the levels of tracks, panning in the stereo field, EQ adjustments, and effects. In general, things like lead vocals, bass guitar, snare&kick drum, etc. are panned to the center in a mix, but stereo effects (reverbs/delays) are often added to give stereo spread to these tracks. Other instruments can be treated a number of ways. The best advice I can give you is to listen to a few of your favorite records with headphones and pay particular attention to where instruments are located in the stereo field and how everything blends together. That will help you when you are mixing your own stuff.