question

[Ferry123]

I wonder what the big difference is between:

1. A signal that is recorded mono, which you can hear in your left speaker.
2. A signal that is recorded stereo, and panned to the left, so you can hear it in your left speaker.

Hope you can help me...

 

[scrubs]

Well, if you are recording on your computer, the stereo file takes up twice as much hard drive space. That's a difference.

Generally, most instruments should be recorded in mono for multitrack mixes. The exceptions could include: Drum overheads, acoustic stringed instruments (sometimes acoustic guitars sound better in stereo), pianos, etc. Occasionally, I will track an electic guitar part in stereo if I am recording it with stereo effects, but usually I just record the dry track in mono and add stereo effects after tracking.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

You record a stereo signal to capture a sound source in stereo (using stereo mic'ing techniques) - by it's very definition, you wouldn't pan a stereo signal all to one side (losing the right channel information), otherwise you shouldn't have bothered recording it in stereo!

 

[Rokket]

You record a stereo signal to capture a sound source in stereo (using stereo mic'ing techniques) - by it's very definition, you wouldn't pan a stereo signal all to one side (losing the right channel information), otherwise you shouldn't have bothered recording it in stereo!

Ah, you beat me to it! You're too quick, Bruce!

 

[Ferry123]

Well, if you are recording on your computer, the stereo file takes up twice as much hard drive space. That's a difference.

Generally, most instruments should be recorded in mono for multitrack mixes. The exceptions could include: Drum overheads, acoustic stringed instruments (sometimes acoustic guitars sound better in stereo), pianos, etc. Occasionally, I will track an electic guitar part in stereo if I am recording it with stereo effects, but usually I just record the dry track in mono and add stereo effects after tracking.

Well, it all happened by accident...

I recorded my guitar in stereo, and found out the output was mono... But it sounded all right with the rest... So, I guessed.. well... keep it that way. Why not? (if it sounds good, it is good, isn't it?)

 

[Rokket]

Well, it all happened by accident...

I recorded my guitar in stereo, and found out the output was mono... But it sounded all right with the rest... So, I guessed.. well... keep it that way. Why not? (if it sounds good, it is good, isn't it?)

That's the secret: use your ears....
They will develope over time....

And when you get stuck, that's where guys like Bruce come in. I am still relatively new myself. I have only been recording seriously for about a year. I've learned alot, but nothing replaces experience....