Audiotool board archive

stereo or mono

Linnk · started 2022-03-10 00:56 · updated 2022-11-29 00:09

when to use stereo or mono?

Comments (17)

2022-03-10 07:32 · 2022-03-10

Depends how how you like it. Sometimes i put reverb on a synth and then i turn it mono to give a cool sound effect. Usually though you would use mono if you wanted something to be in front of you, and stereo for behind. Just like panning sounds left and right

2022-03-10 13:21 · 2022-03-10

its usually better to use stereo sounds since it sounds more full compared to mono, however a mix of both can often be great too.

2022-03-10 19:21 · 2022-03-10

Stereo on bass and low percussion is not so good

Linnk · reply
2022-03-15 00:46 · 2022-03-15

so it's better use mono on bass and percussion??

2022-03-24 21:09 · 2022-03-24

mono

2022-03-27 17:15 · 2022-03-27

From a mixing point of view I mono my bass instruments, as well as keeping my kick mono. Sometimes I create stereowidth in the high end of a kick, but not often.

When using reverb, I nowadays split the signal where mono sounds (mid) and stereo sounds (side) have different room sizes and release times (tighter reverb on the mid signal, loose reverb on the side signal). This allows for more airy, spacey reverberation on the stereo field, typically in the higher frequencies, and keeps the mono mix clean and tight.

If I'm mixing for film, dialogue is typically mono and kept centered. This helps keep it clear.
Typically I would do the same with vocals on a track, before adding effects like chorus etc. to taste.

Cal Lycus · reply
2022-03-27 17:17 · 2022-03-27

It's worth noting that people often refer to "bass" but are actually talking about sounds that sit in the midrange of the frequency spectrum. For reference, I'm referring to sounds below 200hz as bass. (This is by no means the definition, just what I'm using.)

2022-03-27 17:18 · 2022-03-27

Wrong board.

Moved from https://www.audiotool.com/board/chitchat to https://www.audiotool.com/board/mixing
Linnk · reply
2022-03-28 01:28 · 2022-03-28

can you send me a track of yours where you used this method??

Cal Lycus · reply
2022-03-28 09:46 · 2022-03-28

Funnily enough, no. I started using this in the last year or so and haven't released any music on AT in that timeframe. I'll try and set something up in a draft at some point and post the link here for you when I do.

Linnk · reply
2022-03-30 00:54 · 2022-03-30

that'd be awesome.

Cal Lycus · reply
2022-04-01 09:51 · 2022-04-01

Awesome, cheers Jordi! I completely missed this feature of that EQ!

Cal Lycus · reply
2022-04-01 11:56 · 2022-04-01

@jordynth I just published a "remix" here: https://www.audiotool.com/track/iurvlax6yslt/
I used your concept, but I couldn't wrap my head around the need for the maths, or all of your tools; I believe this accomplishes the same task. Thoughts?

2022-04-02 22:59 · 2022-04-02

Thanks. The math only defines how to calculate mid and sides signals from left and right ones. You only need one panorama to calculate the sides signal (L-R) instead of two and a merger. Also, you don't get a correct stereo pair by simply adding mid and side signals together.

2022-11-29 00:09 · 2022-11-29

Mono files are mostly good for space saving on hardware samplers. For example if you just want an efficient kick loop, or acid sequence.