How do you record mono to stereo

[Harvey Headbanger]

Is it ok to record a mono guitar track, copy it to another track and then pan both tracks left and right to get a stereo sound?

Cheers M

[richiebee]

A mono signal is a mono signal. The only way you're going to get an advantage by making it stereo is to use stereo effects (in which case I think bussing it to a group channel might be easier). Putting out of phase might give you some extra width I suppose. Check for mono compatibility if you do this.

To answer your question directly. Yes its okay. But whether there's any advantage is another matter.

[brandondrury]

If you take a mono track, duplicate it, and pan them both hard, the sound should be identical to one single mono track. That's exactly what a mono signal is (equal energy to the left and right side).

Is it ok to record....

I hereby give you permission to record however you want to.

[Harvey Headbanger]

Thanks for the permission clever clogs, I was just wondering if it was common practice to mix in this way to get a stereo sound, im just finding my feet with the whole mix down thing. Any usefull tips?

Yours Respectfully M

[brandondrury]

You need to remember that, typically, a stereo mix is not a bunch of stereo tracks. A stereo mix is a bunch of mono tracks that have been panned.

For big rock guitars, I love doubling. I'll record one track and then another one. I'll toss on on the left side and one on the right side. (Not remotely the same as panning one guitar in the center).

I do sometimes duplicate tracks, but it's usually for some sort of compression or EQ trick.

Brandon

[Harvey Headbanger]

Thanks Brandon it's good to have someone that knows thier stuff.

I think the biggest hurdle for me at the moment is learning about EQ. I took your advise and bought that book by rick clark which is good reading but there is alot of engineer jargon that I don't understand (what is multing?) sounds like something a dog would do! Anyway do you know of any good books that deal with in depth EQ. I have got the waves diamond bundle but little knowledge on how to use it. Of course being a musician for so many years gives you a great ear for what sounds good, a grounded knowledge in theory is what i'm out to get.

Thanks once again M

[brandondrury]

I took your advise and bought that book by rick clark which is good reading but there is alot of engineer jargon that I don't understand (what is multing?) sounds like something a dog would do!

It depends on the context used. Going out on a limb, it's usually a "submix". If you can use the word in a specific sentence, I'll be able to help.

I took your advise and bought that book by rick clark which is good reading but there is alot of engineer jargon that I don't understand

If you understood it, what would be the point of the book? If they don't explain any term well enough, the forum is here.

I have got the waves diamond bundle but little knowledge on how to use it.

You've got a good set of plugins, musical experience, and killer book. It sounds to me like you've got some buttons to push.

I think the biggest hurdle for me at the moment is learning about EQ.

EQ is pretty simple. Boost or cut any frequency you want. The part you are concerned about is knowing when to cut / boost and what frequencies to cut / boost.

This really can't be taught online, thus far. I'd really need to a DVD on this. It takes lots of trial and error to learn that works and what doesn't. For the most part, EQ is generally not needed if your tracks were recorded well in the first place (drums is an exception).

Maybe the best way I could help would be by you posting a song in Bash This Mix and then I can pick out anything I would do differently.

Okay, here's an article for you:
Getting Started With Parametric EQ

Brandon

[lemdawg]

Would it be possible to copy a track that is all left and somehow paste it to the right on Cubase LE?

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by lemdawg

Would it be possible to copy a track that is all left and somehow paste it to the right on Cubase LE?

In Sonar there's a "convert to mono" feature that converts your stereo track (your track was recording in stereo, but you had only one input source--one mic). This "Convert to Mono" makes a mono track centered down the middle.

You can then take this mono track, clone it (copy it) for a second track.

Now you have two tracks. Pan one Left and pan the other right.
This is not stereo, but you can add some width to it by using some judicious delay.

I'm assuming Cubase can do this as well, but you need to convert that stereo track to mono.