Do group tracks in cubase effect the sound negatively?

[paul999]

I was doing a mix this morning and thought I noticed something weird in cubase 4 with group tracks. Maybe I am hearing things.

I had a mandolin track with lots of delays panned to different places. When I sent them all to a group track I could swear it sounded a little bit "less stereo" and thinner.

Anyone else notice this.

[willjrockstar]

Trip 9's How could this be??? Ive also heard claims that group tracks actually sound better. In your case,from what youve stated so far,it sounds like phasing or masking.

[Vulconizer]

Just to make sure, did you send them to a mono or stereo group, Paul?

A mono group could affect your panning situation a little bit, I'm betting.

Otherwise, I've never noticed any adverse problems with group tracks in C4.

I'm thinking something has to be up that you might be overlooking.

[paul999]

Thanks for checking V. Yep I checked(I imagined the ribbing I would get if I didn't). I'm glad you haven't noticed a problem. The one thing that came to mind is that the panning law might not be the same in group channels as it is for individual tracks. I am going to do some tests later.

[Vulconizer]

Originally Posted by paul999

Thanks for checking V. Yep I checked(I imagined the ribbing I would get if I didn't). I'm glad you haven't noticed a problem. The one thing that came to mind is that the panning law might not be the same in group channels as it is for individual tracks. I am going to do some tests later.

Hmmm... My first thought is why would they use a different pan law for group tracks? Not saying that it isn't possible, I'd just be curious as to why it be done that way. More work for them, or so it would seem, from a coding point of view.

The second is, once the output of the group hits the 2-bus, wouldn't it fall under whatever pan law you have chosen anyhow?

I'll be curious to see what your tests are and what they reveal, Paul.

[Audio~Geek]

move the tracks further apart to make it wider

[String7th]

Also in Cubase I noted something the other day. In your project setup, there's a stereo panning law with options to change to Db levels. I have to get into the manual but this may be part of what goes into a bus mix from mono to stereo.