Do you record in Mono or Stereo? Panning?

[rids]

Not sure where to post this.

Well, I'm curious If you guys like to record audio in Mono or Stereo? Basically I'm getting a high end compressor right now, but don't have the moola to get a 2nd for now. So I was wondering how important if at all it would be to record in stereo. I have quite a few synths that use Stereo outs, but some of them also offer mono individual outs. I was thinking of adjusting myself to record in Mono instead of Stereo for now. Do you guys think that would work just as good? Of course I will have to keep in mind when makes sounds to not go crazy on any modulations that use the stereo band.

Mainly curious how you guys do it.

Also curious what kind of technique you guys follow for effective panning? Keeping the main instruments like Vocals and bass up front center (w/out panning) while panning other instruments, or what.? Or maybe just the main instruments that drive the melody up front and all the other instruments where ever you see fit?

[Andrew Kinsey]

The decision weather to record in mono or stereo depends on what sounds your recording and what sound your going for.

Hers a few examples however there are no rules and alot of the time it depends how much space in the mix you want that sound to take up.

Bass - Mono
Drum Hits - Mono
Loops - Stereo
Piano's - Stereo
Vocals - Either

[octatonic]

Mostly mono- although acoustic guitars, string ensemble and vocal ensembles are sometimes recorded with more then one mic.

[rids]

So then my follow-up question would be, do you guys feel that having Mono pres, comps, eqs, etc. will work fine for recording? In other words do you feel it necessary to have stereo versions of your outboard gear? I was thinking if I need a stereo track to work with it in my DAW and duplicate mono tracks to make stereo, maybe alter a little bit to taste.

I'm just curious how this will sound if I have Mono tracks all over the place without any stereo.

[AmekGuy]

Originally Posted by rids

So then my follow-up question would be, do you guys feel that having Mono pres, comps, eqs, etc. will work fine for recording? In other words do you feel it necessary to have stereo versions of your outboard gear? I was thinking if I need a stereo track to work with it in my DAW and duplicate mono tracks to make stereo, maybe alter a little bit to taste.

I'm just curious how this will sound if I have Mono tracks all over the place without any stereo.

Try running two matching mics (or other stereo sources) through two different comps for some interesting effects. I also prefer doubling parts, as too much stereo tracking can really bog down a mix. You can always pick up an inexpensive 2 channel comp in the interim, for stereo parts, until you can afford a matching channel of the good stuff.

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by rids

So then my follow-up question would be, do you guys feel that having Mono pres, comps, eqs, etc. will work fine for recording? In other words do you feel it necessary to have stereo versions of your outboard gear? I was thinking if I need a stereo track to work with it in my DAW and duplicate mono tracks to make stereo, maybe alter a little bit to taste.

I'm just curious how this will sound if I have Mono tracks all over the place without any stereo.

I'd say it's nice to have some dual pre's but most of my tracks are mono, and where I'm inclined to have a dual/stereo comp would be for the master (or sub bus maybe?) and convenience/cost/space considerations. (And always rather have two of something of course. )
Wouldn't be compressing a lot of stereo tracks going in.

[jacobdetering]

general rule of thumb for me is that if you want the instrument to have a definitive location in the mix, then go mono. however, when going that route I still use two mics and use a bit of distance between the mics to create just enough change in the phase information as to not create phase incoherency. I digress.

If you want something that sounds 'around' you or the mix - stereo. if you want to be able to point to a speaker and say 'that guitar, there' go mono.

not sure if that's my two cents or nonsense. you decide.

[DeeDrive]

just don't assume that because a synth or keyboard has stereo outs, you have to use them. A bad trap people fall into is recording everything in stereo, then panning everything left and right, leaving the center channel nearly empty.

having said that, I would recommend getting a stereo compressor, just to have the option. If i was recording drums and wanted to use stereo room mics, I know I'd like to have a 2 channel comp unit to track those with. Sure, you could get by with mono, but there is a lot of versatility in having a stereo compressor, 2-bus, stereo acoustic guitar recording, etc.

[rids]

So basically it's better to have at Least some tracks in stereo as opposed to recording everything in Mono and doubling parts that need it? I was wondering if I would be able to get by without having a stereo compressor, but I may still need one, if doing things in Mono only won't cut it.

Sounds like a good mix will usually have stereo as well as Mono parts in it. Correct?