Any opinions on stereo vs. multi/ mono plugs?

jetproplabs · 14th November 2007, 03:41 AM

I am putting a few plugins on the master buss and am wondering what everyone thinks about the difference between stereo and multi mono versions of things like Massey's L2007, the URS CSPro, Waves SSL buss comp, dither, etc. I can hear the difference when I switch them but is one definitely preferable over the other in certain applications? If you ALWAYS use one of these in one form or the other, please enlighten me.

robert

DrummerGuy09 · 6th May 2008, 10:40 PM

I would like to know more about this topic also. Thanks

-BUMP-

DrummerGuy09 · 10th May 2008, 04:54 AM

Bump

Anyone have any opinions on Multi-Mono vs. Stereo plugins on the master buss?

To my ears, I feel Multi-Mono are the right choice for MixBuss plugs.

Hot Lipps · 10th May 2008, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrummerGuy09

Bump

Anyone have any opinions on Multi-Mono vs. Stereo plugins on the master buss?

To my ears, I feel Multi-Mono are the right choice for MixBuss plugs.

I know on MILAR dye says that he uses multi mono on the 2bus because it more closely emulates analog gear. He said that on an analog desk the channels arent stereo but dual mono so he mimics that.

psycho_monkey · 10th May 2008, 06:14 PM

well, a principle difference of course is that multi-mono plugins can be split so that you can change the settings for left and right independently - you can't do that on stereo plugins. The display for some eg digirack delays are different too - but functionally the same I think.

Apart from that - I can't see there'd be a difference in sonics. Haven't done a null test...I guess if you were really interested, you could try that.

A LaMere · 12th May 2008, 06:04 AM

There's certainly an actual sonic difference and reason to use multi-mono or stereo on stereo tracks or on the stereo buss in my opinion.

I tend to use multi-mono on the master because if I'm using stereo limiting or compression and the right channel causes the comp to trigger then the left channel is pulled down as well. If I'm using multi-mono, even with the exact same settings the channel's work independently and the information in the right channel doesn't effect the info on the left side. This causes a more solid/consistent stereo field in many cases to my ears... because I tend to hear the sides independently anyways. I use multi-mono on the stereo buss because it retains the punch and impact of the music a little bit better IN MOST CASES.

That being said... during a mix I can certainly see a reason to use one or the other...
Using a true stereo instance tends to glue the two sides a little bit better and is often the way that I go when treating stereo tracks in a mix....

on things like b3 organ or keys that I purposely want to be wider I'll often use multi-mono as well.

There really are no rules... and everyone works differently (thank God!)
Experiment with each and figure out which you like better, and why... and where each might be a benefit to you.

**Geert van den Berg** · 12th May 2008, 11:44 AM

A multi-mono plugin instance shouldn't be sounding different than a stereo version.

Except if you unlink Left and Right, and I believe that is what Charles Dye does.

izzi · 13th May 2008, 04:55 AM

I could be wrong but I think that the only plug-in on the Charles Dye's MiLaR video that is used on the Master Buss in Multi-Mono is the McDSP AC1. It appears that all the others are in Multi-Channel.

spinedoc · 13th May 2008, 02:10 PM

What are some PC vst 2 buss compressors that can be unlinked?

terminal3 · 13th May 2008, 02:33 PM

smassey.com

Charles Dye · 17th May 2008, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzi

I could be wrong but I think that the only plug-in on the Charles Dye's MiLaR video that is used on the Master Buss in Multi-Mono is the McDSP AC1. It appears that all the others are in Multi-Channel.

you are correct, sir!

psycho_monkey · 17th May 2008, 08:14 PM

So...can someone confirm that if a multi-mono compressor is used, the inputs to the sidechains are ALWAYS unlinked? Or is it only when you unlink the controls manually?

izzi · 17th May 2008, 08:48 PM

I believe you have to unlink manually.

Lagerfeldt · 17th May 2008, 10:31 PM

There can be some danger in unlinking. While it might sound initially more appealing, true imaging may be lost in stereo recordings.

izzi · 17th May 2008, 10:36 PM

Yes, +1

Andreas G · 17th May 2008, 11:01 PM

Both can sound cool!

I found a linked 2 buss compressor can narrow the stereo-image especially with hardware. On the other hand it can underline the punch/groove caused by the centered kick and snare triggering the compresor most in Rock/Pop for example.

An unlinked 2 buss compressor seems to widen the stereo image. One of the rare stereo-wideners which doesn't screw up the balance when listening in mono or not so perfect stereo situations.

psycho_monkey · 18th May 2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzi

I believe you have to unlink manually.

I guess it's time to test....belief won't do!

izzi · 18th May 2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

I guess it's time to test....belief won't do!

Testing it out for yourself, what a brilliant idea!

14th November 2007, 03:41 AM	#1
jetproplabs Gear Head Join Date: May 2004 Location: minneapolis/ portland, OR Posts: 32	Any opinions on stereo vs. multi/ mono plugs? I am putting a few plugins on the master buss and am wondering what everyone thinks about the difference between stereo and multi mono versions of things like Massey's L2007, the URS CSPro, Waves SSL buss comp, dither, etc. I can hear the difference when I switch them but is one definitely preferable over the other in certain applications? If you ALWAYS use one of these in one form or the other, please enlighten me. robert

6th May 2008, 10:40 PM	#2
DrummerGuy09 Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 97	I would like to know more about this topic also. Thanks -BUMP- __________________ SoundWave360.com

10th May 2008, 04:54 AM	#3
DrummerGuy09 Gear nut Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 97	Bump Anyone have any opinions on Multi-Mono vs. Stereo plugins on the master buss? To my ears, I feel Multi-Mono are the right choice for MixBuss plugs. __________________ SoundWave360.com

12th May 2008, 06:04 AM	#6
A LaMere Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 659	There's certainly an actual sonic difference and reason to use multi-mono or stereo on stereo tracks or on the stereo buss in my opinion. I tend to use multi-mono on the master because if I'm using stereo limiting or compression and the right channel causes the comp to trigger then the left channel is pulled down as well. If I'm using multi-mono, even with the exact same settings the channel's work independently and the information in the right channel doesn't effect the info on the left side. This causes a more solid/consistent stereo field in many cases to my ears... because I tend to hear the sides independently anyways. I use multi-mono on the stereo buss because it retains the punch and impact of the music a little bit better IN MOST CASES. That being said... during a mix I can certainly see a reason to use one or the other... Using a true stereo instance tends to glue the two sides a little bit better and is often the way that I go when treating stereo tracks in a mix.... on things like b3 organ or keys that I purposely want to be wider I'll often use multi-mono as well. There really are no rules... and everyone works differently (thank God!) Experiment with each and figure out which you like better, and why... and where each might be a benefit to you. __________________ www.myspace.com/aaronlamere

17th May 2008, 10:31 PM	#14
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 2,042	There can be some danger in unlinking. While it might sound initially more appealing, true imaging may be lost in stereo recordings. __________________ Producer & engineer Apple Certified Pro for Logic Pro Popmusic.dk my production company Hit Kit V3 Sample CD urban & electronic beat production - used on Billboard #1 hits

10th May 2008, 06:14 PM	#5
psycho_monkey Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,818	well, a principle difference of course is that multi-mono plugins can be split so that you can change the settings for left and right independently - you can't do that on stereo plugins. The display for some eg digirack delays are different too - but functionally the same I think. Apart from that - I can't see there'd be a difference in sonics. Haven't done a null test...I guess if you were really interested, you could try that.

12th May 2008, 11:44 AM	#7
Geert van den Berg Mac Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 2,394	A multi-mono plugin instance shouldn't be sounding different than a stereo version. Except if you unlink Left and Right, and I believe that is what Charles Dye does.

13th May 2008, 04:55 AM	#8
izzi Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 37	I could be wrong but I think that the only plug-in on the Charles Dye's MiLaR video that is used on the Master Buss in Multi-Mono is the McDSP AC1. It appears that all the others are in Multi-Channel.

13th May 2008, 02:10 PM	#9
spinedoc Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 31	What are some PC vst 2 buss compressors that can be unlinked?

13th May 2008, 02:33 PM	#10
terminal3 Lives for gear Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,126	smassey.com

17th May 2008, 08:14 PM	#12
psycho_monkey Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,818	So...can someone confirm that if a multi-mono compressor is used, the inputs to the sidechains are ALWAYS unlinked? Or is it only when you unlink the controls manually?

17th May 2008, 08:48 PM	#13
izzi Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 37	I believe you have to unlink manually.

17th May 2008, 10:36 PM	#15
izzi Gear Head Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 37	Yes, +1

17th May 2008, 11:01 PM	#16
Andreas G Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 728	Both can sound cool! I found a linked 2 buss compressor can narrow the stereo-image especially with hardware. On the other hand it can underline the punch/groove caused by the centered kick and snare triggering the compresor most in Rock/Pop for example. An unlinked 2 buss compressor seems to widen the stereo image. One of the rare stereo-wideners which doesn't screw up the balance when listening in mono or not so perfect stereo situations.

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