Who is mixing with a mono speaker?

[Switchcraft]

So anyone? I am not asking who is asking who is mixing in "mono", but who is mixing with a mono speaker?

Mono Speaker= one speaker placed in the center of the console.

Anyone out there doing this while arranging levels?

[gainstages]

i occassionally listen to the mix in mono on a single speaker. I check for phasing issues, levels, and even use it to help fine tune panning (yes, PANNING in mono, sounds crazy but it can help).

[lord_bunny]

Checking your mixes in Mono

This is a thread I started a while ago about the same subject. I use this trashy Sound Image all the time. To me it's the easiest way to get a vocal to sit nicely.

[gainreduction]

I have one under the console.

[seriousfun]

I even do 5.1 mixing and panning through one speaker, the Center Channel.

When I'm finally happy with balances and EQ, to switch to all five speakers usually gives me a big smile. Reverb and delay balance usually is the only thing that changes significantly.

[Geert van den Berg]

I recently started doing it, and I liked the outcome, so I'll probably going to do this more often in the future...

[luctellier]

I always give a listen iin mono on a Auratone C5.

[ODZ]

I'll try to spend an hour or so at a time in mono. I'll be mixing away for a while, forget I'm in mono, realize, "oh yeah" then BAM! usually helps me iron out balance and phase issues pretty quick.

[RKrizman]

I mix in single speaker mono all the time. I just hit the mono switch on th C24 and reach up and flip off one of my S3As. It's a great way to get balances and eq, not just check your stereo mix. Next time you're mixing, try it for an extended period of time. When you go back too stereo you'll be smiling.

I used to do the music for a daytime soap back in the days it was mono, and learning to image front-to-back was great training.

-R

[davebl@dircon.c]

Surely this is essential to do for any mix to check mono on one speaker. Some monitoring is set up for mono on the left speaker to avouid the proliferation of speakers around the place. One relal big advantage of broadcast desks is they are usualy provided with comprehensive monitoring routing for monitoring on one speaker etc

Even more important for surround/stereo/mono compatibility.....

Ive always found that mixing in mono on one speaker is the most dificult to get the audio balanced corectly, if it works on one speaker in mono usualy the stereo mix is balanced right also.

[stuntbutt]

I always start mixing one speaker mono. Overall I listen about half the time in stereo.

[sneezebomb]

i started mixing with a mono speaker about a month ago and i've really been pleasantly surprised at how effective it is for setting pan positions and adjusting levels. As it turns out, i probably wouldn't have given it a shot any time soon except that i went the cheap route on my first pair of monitors (Wharfedale Diamond 2.8) and one of them died on me after less than a year of use. Shortly afterwards, i read about the virtues of mono mixing in Stavrou's book and thought, "hmmm...guess i can put that one working speaker to use." As luck would have it, i also had a single speaker stand that a roommate left behind years ago so now that's actually getting put to use as well. Pretty groovy.

Anyhow, thumbs up for mixing in mono. It's new and exciting to me.

[filjorgez]

Can somebody tell me, just what it is they hear when they swing a pan pot while listening to mono? thanks

[dbbubba]

I don't get too carried away with mono listening, but what I do on every mix I do it listen from across the room or in another room with the sound coming through a doorway.
Some things will sound quite groovy when you are sitting in the sweet spot, but from another room they will sound completely out of place and wrong.

One thing that I have found helps pinpoint areas that need "help" or further consideration is to pull up a mix after a few hours or a day later even and let my very first impression/s guide or show me what needs to be done to improve a mix.
Things that show up immdedeately on a first listen are quite often not very noticiable at all when you have been mixing for an extended period of time.

Another interesting thing is that with all of the work I have done in radio/TV production VERY little has been monitored in mono.
Good production translates fine.
You just know how to avoid the "pitfalls."

[Switchcraft]

Can somebody tell me, just what it is they hear when they swing a pan pot while listening to mono? thanks

I would assume that after a signals Left and Right channel's information is summed to center, you will be listening to the phase relationships of sounds that are paned away from eachother in a mix. Much like you would if you put your stereo speakers in mono, but without some of the spacial effects that the acoustical design of the room (or lack there of) creates.

[dbbubba]

If the panning circuit has a 3 db center boost or a pan circuit with constant gain willl make a level difference depending on where the pan is set.

If it is a constant gain panning circuit there will be no difference in levels when you switch between mono or stereo.

[3rd world order]

i'm also a mono-luddite.

its pretty simple really... make one speaker work before 2.. make less tracks work before more... certainly not rocket science.

[mixman499]

all the time !!!

i used to love to mix through my otari 1/2" machines mono speaker...really helped with balances of vox and guitars, and fx. these days i use ns10's, nht a10's in stereo..often colapsing the mix to mono to check stuff...and a single auratone or radioshack minumus 7 powered by a hafler p1500...(in mono)

i ALWAYS check drums in mono when i am tracking...really helps get all the mics in phase and sounding cool..(that is...when i am recording stereo drums...lately i have been doing all mono drums...for some reason..)

jchristopherhughes

[macmod]

Originally Posted by filjorgez

Can somebody tell me, just what it is they hear when they swing a pan pot while listening to mono? thanks

Would like to know that too..

Regards,
Macmod

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by macmod

Would like to know that too..

Regards,
Macmod

danny brown answered this above.

It all depends on the panning law you're working under.

[Ravian]

i'll listen in mono 50 % of the mix.

and even on a little PC speaker.