is it better to produce in mono or stereo?

[T-CM11]

but i am not saying make a song in mono. thats lame

Why is it lame? If you're not recording a band or care for sounds flying around the stereo spectrum? Most of what I make is mono, what's wrong with that?

[jam92189]

this mite be a stupid question but to produce a track in mono do I simply add a "mono effect" (not sure what they call it) on the master and then take it off at the end?

In Reaper you just press Mono button on Master channel - and can check out how it sounds.

Reaper also has a 'stereo width' button. When I'm mixing I set the levels in mono first, then I listen in stereo and if the sound is too loud I narrow the stereo width until it is the right volume and check again in mono. When it sound right in mono and stereo it is right.

I have never really tried that I think I will have to try that today

[dark_virus]

this mite be a stupid question but to produce a track in mono do I simply add a "mono effect" (not sure what they call it) on the master and then take it off at the end?

Exactly. No need to mix in mono. You can use a mono-izer plugin at the end of your chain and check for mono compatibily easily.

There's a stereo plugin by Kelly Industries that works wonders for this exact task.

[jam92189]

this mite be a stupid question but to produce a track in mono do I simply add a "mono effect" (not sure what they call it) on the master and then take it off at the end?

Exactly. No need to mix in mono. You can use a mono-izer plugin at the end of your chain and check for mono compatibily easily.

There's a stereo plugin by Kelly Industries that works wonders for this exact task.

mm okay I was thinking that they meant like while producing listening to a track in mono. yea never do a project in mono I mix my stereo mix in mono to get a good sense of separation and getting my eq and stuff right but I never output a mono file.
make a stereo production or mix or whatever and check it in mono while you mix.

[kg2600]

thanks for all the feedback guys really appreciate it. but one more question. i use fl studio is there a way to make the track mono cause when i wanna make something mono i have to put a plugin on the master and then click mono but is there something in software where i can click?

[camsr]

In FL there is a stereo seperation knob on each mixer track that will allow you to dial to mono (100% merged) to double stereo.

[dark_virus]

make a stereo production or mix or whatever and check it in mono while you mix.

Exactly!

[jam92189]

make a stereo production or mix or whatever and check it in mono while you mix.

Exactly!

yay we agree

[Uncle E]

I'd never thought of it before but it does make sense to mix in mono when using headphones. I just tried it and found it much better for getting the bass balanced, at least for me.

Does anyone know a good way to mix in mono on Maschine or know of a good mono plug-in for Mac?

[jam92189]

I'd never thought of it before but it does make sense to mix in mono when using headphones. I just tried it and found it much better for getting the bass balanced, at least for me.

Does anyone know a good way to mix in mono on Maschine or know of a good mono plug-in for Mac?

just look up a free stereo tool I know flux has one http://www.kvraudio.com/product/stereo_tool_by_flux

[Uncle E]

Excellent! Thanks!

[kg2600]

hey guys i have another question about mixing when your doing the final mixdown should you turn off effects of the instruments or does it not matter. should you mute reverbs, delays, ant etc. or should you leave it in during the mixdown.

[Uncle E]

Leave them on.

btw, I've been checking my headphone mixes in mono ever since this thread started and they're easily the best headphone mixes I've ever done.

[ducter]

hey guys i have another question about mixing when your doing the final mixdown should you turn off effects of the instruments or does it not matter. should you mute reverbs, delays, ant etc. or should you leave it in during the mixdown.

Leave them on, don't mute all of them at once.

They are a part of your total picture.

But you might want to be daring and see if muting stuff that you aren't sure is necessary adds to the overall clarity of your mix. Less is more in a lot of cases. Everybody has a tendency to add more and more stuff as we go along, especially with unlimited tracks available. Be bold and cut it down to the essentials.

[Uncle E]

But you might want to be daring and see if muting stuff that you aren't sure is necessary adds to the overall clarity of your mix. Less is more in a lot of cases. Everybody has a tendency to add more and more stuff as we go along, especially with unlimited tracks available. Be bold and cut it down to the essentials.

+1