Why bass mono?

[ghostwhistler]

I've watched a lot of production clips, and when talking about bass parts (electronic, specifically, as opposed to bass guitar or cello for example), the consensus seems to be that bass parts should always be mono.

Assuming this is true; why?

[gullfo]

it's more about low frequencies <100hz as they're basically non-directional in most listening environments due to the wavelength - and since they generally need to be boosted in order for people to hear them clearly, they can be the predominant level for triggering compression and limiting across a mix.

so it's pretty common to use FX which add harmonics to LF instruments to allow them to be heard more readily (and also panned if desired), and also to compress the LF specifically (depending on the material) to level it and reduce it's final impact on the overall mix dynamics controls (compression/limiting etc.)

having a "mono" LF then places the source in the middle and can support an even level of LF across the mix (which if the LF is panned can cause a mix to feel unbalanced - which can also be a desirable effect in some cases...) and reducing the dynamics impact on instruments placed on the "sides".

[enroe]

Well, the technical reason is that the low frequencies, i.e. the bass frequencies,
carry the most energy. The converters that we use, i.e. the loudspeakers, monitor
boxes or the PA, almost all have problems reproducing these frequencies with
their high energy. That's why it's important to distribute this high energy evenly
on both sides, i.e. to place it exactly in the middle.

[BertKoor]

Why high frequencies are directional and low aren't?

https://science-of-sound.net/2016/06/so ... on-basics/

https://www.theaudioblog.org/post/why-h ... low-aren-t

[dark water]

Traditionally, bass was often msde mono when cutting tracks to vinyl and for making sure bass in clubs (with mono systems) enabled all clubbers to hear / feel the same low end.

However, various famous tracks now have (and various modern producers like) non-mono bass, depending upon genre and format.

I prefer my low bass (approx 100hz and below) mono for what it's worth.

[zerocrossing]

Well, the technical reason is that the low frequencies, i.e. the bass frequencies,
carry the most energy. The converters that we use, i.e. the loudspeakers, monitor
boxes or the PA, almost all have problems reproducing these frequencies with
their high energy. That's why it's important to distribute this high energy evenly
on both sides, i.e. to place it exactly in the middle.

That isn’t necessarily true. Monitoring equipment is really good these days and sub woofers are cheap. It’s more because the wavelengths are longer than the distance your ears are apart, therefore you can’t perceive them as part of a stereo field. Of course, harmonics of that bass part will be directional, but you generally want them in the center anyway for aesthetic reasons. Do you want the “base” of your track to be panned to one side?

[Effectsworks]

Lower bass freq ALWAYS mono to avoid phasing, etc. Higher freqs spread and add fx.

Depends on the genre and style the artist is after too.

[Uncle E]

Adding to what everyone else has said, since there's no benefit of using stereo on low frequencies (80Hz and below), there can only be negatives (in the form of phase cancelation).

[enroe]

Well, the technical reason is that the low frequencies, i.e. the bass frequencies,
carry the most energy. The converters that we use, i.e. the loudspeakers, monitor
boxes or the PA, almost all have problems reproducing these frequencies with
their high energy. That's why it's important to distribute this high energy evenly
on both sides, i.e. to place it exactly in the middle.

That isn’t necessarily true. Monitoring equipment is really good these days and sub woofers are cheap. It’s more because the wavelengths are longer than the distance your ears are apart, therefore you can’t perceive them as part of a stereo field. Of course, harmonics of that bass part will be directional, but you generally want them in the center anyway for aesthetic reasons. Do you want the “base” of your track to be panned to one side?

Strictly speaking, no. The main reason is the high energy content and the problems
that loudspeaker systems have with it.

Of course, there are good monitors and subwoofers that can also reproduce low-
frequency signals well. But as a rule, you want a song to sound good on all equipment
- including your home stereo or small boomboxes or headphones. That's why it's a
must: the bass has to be exactly in the middle.

Let's assume that everyone has ideal monitoring speakers (which is not the case).
Then there is no reason to always place the bass exactly in the middle. Then,
depending on the genre and style, you could also place the bass all the way to the
left or right - or even alternately. A new style would even emerge, called "left-right
-super-bass-pounder," in which the bass would waft around the room.

But the reality is different: There are lots of small and tiny speakers. In order for a
song to sound decent on them, the bass always has to be placed exactly in the
stereo center.

[mixtur.se]

Well, the technical reason is that the low frequencies, i.e. the bass frequencies,
carry the most energy. The converters that we use, i.e. the loudspeakers, monitor
boxes or the PA, almost all have problems reproducing these frequencies with
their high energy. That's why it's important to distribute this high energy evenly
on both sides, i.e. to place it exactly in the middle.

That isn’t necessarily true. Monitoring equipment is really good these days and sub woofers are cheap. It’s more because the wavelengths are longer than the distance your ears are apart, therefore you can’t perceive them as part of a stereo field. Of course, harmonics of that bass part will be directional, but you generally want them in the center anyway for aesthetic reasons. Do you want the “base” of your track to be panned to one side?

Strictly speaking, no. The main reason is the high energy content and the problems
that loudspeaker systems have with it.

Of course, there are good monitors and subwoofers that can also reproduce low-
frequency signals well. But as a rule, you want a song to sound good on all equipment
- including your home stereo or small boomboxes or headphones. That's why it's a
must: the bass has to be exactly in the middle.

Let's assume that everyone has ideal monitoring speakers (which is not the case).
Then there is no reason to always place the bass exactly in the middle. Then,
depending on the genre and style, you could also place the bass all the way to the
left or right - or even alternately. A new style would even emerge, called "left-right
-super-bass-pounder," in which the bass would waft around the room.

But the reality is different: There are lots of small and tiny speakers. In order for a
song to sound decent on them, the bass always has to be placed exactly in the
stereo center.

It would also screw up vinyl cutting

[dark water]

Fun fact: most people fart in mono (unless a lot of high pressure is applied).

[Uncle E]

Gives new meaning to “cutting to vinyl”

[vurt]

Fun fact: most people fart in mono (unless a lot of high pressure is applied).

"most"? who was the one person, that had the stereo anus?

[Bunny_boy]

Fun fact: most people fart in mono (unless a lot of high pressure is applied).

stereo anus?

The eponymous shakespearean Roman?

[dark water]

Fun fact: most people fart in mono (unless a lot of high pressure is applied).

stereo anus?

The eponymous shakespearean Roman?

Anyway, hopefully we've solved the OP's question now