Mono versus stereo recording.

[Iscariot13]

An easy one for you guys.

 

When i'm recording rhythm guitars for my metal band, I record direct in, in stereo; one take is panned hard left- the other panned hard right. I get a really great, full sound but was wondering if I'm wasting hardrive space by recording in stereo?

 

Would I be better off doing the same thing just recording in mono instead?

 

Opinions welcome.

[David Nahmani]

What do you mean by "one take" and "the other": are those two different recordings? If you record the same signal on both sides of a stereo file, yes, you're wasting hard disk space, CPU load and hard disk streaming on both recording and playback. If you record two different takes that you'd like to pan left and right, I would recommend recording two mono tracks. Same thing if you mic the amp with two different microphones: two mono tracks.

[Iscariot13]

Yes. Two different recordings.

 

By "one take" I mean a recorded rhythm guitar section/riff (chorus for example).

 

The "other" as in the other "take" is same section/riff recorded again. Same riff, different recordings.

 

Ok, probably not using the correct terminology, but there you go...

 

Cheers Dave. Mono it is.

[David Nahmani]

I would put them each on its own mono track and pan them to taste. That way you have individual control over their position, their level, their EQ etc..

[Iscariot13]

Sweet. Sounds like a plan. Thanks.

[David Nahmani]

You're welcome, good luck!