razor
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Mono Mix Auditions
Hey all--
Are there any easy and fast mono auditioning techniques for a stereo mix in X2 that you can share?
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reginaldStjohn
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/09 16:15:14
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2013/09/09 20:56:46
The easiest way is to hit the stereo/mono button on the master bus. It's the little circle (mono) or double circle (stereo) icon. A more accurate way is to use your interfaces mono output or wire one speaker as a true mono output of your stereo output.
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wizard71
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/09 16:54:38
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2013/09/09 20:56:23
Yep the mixcube is a popular choice for those that check mixes in mono.
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chilldanny
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/09 17:27:08
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☼ Best Answerby razor 2013/09/09 20:56:36
Setup a buss named MONO and route it to your main soundcard outputs (not to a Master buss).
In the inspector, switch the interleave button to mono and reduce the input gain by around 6dB to
counter the increase in volume when when you switch a stereo signal to mono.
For now mute this buss.
Insert a send on your master buss and route it to your new MONO buss, remembering to switch it to pre-fade.
Now whenever you want to check your mix in mono simply mute the Master buss and un-mute the MONO buss.
Hope this helps.
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jb101
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/09 19:13:50
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☄ Helpfulby razor 2013/09/09 20:56:39
I highly recommend getting an "Auratone" or "Auratone clone" for mono monitoring. I use an auxiliary bus on my mixer routed to an "Auratone clone" for checking my mixes in mono. It has improved my mixes noticeably. In the absence of this, ave you tried channel tools? Just a thought. edited to add a space
post edited by jb101 - 2013/09/10 04:08:36
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razor
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/09 20:58:46
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chilldanny
Setup a buss named MONO and route it to your main soundcard outputs (not to a Master buss).
In the inspector, switch the interleave button to mono and reduce the input gain by around 6dB to
counter the increase in volume when when you switch a stereo signal to mono.
For now mute this buss.
Insert a send on your master buss and route it to your new MONO buss, remembering to switch it to pre-fade.
Now whenever you want to check your mix in mono simply mute the Master buss and un-mute the MONO buss.
Hope this helps.
Hey All-- Great input, thanks! I am looking for an Autatone clone--basically they're too expensive for my budget even if they were still in production. My main purpose for mono is for phase cancellation and comb filtering effects--so this routing will do the job nicely. Thanks all!
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Anderton
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/09 22:55:06
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☄ Helpfulby gswitz 2013/09/11 20:15:30
I always start mixing in mono, i.e., with the panpots centered. Once I've used EQ and level to carve out each instrument's sonic space, so none of them "step on" each other and there's a sense of space, then I start thinking about stereo placement. If the sound is open in mono, it will be even more open and distinct in stereo.
Of course after the mix is in the finishing stages I also check for mono compatibility. But most of the time, it's not an issue if the mix worked originally before moving to stereo.
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jb101
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/10 04:13:46
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@razor - behringer do a couple that are reasonably priced - I've used the C50, which is kind of a clone-of- the-avatone-clone-of-the-Auratone(?).
And cheap too, if you shop around. I know what you mean about budget, but it was money well spent, IMO.
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razor
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/10 10:47:43
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jb101
@razor - behringer do a couple that are reasonably priced - I've used the C50, which is kind of a clone-of- the-avatone-clone-of-the-Auratone(?).
And cheap too, if you shop around. I know what you mean about budget, but it was money well spent, IMO.
I worked at Guitar Center for a while when I was between jobs and learned a bit about Behringer products. Let's just say I'm not a fan. However, the purpose of the smaller mono speaker is to reference your tracks on, small mono (and sometimes cheap) speakers, so I'll look into it. Thanks!
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jb101
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/10 16:17:28
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Fair point. I'm no huge fan myself, either, but I think they have improved a lot recently. I liked the C50a, though, and it seemed very well made. I've also recently used an X32 desk and was impressed.
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razor
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/11 14:35:50
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jb101
Fair point. I'm no huge fan myself, either, but I think they have improved a lot recently. I liked the C50a, though, and it seemed very well made. I've also recently used an X32 desk and was impressed.
I looked up this review. FYI: http://www.soundonsound.c...behringer-c5a-c50a.htm
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doncolga
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/11 19:51:42
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Very interesting thread here. The MixCubes seem to be very well regarded.
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jb101
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/12 18:45:31
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The MixCubes are very good.
@Razor - it was that review that made me try the C50 rather than the C5. I have no issue with the fact that spending more money might give better results, but was giving advice based on the fact that you were working on a budget.
For the money, I DO think the C50 gives you a good alternative/ different "view" of a mix. I have certainly found my mixes improve when A/B-ing with a pair of decent nearfields against a single C50.
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razor
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/12 19:30:49
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jb101
The MixCubes are very good. @Razor - it was that review that made me try the C50 rather than the C5. I have no issue with the fact that spending more money might give better results, but was giving advice based on the fact that you were working on a budget. For the money, I DO think the C50 gives you a good alternative/ different "view" of a mix. I have certainly found my mixes improve when A/B-ing with a pair of decent nearfields against a single C50.
yeah, I think I'll do a little more research on the C50s. Thanks again. BTW--my whole life is on a limited budget ;-)
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jb101
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/13 03:04:34
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doncolga
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/13 07:05:40
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I have an Alesis RA-100 power amp sitting unused so I pulled the trigger on passive Creme MixCubes earlier this week. Those are a good bit less expensive. I know my stuff does not translate as well as I'd like to small systems. For example, hi hats are often way louder than I'd expect; the bass disappears more than it should. I'm really looking forward to checking and adjusting through these.
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fitzj
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/13 09:05:04
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I always thought to hear Mono. You switched the interleave tag on the mains output to mono and turn off a speaker. Is that not MONO?
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doncolga
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/13 21:11:38
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razor
Hey all--
Are there any easy and fast mono auditioning techniques for a stereo mix in X2 that you can share?
What exactly should you be listening for when you check in mono?...that everything can still be heard?
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razor
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/13 21:26:33
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doncolga
razor
Hey all--
Are there any easy and fast mono auditioning techniques for a stereo mix in X2 that you can share?
What exactly should you be listening for when you check in mono?...that everything can still be heard?
You've got the main idea if when you said 'heard' you mean still 'balanced'. If there are any phase cancellations or comb filtering, then when you go mono, instruments in the mix will go in and out of balance--to disappearing altogether. You also need to be aware of sum totaling of two panned instruments increasing the level beyond what sounds balanced/good. At first I didn't see the point of doing mono reference checks. I used to think that I don't care about anyone listening to my tracks in mono--but checking your mix in mono is a good way to check for the above mentioned issues.
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fitzj
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/13 21:33:48
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In a stereo mix its easier I believe to hear say for example three acoustic guitars playing. In a mono mix its much harder to hear the same three guitars. You have to use the EQ to cut out an area for each guitar. Once that is done and then you can hear each one clearly if you switch back to stereo they will sound much better in the mix.
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razor
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Re: Mono Mix Auditions
2013/09/14 03:44:12
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fitzj
In a stereo mix its easier I believe to hear say for example three acoustic guitars playing. In a mono mix its much harder to hear the same three guitars. You have to use the EQ to cut out an area for each guitar. Once that is done and then you can hear each one clearly if you switch back to stereo they will sound much better in the mix.
Yup--you have to carve out a space for each=balance.
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