Bristol_Jonesey

What's all this "Sonar doesn't let me select stereo v mono"?

Step 1 - insert an audio track

Step 2 - from the Input box, SELECT which input you want to record on. They are usually arranged in three's - one for Left, one for Right and one for Stereo. The interleave will be automatically set

Step 3 - plug something into the input you just selected and record!

Sonar has nothing to do with what kind of track is recorded. For example, if you had an audio card that only showed Mono Inputs in the driver, Sonar would never be able to record in Stereo. And vice versa.

You're track is automatically set to Stereo or Mono based off of what the driver says. Sonar couldn't change that if it wanted to.

OK, this is still not working right. I have a mic plugged into one input in the V-Studio interface (in this case #8). I create a track. Sonar does not let me select stereo v mono

It works, as Ive done this over 10,000 times (give or take 9,000).
 
All you need to do is click on the drop down arrow where it says input in the track pane and change it to the single input that your mix is plugged into. Its done all the time. You cant be the only one that can only record in stereo. That would be bizarre

I think we're just arguing semantics here.

Of all the different cards/interfaces I've owned, across multiple version of Sonar, I've always had the ability to select either mono or stereo in the Input Channel.

Like this:


Yep - this is the Realtek chip on my 2nd machine

Left or Right - it doesn't make any difference.

If you do both and combine them you'll get a 6dB increase in level, which could cause clipping, so don't do it.

Your doing it wrong.  You are not changing the input to a mono input. You are changing it to another stereo input. If you change it to a mon o input, you will reocrd a mono track. 1+1 will always equal 2, no matter what. Its the same for your input selection

Skyline_UK

CJaysMusic

CJ, Don,
Help me clarify this.
So do you record vocals to a stereo track (Sonar's default) and then convert the track to mono, i.e just the one waveform line?

A vocal is a mono source when recorded with one mic, so i never ever record a mono source into a stereo track. I record a vocal into a mono track.
 
There is no reason why you should be recording mono source into a stereo track. Mono source records into a mono track and a stereo source recording into a stereo track
 
Cj

This is where I get confused.  If I insert a new track, Sonar doesn't at that 'empty' stage let me define it as a mono track.  So when I then record a vocal the track shows two waveforms, i.e. it's stereo bu default  I can obviously then choose to convert the track to mono now it has content.  Yes, I could first change the input to the track from my RME AIO soundcard to L or R, but that seems a bit odd.  Which one should it be?  Be patient with me, I know I must be missing something simple here!

You select the right or left mono channel depending on which one the mono source is plugged into on your interface.  I generally choose LEFT because that's the one I plug the mic into and on the guitar, my POD has some stereo presets but often the ones I use are simple mono so again I select the LEFT mono. This keeps the track recording in mono. 

If I accidentally allow it to record in stereo.... the mic will only be on the left side of the stereo field while the guitar will record in both Left and right sides since both inputs have source material going in. 


However, recording stereo when I only need mono is a waste of hard drive space so I try to pay close attention to that little detail.






JUST FOR GRINS:  you can switch from mono to stereo in the same track.  Start in Left mono.... stop the recording, and set some punch in points and before you punch in.... delete the highlighted punch in section, then change the input to stereo.... now when the punch in happens it will record separate left and right channels in the track...so it switches from mono to stereo and back.... (ignore that advice unless you just want to see it to see it.... it serves no useful purpose)

skylightron


Should vocals in mono be recorded  L or R?  or do you record them both L, R and then combine them for a stereo sound.

record mono. putting them into a stereo track accomplishes nothing and it doesn't sound "stereo". 


If you want a wider sound.... either use a "stereo widener" such as Ozone has or record the track multiple times (don't clone it) and use a layering of 3 tracks... one in the center up nice and loud and the other two 80% or more panned right and left and turned down pretty low. 

Bristol_Jonesey


Show me an audio card that only lets you record mono.

I might be totally wide of the mark Bub, but I've never seen one, even the lowly Realtek onboard chip gives me loads of options for input selection, including the 3 choices I mentioned previously.

This is the way it is Bristol. It has always been this way. I am not sure what Bub is referring to.

When you record a track, if you record with a mono source--i.e. selecting "Left VS-700 IN 1-2"--then the resulting waveform will be in mono.  In Sonar, you can set the interleave to either mono or stereo, but either way the source material is still mono (see the Sound Forge screenshot, below).  I usually prefer to set the interleave on mono tracks to stereo (as in my screenshot, below), otherwise any effects you apply will also be in mono.  But when you record a mono track, it should default to mono.  (Note: Make sure you're looking at the track interleave and not the master interleave in the Track Inspector.)
 


 

Konradh:  Maybe you could walk us through the process you use from start to finish? 
 
I'm using the VS-700 and never had this trouble.  From what you describe, it sounds like you are recording in stereo but only getting one channel of audio, that's why when you hit the interleave button you hear only one side.  In other words, you're getting a stereo waveform but with sound on only one channel. 
 
Here's my process.
 
1. I create a new audio track by right-clicking an empty space in the Track View and selecting Insert Audio Track.  The track defaults to stereo interleave, and that's fine.  I leave it alone.
 
2. In the new track, I click on the Input dropdown box and select "VS-700 (12 in, 12 out)" -> "Left VS-700 IN 1-2".  In the Track Inspector, I see the Interleave button automatically turn gray, indicating it is now in mono mode.  [If I select stereo inputs instead, like "Stereo VS-700 IN 1-2", the button turns light blue indicating it's in stereo mode.] 
 
If you don't see the same options in your input dropdown menu (as I've mentioned here and in my prior screenshot)--ones that explicitly say "left" or right"--you might need to reinstall the VS-700 driver, as others have mentioned.  They should be there.
 
3.  I arm the track and hit record.  I see a single waveform record in the data area of Track View.  [If I'm recording in stereo, I see a stereo dual waveform, instead.]
 
4. When done recording, I can either leave the interleave at mono, or set it to stereo so any effects I add will be in stereo (even though the original waveform remains mono).  The original mono source material sounds the same either way.
 
Not sure if all this is helping or not, but I hope you get it worked out. 

Iv'e learn't lots from this thread[as embarrassing as that maybe?] THANKS ALL!

Bob P.S. Yes CJ/Konradh you two guys do look incredibly similar,it's almost like same guy different moments[and shades] 

In your case konradh:
Channel 8 is Input 7-8 Right then you will get interleave set to Mono automatically

Makes sense John - that's what I do when I'm forced to record via my desk

While I appreciate the time people are taking to reply, I think everyone is missing what I am saying.  I have a single-mono-one cable-no stereo mic plugged into one single input #8, also called Right 7-8 and Right 7-8 is selected as the track input.  The track records as stereo with one side blank even after I manually change Interleave=Stereo.  If this works for other people with V-Studios, then something is set up wrong in my drivers or something.

And while I ask a lot of questions and am not the world's leading expert, I have been doing studio work for many years and do understand the difference in mono and stereo.  This is a technical issue with Sonar.

Thanks again.

We all know what your saying, but all you need to do is select the correct "Mono" input and youll record a mono track. 
Dont keep repeating the same thing over and over. Change your track input so it only reocrds a mono input. 


Cj

From what I understand Konradh does "select the correct "Mono" input" but still doesn't record a mono track for some reason.

konradh post #57

I have a single-mono-one cable-no stereo mic plugged into one single input #8, also called Right 7-8 and Right 7-8 is selected as the track input.

(emphasis mine)



Konradh, at this point I'd probably post a screenshot of your track input setting, so that people stop going in circles