Recording mono from stereo output (applies to VG99 and GP10)

Started by pasha811, September 24, 2022, 11:21:10 AM

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pasha811

I am slowly changing my setup preparing for Apple M1 when my main machine, an iMac 2013 eventually dies.
I have ditched the FW audio card Behringer FCA202 for an USB one with more capabilities Behringer U-Phoria HD 204. I have a Behringer Mixer Xenix 802. JV1010,VG99 are connected in stereo to the mixer via stereo channels.THe mono channels sometimes are used to connect GP10 in stereo.
In turn the mixer is connected to the audio card in stereo. That gives me plenty of options: 

#1 Record in stereo the VG99 in Ableton Live
#2 Record in stereo the JV1010 in Ableton Live
#3 Record in stereo (premixed) VG99 and JV1010 Audio output in Ableton Live
#4 By using balance I can panpot hard left the JV1010 and hard right the VG99. Record both in separate channels when I need post production in Ableton Live
#5 Record VG99 mono (I select only channel 1 in Ableton Live)

The question is about #4 and #5. I am no sound engineer so I'd like to know if when doing #4 I dangerously sum the two VG99 and JV1010 channels in to one by using balance (hard pan pot L / R). Is this ok?
About #5 am I missing some VG99 sound and nuance when Balance center I record only one channel in the DAW? is the VG99 output the same (I do not use stereo chorus or stereo delay)?

Thanks
Pasha
 
 
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kenact

By recording a stereo out to a mono track, you are, by definition, summing the channels. If I were going to do that, I would take a mono out from the devices. In the case of the VG-99 and JV1010, I would use the L/MONO outputs on both.
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pasha811

Thanks,

So summing is to avoid as it can bring distortion right?

Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

kenact

Quote from: pasha811 on September 24, 2022, 11:39:52 PMThanks,

So summing is to avoid as it can bring distortion right?


Using L/MONO is a summed signal. If you don't sum the output of a stereo signal, you lose part of that signal. Summing will not introduce distortion. Incorrect gain staging will introduce distortion.
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
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pasha811

Quote from: kenact on September 25, 2022, 01:04:05 AMUsing L/MONO is a summed signal. If you don't sum the output of a stereo signal, you lose part of that signal. Summing will not introduce distortion. Incorrect gain staging will introduce distortion.

It gets complicated. So VG99 output L/Mono is already a summed signal. Then when from the mixer I put the balance knob on one side in a mixer stereo Channel I am summing the signal but if I hook the VG99 in a stereo Channel and i record only one I loose signal. Right?
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/

kenact

Quote from: pasha811 on September 25, 2022, 01:53:32 AMIt gets complicated. So VG99 output L/Mono is already a summed signal. Then when from the mixer I put the balance knob on one side in a mixer stereo Channel I am summing the signal but if I hook the VG99 in a stereo Channel and i record only one I loose signal. Right?
If you input a mono signal (L/MONO) into a stereo channel panned all the way right or left, you are not summing that signal. It is already summed. You cannot sum a MONO signal. Your second statement is true.
Godin Session & Montreal FTP, LGXT, LGX SA, Redline, ACS, A12, A11, A10, A4
Danoblaster Baritone w/GK-3
Gretsch Nashville, Viking
Fender Strats
Fret King Supermatic
Larrivee DV03RE
Parker Midi Fly
Seagull, S&P 12
VOX Phantom XII
GR-55, 33, 30, 20, GI-20, RC-50, US-20, VG-99, VP-7
Sentient 6
Cyr 7

gumtown

I would bypass the mixer out of the scenario if/where possible, and record directly into the audio interface.
It will eliminate some noise/hiss.
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pasha811

Quote from: kenact on September 25, 2022, 02:12:45 AMIf you input a mono signal (L/MONO) into a stereo channel panned all the way right or left, you are not summing that signal. It is already summed. You cannot sum a MONO signal. Your second statement is true.

Got if thanks!
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pasha811

Quote from: gumtown on September 25, 2022, 03:41:48 AMI would bypass the mixer out of the scenario if/where possible, and record directly into the audio interface.
It will eliminate some noise/hiss.

Thanks! Luckily hiss/noise is not an issue so far and that setup when used correctly (thanks for help) gives me more flexibility. I could use a 4 channel Audio Interface as the U-Phoria 404 HD but that will mean that I will always record in stereo (wav will be double the size) and when I need to record Bass Guitar I need to make room in one channel. Ideally a 6 to 8 input Audio card will make it. Got to think about it. 
Listen to my music at :  http://alonetone.com/pasha/