Recording mono from stereo virtual inst. source?

[RockNRoll]

Hello all,

This is a general question I had regarding choosing between stereo or mono output when using virtual instruments/synths. For example, when using an application like Stylus RMX that has numerous kick grooves, one would probably want to ultimately print it as a mono track. However, Stylus RMX only seems to output in stereo, as do a lot of other virtual instruments in general it seems. In such a case, I may just simply set the Stylus RMX stereo output to bus 1-2, and then record-enable a new mono track to record just one of those channels, in this case, either bus 1 or bus 2.

My first question is: Is there anything wrong or incorrect in using this method to record a mono track from the stereo source of Stylus RMX?

I guess I could technically just record the kick groove as a stereo audio track rather than mono, however, for mixing purposes or for making the kick track seem more solid and focused, would it better that certain musical parts such as a kick or a bass line be ultimately recorded in mono?

Thanks for any feedback and insight!

[resolectric]

Just recording one channel (Left or Right) from a Stereo signal source you are, in fact, getting half-stereo into a Mono track, wich may not translate properly.
To obtain a complete translation of the Stereo source into Mono you should add the two Stereo channels and sum them into one Stereo track.
If you can't find a way to do this by routing i suggest you record to a Stereo track and then convert the Stereo file into Mono. It'll be a sum of both channels.


Technical considerations apart, wether or not a Bass or Kick track should be Mono depends a lot on the final result.
I record Kick with one Mic but i know it's presence will be felt in other Mics as well, and i record Bass with Mics, DI and Line, simultaneously.
I usually place either sound close to center but never in the precise center. So, i put them in Stereo.

When mastering to vinyl it is only natural that the cutter will reduce Stereo width below a certain frequency (sometimes everything below 330Hz is just "Mono'ed" to avoid cutting problems with the grooves becoming too wide or too irregular in width, that would cause the needle to jump track or to move somewhat erratically causing additional rumble, but... such problems do not exist with CD or any type of digital media.
So, you can have all your Bass and Kick in Stereo, wide Stereo even.

Now, if that will work with DJ's in clubs where the PA system is Mono (or half-stereo, as is often the case) it's a risk you have to decide upon.