Recording Tracks

[spidey901]

Hi Everyone.
I am hoping that someone could help me out.
What kind of tracks should i use for recording, ex.Mono or Stereo
to be more specific.
for drums, keyboards.ex.piano. organ., strings
Horns. ex. sax, trumpets.
Guitar, and percussion,
which one are best for each of these instruments, stereo or mono.
thank you for your help

[spkguitar]

You should use mono tracks for mono sources.

You should use stereo tracks for stereo sources.


Do you know the difference between mono and stereo sources?

[spidey901]

This is what I understand it to mean, dont know if I am correct.
Mono puts the sound in the middle, and stereo pans its left and right. could you give me an example of the sources of each, I would appreciate it very much, forgive me for maybe asking silly questions but I am new to this.
Again thank you for your response.

[spkguitar]

You are incorrect. The definition you are giving is for is for "pan"; it's the way to control where a signal is in a stereo (two channel) audio field.

"Mono" technically means "one". Understand?

Very basically:
A "mono source" would be anything with "one" audio input signal; mic, guitar, bass, etc

A "stereo source" would be anything with a distinct left and right two channel input; synthesizers with L and R outputs, drum machines with L and R inputs, a "stereo" microphone, two microphones set up so that they are capturing two distinct signals to produce a "stereo" effect.



Most music is produced in stereo. That means that the final product that is produced is a two channel audio signal. Providing that two channel signal from many different sources is what mixing is all about, and what you are attempting to learn.

Please don't take offense at this, because none is intended, but it sounds as if you need to do some studying on basic recording. There are tons of great books on the subject, and a few really good resources on the web (for instance www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com). It really would be in your best interest to take some time and learn the basics of audio recording.

[spidey901]

No offense taking, I really appreciate your help and will definetely look into getting some books on the subject, thank you very much, I think I probably was'nt clear on this I am recording using virtual instruments does it matter what kind fo channel I should use, I normally record the kick, snare and bass in Mono using virtual instruments and horns in stereo, also hi hats, i just want to make sure that I am doing it correctly, i pretty understand how it works with real instruments based on the input like you said, but i was not sure sure of how it works using plug in instruments.
thank you

[spkguitar]

If your virtual instrument is outputting mono signals (meaning if it is a "mono source"), you should use mono tracks.

If your virtual instrument is outputting stereo signals (meaning if it is a "stereo source"), you should use stereo tracks.

[spidey901]

Thank you for your patience and help, you're the best man, I really appreciate it