Is Main Output Stereo (on left channel) the same as Main Output Mono?

BayouTexan · February 17, 2022 at 2:42 AM

When I compare a left track from a stereo recording with Main Output set at Master Stereo there seems to be a slight tonal difference when I compare a track with Main Output set at Master Mono on that same left track. Is this true? It seems that, in stereo mode, the left and right channels share some signals with each other.

paults · February 17, 2022 at 3:10 AM

If there are any effects with stereo content, the left track of Master Stereo would be different than a Master Mono track.

BayouTexan · February 17, 2022 at 4:33 AM

Quote from paults

If there are any effects with stereo content, the left track of Master Stereo would be different than a Master Mono track.

Of course no effects. I think there is a difference from stereo single track to mono track. Small but a difference.

piotrmaj · February 17, 2022 at 4:56 AM

Check panorama setting, maybe one channel is louder? There should be no difference if you don't have stereo effects.

You can do a test: record L and R as two separate mono tracks in your DAW, flip the phase of one of them. If there is silence then they are identical. Otherwise they are different and you'll be able to hear it.