Stereo vs Mono - The Battle Begins

RSVampire · #1 05-23-2001, 05:25 PM

Hey everyone. I've had a question in my head for a while. What sounds better to you, stereo or mono rigs? I've heard people diss the Legacy for the lack of a stereo FX Loop and I've heard other people love the Legacy for it's lack of the stereo FX Loop. I was wondering what the advantages and disadvantages of each type of rig is. Oh and please share your rig with me if you like.

Mesa Engineering · #2 05-24-2001, 11:54 AM

Absolutly is better in stereo because you can hear modulation effects in ambience mode, dual delays, panners, ping pong delays it means that you play a chord and it will sound in both cabs and each repetition in diferent cab, you can do a lot of things that you cant imagine. my icq is 63000654

pri0531 · #3 05-24-2001, 12:13 PM

Stereo is very cool for the reasons that Mesa stated. *I was surprised that the Legacy was not stereo. *The sound of the amp definitely makes up for it. *There is an easy fix if the amp you like is not stereo. Buy two of them. *That is after you pick the money off the "Tree" in your backyard. *
Out,
Gregory *

jay ratkowski · #4 05-24-2001, 12:55 PM

I guess it doesn't matter whether you do stereo or mono if you don't use effects... what are you using?

RSVampire · #5 05-24-2001, 02:32 PM

well right now I'm running dry but I'm saving for a Eventide Eclipse

jay ratkowski · #6 05-24-2001, 02:38 PM

If you're running time-based and modulation effects... stereo is much bettter in a recording enviroment. *You can hear delays pan back and forth... rotating speaker simulators have a much better effect... and many times you can get a fullness to your sound that usually requires overdubs.

As far as live goes. *I'd say just stay simple and go mono. *Unless you have a very well planned out stage show, chances are your audience won't be able to tell you are in stereo... especially after everything goes through the PA. *I'm sure people will disagree... but I feel that even if you could get a noticable stereo seperation going on with your live sound... the general concert-going audience won't notice or care. *Not to insult anyone, just saying that with all the other sound/noise happening, your stereo reverb going at like 53ms isn't going to be that noticable, if at all. *

Pablo · #7 05-24-2001, 04:29 PM

Depends what sounds good to you.
But....If you have two 4x12's on top of each other, stereo FX are not going to be as noticeable if you have one on one side of the room and the other ON the other. And for a gig situation unless it's a massive place where you are going through the PA, stereo is unimportant. But for recording now that's an entirely different sport.

I'll tell you this. If I had an Eventide there would be NO way I'd run in mono.

RSVampire · #8 05-24-2001, 05:32 PM

Yeah you got a point about it going through the PA and small gig's and such...and yes I also know if I bought the Eventide I wouldn't want it in stereo either. I'm lookin it at because of the quality is had on the effects alone. I heard it in Mono at Guitar Center and it sounded great. Probably sounds better in stereo but hey who cares...I'm trying to keep things simple. I don't think panning reverbs and delays are my thing. I think my kinda thing is "delay on....delay off" that kinda thing. So mono is fine for me...I was just wondering where the 2 had differences. If pan delays and reverbs and stuff are the only things then hey I'd stick with my mono rig. Thanx for your help guys.

oooo · #9 05-24-2001, 08:14 PM

Try this... we run our PA in stereo, my rig is mono... I mike my cabinet (2x12) one speaker with a Shure 57 and the other with a Sienhieser (sp?) 421. *We pan one mike hard left and the other hard right. *I control my effects (mono) from my amp (in other words... there is no FX running on my channel, just what I get from my FX loop on my amp). *This really makes a big difference in my sound. *I'm the only electric player and this makes my guitar sound a LOT bigger in the mix. :biggrin:

vwall · #10 05-24-2001, 08:38 PM

to MESA engineering:
this may sound STUPID, but i have been playing for years and though i have 4 4x12 cabintes, i never used them in stereo because all our live venues didnt need it, all PA and stuff so bringing even 1, 4x12 was overkill.
But i have some cool gear that i want to run stereo,
so- how would i configure my Mesa Boogie MK IV head with 2 Marshall cabinets and a Eventide H300 dsx with a Digitech Valve FX to run in stereo *and get all that great stuff i have been missing from the Eventide... Please dont tell me i need a 2 channel amp cause i sold my Mesa Strategy 500 power amp when i quit my band last year

pleeeeeeaase help

scott

If it is too long of a description, please feel free to email me and i can givbe you my # or do it via email

thanks!!

bluenote · #11 05-25-2001, 08:45 AM

to run in stereo you need a power amp to split your signal( or another head).....generally, you take the line out of the head into a power amp which drives 2 cabs( or 4).....its best to place your effects after the power amp to achieve maximum tone.....one speaker out comes from the head and drives a speaker....this is a dry signal.....so you have two wet cabs and one dry....this will create a virtual sound palate

vwall · #12 05-25-2001, 01:32 PM

so what your saying is that dry 12'' speaker turn upsidedown and put under the stage, right??

as far as my Boogie amp goes... i guess it is very limited then!!

ANY ONE wanna trade!!

bluenote · #13 05-25-2001, 02:42 PM

no, you dont need to get rid of your head....just buy a stereo power amp....you can also get a stereo line mixer from bob bradshaw

vwall · #14 05-25-2001, 03:03 PM

I am familiar with bradshaws work. very talented man.
how would i get in contact with him??

scott

shawn · #15 05-26-2001, 01:44 AM

www.customaudioelectronics.com