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Recording in Mono

98.109.108.179
Posted on November 1, 2009 at 21:54:26
latestyle
Audiophile

Posts: 50
Location: NYC
Joined: July 3, 2009
 Sorry, a total rookie question... I'm interested in recording my LPs & 78s. Anyone out there using a mono R2R for recording even stereo records? Is this a stupid idea or can it be made practical? Thanks.

RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 12, 2009 at 08:05:18
Inmate51
Audiophile

Posts: 1219
Joined: July 6, 2005
 Why would you want to do such a thing?

In any case, be aware that you will have phase/cancellation issues when you combine the two stereo channels. Although many older records were mixed with the ability to sound decent when played on a mono source (e.g., AM radio) in mind, there WILL be issues which will degrade the sound as compared to the stereo signal.

Do you have a full-track mono machine, or a two-track mono machine? Just curious.
RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 12, 2009 at 12:23:58
latestyle
Audiophile

Posts: 50
Location: NYC
Joined: July 3, 2009
 Hi, Inmate51... the question was just a hypothetical one. I've been interested in Stellavox machines, but the only ones that I've seen offered recently were all mono versions, so wanted to know if there was a workaround somehow.

Blasphemy in this forum, I know, but I've since abandoned the idea and am going to record my LPs & 78s via computer.

RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 17, 2009 at 07:21:55
Inmate51
Audiophile

Posts: 1219
Joined: July 6, 2005
 Stellavox. Darn fine machines. I love the sp-7. (Except the 10" reel adapter is a little goofy.)

Recording to computer is easy, but be aware of the sound quality of your chain (AD/DA/sound card). These days, I record everything at 24/96 for playback from the computer, and downsample if I want to burn a CD.
RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 17, 2009 at 07:51:33
latestyle
Audiophile

Posts: 50
Location: NYC
Joined: July 3, 2009
 Thanks Inmate 51; do you have a recommendation for a good AD/DA solution which would preserve the analogue sound well?

RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 18, 2009 at 10:07:41
Inmate51
Audiophile

Posts: 1219
Joined: July 6, 2005
 Others here probably are more familiar with various options, and you can also go to the PC Audio forum to ask.

But it really comes down to how much you want to spend. There are some very nice plug-in cards that'll take a line output from your stereo, like M-Audio (reasonably priced) and Lynx (higher priced), and there are outboard units that'll take the same line out, turn it into a Firewire or AES and then go into a card inside the PC. I'm mentally drawing a blank on specific ones, since I've gone the internal card route. I'll think of a couple right after I post this. ;)

hth, though.
Do you hear with only ONE ear? nt, posted on November 11, 2009 at 13:06:20
grhughes
Audiophile

Posts: 1871
Location: Central US
Joined: February 17, 2004
 nt
"I think the journey should be just as enjoyable as the destination." GRH
RE: Do you hear with only ONE ear? nt, posted on November 11, 2009 at 13:31:59
latestyle
Audiophile

Posts: 50
Location: NYC
Joined: July 3, 2009
 Thank you, Confucius. Moving on...

Pros and Cons of Mono reel-to-reel recording., posted on November 3, 2009 at 15:19:35
Bill Thomas
Industry Professional

Posts: 1330
Location: Southern USA
Joined: January 3, 2004
 Advantages include: over 3 dB lower Tape hiss since the entire tape is magnetized with the signal.

Disadvantages include: Substantially more critical head and tape path alignment. Any errors become more difficult to tolerate due to the width of the recorded track.

The advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

When recording a Mono source onto a 2-track (Stereo) tape, those alignment issues become even MORE critical. It is usually better to select just one of the channels as a Mono source.

Hope this helps.

Bill

RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 2, 2009 at 01:08:34
Brian C.
Audiophile

Posts: 807
Location: West Essex, near London
Joined: May 27, 2000
 Don't worry latestyle, you are not alone although it is my favourite CDs that I'm transferring to tape for replay in my mono system rather than vinyl. I find spinning the reels even more relaxing than spinning records.
Must be something to do with entrained alpha waves.....and not having to jump up every 20 minutes (I'm a big spool guy) ;o)

Brian.

RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 2, 2009 at 07:32:44
latestyle
Audiophile

Posts: 50
Location: NYC
Joined: July 3, 2009
 Thanks for the reassurance, Brian. By recording your CDs into your mono deck for your mono system, I guess you're playing back via single speaker configuration? I was wondering if the usage of a mono R2R is viable through playing back through the standard stereo set up?

RE: Recording in Mono, posted on November 2, 2009 at 08:19:40
Brian C.
Audiophile

Posts: 807
Location: West Essex, near London
Joined: May 27, 2000
 Yes, single speaker here. If you want to play your mono recorder through your stereo system you need to feed both channels in parallel from the machine's output jack. You could do this using a Y-splitter - one cable in, two cables out. If the machine is a valve model it may be necessary to add a series resistor in each lead so that it's cathode follower output sees a total of, say, 100k. Unfortunately this will reduce signal level, which may be worth it for low distortion.

If the machine is solid state these resistors are likely not necessary.

Brian.

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