Stereo Vocals - Opinions and advice

[duck]

(I couldn't find anything relating to this exact q, so sorry if there's a thread already)

I'm remixing a mate's tune at the moment. They've recorded the vocals in stereo with two (different) mics.

On my mix when I mono it, the vocals disappear a bit losing a lot of their volume and power.

I've tried narrowing the vocals a bit, which deals with the problem to some extent, but this kinda compromises the (fantastic) way the vocals sound when played back in sterero.

I know this is always a bit of a trade off, but how important is mono-compatibility these days? Is the old thing about most clubs systems being dual mono really still true?

If anyone has any tips on getting a bit more mono compatibility without losing too much of the stereo sheen on the vocals that's be a big help.

(although I guess what I really want is someone to tell me "screw mono" cos it sounds great in stereo!)

cheers....

[Cubicle]

Well depends how the vocals where recorded and with what mics. (Cardioide, super-cardioide etc)
I honestly don't see why you want the vocals in mono tho, maybe I'm missing something.
It also depends on how they were recorded (Mid-Side/ X-Y etc)

[duck]

ah right- I don't want them in mono at all really, but I've got the impression that it's kinda useful for a mix to work when played back in stereo AND mono.

I've just heard (repeatedly) that a lot of club soundsystems play back in 2 x mono rather than in stereo. So if the vocals are a lot quieter in the mix (to the point it sounds bad) when it's played back in mono, that makes me a bit worried.

Maybe that's wrong, or out of date information - which is great, cos they sound a lot better without making the compromise.

I'm just not sure whether it matters that the mix sounds a bit of a mess played back in mono or not, and if there's a way to fix that without marring how it sounds when it's played back in stereo.

[Augment]

I wouldnt worry about making them mono, as far as I know, most systems play stereo today

[duck]

cheers - that's kinda what I was hoping tbh, it makes the whole mix feel a bit flat when I tried the compromise solution....

[e-motion]

Try freq splitting the vocals in 2 bands and mono the lower band (but instead of mixing the 2 sides when making it mono, use only one of the channels). Don't know exactly how you would do it since this depends on the DAW. Play arround with the frequency crossover and test in mono.

If it: 1) Sounds good in mono and 2) Still sounds good this way then keep it. If not, just ignore it and keep it stereo!

[blinx]

Who actualy does the mono thing? The "pros" i follow dont seem to worry about it? in fact some use the phasing to there advantage.f

[Today]

yeah that whole thing is bollocks if u ask me
stereo has been the standard for master recordings for decades

[blinx]

Right lol its almost another HAMvst joke that just makes begginners worry about the wrong things lol