Audio Editing Stereo VS Mono?

[Michael]

For such a long time I would export audio as mono not think much into it other than it sounded fine for me, recently I have started to export audio as stereo, I cannot tell any difference myself but surely there must be some important differences and perhaps one is better than the other. Does anyone know which is best to use or do they both have their uses in specific circumstances? I can imagine that being the case.

What do you use when exporting audio for editing in your audio editor?

 

[Wreckless Eating]

It depends on your input source. If you're filming with something like a rode videomic pro, it outputs dual mono. The left and right channel are the same and it will make no difference if your export is stereo or mono. If you record your audio with a stereo mic to begin with (such as a Zoom H6 with the XY mic), you'll definitely hear a difference.

 

[Michael]

It depends on your input source. If you're filming with something like a rode videomic pro, it outputs dual mono. The left and right channel are the same and it will make no difference if your export is stereo or mono. If you record your audio with a stereo mic to begin with (such as a Zoom H6 with the XY mic), you'll definitely hear a difference.

Thank you for the explanation, that is most likely why I didnt notice any difference. I am looking to be getting a Zoom H4N soon but not sure if theres something better out there with a similar price tag.

 

[Andrew Flint]

Rode makes a microphone called the Rode Videomic Stereo, it records stereo sound, obviously.

The problem is, stereo mics aren't great for everything and neither at Shotgun mics.

Shotgun mics are great for interviews or video where you only want to record sound from the same direction that the camera is pointing in.

Stereo microphones are great for scenic sound, music, or recording something where you want the sound to change from one speaker to another while listening back (for example, recording a car driving past).

So it all depends on what do you want to record?

 

[Wreckless Eating]

Thank you for the explanation, that is most likely why I didnt notice any difference. I am looking to be getting a Zoom H4N soon but not sure if theres something better out there with a similar price tag.

If you can afford it, look into the Zoom H5. It's priced between the H4n and the H6, but can use all of the capsules of the H6 as well as having a suspended XY capsule of its own.

 

[Michael]

Rode makes a microphone called the Rode Videomic Stereo, it records stereo sound, obviously.

The problem is, stereo mics aren't great for everything and neither at Shotgun mics.

Shotgun mics are great for interviews or video where you only want to record sound from the same direction that the camera is pointing in.

Stereo microphones are great for scenic sound, music, or recording something where you want the sound to change from one speaker to another while listening back (for example, recording a car driving past).

So it all depends on what do you want to record?

I use a shotgun mic most of the time, I have the videomic but it really needs upgrading.

If you can afford it, look into the Zoom H5. It's priced between the H4n and the H6, but can use all of the capsules of the H6 as well as having a suspended XY capsule of its own.

Thanks, I will check it out, I had only saw two versions of Zoom recorders the H4N and the H1 I believe it is called.

 

[Andrew Flint]

I use a shotgun mic most of the time, I have the videomic but it really needs upgrading.



Thanks, I will check it out, I had only saw two versions of Zoom recorders the H4N and the H1 I believe it is called.

If you're using the VideoMic, have you looked into the VideoMic Pro?

Otherwise.. why do you feel the need to upgrade? Most big youtubers use the VideoMic Pro and it sounds great.

 

[Michael]

If you're using the VideoMic, have you looked into the VideoMic Pro?

Otherwise.. why do you feel the need to upgrade? Most big youtubers use the VideoMic Pro and it sounds great.

I need a new mount for it because those elastic bands have almost all snapped now on top of that I want a mic that produces less noise. I know I could go for the Rycote mount which is tonnes better. I am not sure if theres anything better out there that reduces noise. I know you can remove it in post but I would like the convenience of a mic that produces recordings with less prominent noise. I am not sure if it is possible to be honest but that is what my ideal mic would be like. Anything that decreases time spent in post would be good.

I have looked at the VideoMic Pro but it seems very similar to the VideoMic version that said I dont have any experience at all with the pro, I believe it was the wire that put me off the pro version with it being so thin if I remember correctly.

 

[Andrew Flint]

I need a new mount for it because those elastic bands have almost all snapped now on top of that I want a mic that produces less noise. I know I could go for the Rycote mount which is tonnes better. I am not sure if theres anything better out there that reduces noise. I know you can remove it in post but I would like the convenience of a mic that produces recordings with less prominent noise. I am not sure if it is possible to be honest but that is what my ideal mic would be like. Anything that decreases time spent in post would be good.

I have looked at the VideoMic Pro but it seems very similar to the VideoMic version that said I dont have any experience at all with the pro, I believe it was the wire that put me off the pro version with it being so thin if I remember correctly.

I've got many friends that use the Pro, they all said the same about the wire when they first got it, but none of them have had a problem with it.

It's also got the audio gain of up to +20Db which is very useful while using it on a DSLR, which is why it's way better than the standard videomic, if you want to keep the simplicity of not having to sync audio in post I would get the VideoMic Pro.

I'm saving up to get one at the moment as it's just a standard mic for any professional DSLR work. Just make sure you use manual audio gain control inside your camera otherwise when you aren't speaking it will boost the audio and make loads of noise. That might be why you're having a problem at the moment.

 

[Michael]

I've got many friends that use the Pro, they all said the same about the wire when they first got it, but none of them have had a problem with it.

It's also got the audio gain of up to +20Db which is very useful while using it on a DSLR, which is why it's way better than the standard videomic, if you want to keep the simplicity of not having to sync audio in post I would get the VideoMic Pro.

I'm saving up to get one at the moment as it's just a standard mic for any professional DSLR work. Just make sure you use manual audio gain control inside your camera otherwise when you aren't speaking it will boost the audio and make loads of noise. That might be why you're having a problem at the moment.

I will have to check that out, I havent touched the audio settings on the camera in a long time. What I was considering was getting a Zoom recorder and recording into that using the videmic for the time being until I upgrade the mic. Would I notice a difference recording into the Zoom from the videomic rather than have the camera process the audio?