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Gear / Technical Help => Ask The Tapers => Topic started by: Cheesecadet on November 22, 2018, 11:41:16 PM

Title: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Cheesecadet on November 22, 2018, 11:41:16 PM
Basically considering mixpre vs  mixpreM . MixpreM is $100 less but only does mono files, AAC, and stereo render whatever that means.

I assume if mono files only I could just enter into DAW as a stereo files and edit from there?
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: heathen on November 22, 2018, 11:47:43 PM
I assume if mono files only I could just enter into DAW as a stereo files and edit from there?

Yeah.  It would add only a matter of seconds to your workflow, probably. 
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Twenty8 on November 24, 2018, 05:24:15 AM
I'm also curious about the differences from a taper perspective.  Next recorder purchase will be a Sound Devices, but the 6M stats are throwing me a curve.  Still leaning toward Pre6 rather than 6M.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: fsulloway on November 24, 2018, 08:27:40 AM
FWIW, I know of quite a few folks who record in mono instead of a stereo pair as a matter of preference.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Walstib62 on November 25, 2018, 07:54:59 PM
I record in mono. You get twice the runtime before the files reach the 2GB split point. Also, I prefer to post process in mono and then export to either stereo or 5.1.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: tim in jersey on November 25, 2018, 08:38:23 PM
I record in mono. You get twice the runtime before the files reach the 2GB split point.

This. Especially when doing 4+ tracks.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: opsopcopolis on November 25, 2018, 10:31:33 PM
Also, I prefer to post process in mono and then export to either stereo or 5.1.

Why is this? I understand the tracking part, but I would want to process in stereo because I don't really want my channels to be processed independently
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Walstib62 on November 27, 2018, 05:23:44 PM
Also, I prefer to post process in mono and then export to either stereo or 5.1.

Why is this? I understand the tracking part, but I would want to process in stereo because I don't really want my channels to be processed independently

I almost always record multitrack. I need the flexibility available with processing mono tracks.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: opsopcopolis on November 27, 2018, 09:31:20 PM
Also, I prefer to post process in mono and then export to either stereo or 5.1.

Why is this? I understand the tracking part, but I would want to process in stereo because I don't really want my channels to be processed independently

I almost always record multitrack. I need the flexibility available with processing mono tracks.

You mic-ing individual instruments? Honestly just curious. If I'm doing full multis obviously I'll do everything mono, but if I'm doing stereo pairs in a concert setting I don't feel the need
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: noahbickart on November 27, 2018, 10:51:28 PM
I own a mixpre6 which records in polywave files of up to 8 tracks.

I never remove the sd card from the machine and use a usb-c cable to see the data on the card through my macbook pro.

Using the wave agent application I can manipulate the polywaves into whatever configuration of files I want. 1, 2, 4, etc track files are easily created from the data on the card.

I just don't understand why anyone has a problem with polywaves. 
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: morst on November 28, 2018, 12:54:36 PM
I just don't understand why anyone has a problem with polywaves.


Can't FLAC them directly.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Walstib62 on November 28, 2018, 08:16:06 PM
Also, I prefer to post process in mono and then export to either stereo or 5.1.

Why is this? I understand the tracking part, but I would want to process in stereo because I don't really want my channels to be processed independently

I almost always record multitrack. I need the flexibility available with processing mono tracks.

You mic-ing individual instruments? Honestly just curious. If I'm doing full multis obviously I'll do everything mono, but if I'm doing stereo pairs in a concert setting I don't feel the need


This is clearly much ado about nothing. If one is only recording a stereo pair,  then the choice to process as 2 mono tracks or as a stereo file generally makes no difference. When I record 2 channels only, I usually process the stereo file as is without splitting it to mono.  There would be a number of reasons why 1 of the stereo tracks would need to be processed separately, but that is another topic entirely.
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: opsopcopolis on November 28, 2018, 11:54:57 PM
Also, I prefer to post process in mono and then export to either stereo or 5.1.

Why is this? I understand the tracking part, but I would want to process in stereo because I don't really want my channels to be processed independently

I almost always record multitrack. I need the flexibility available with processing mono tracks.

You mic-ing individual instruments? Honestly just curious. If I'm doing full multis obviously I'll do everything mono, but if I'm doing stereo pairs in a concert setting I don't feel the need


This is clearly much ado about nothing. If one is only recording a stereo pair,  then the choice to process as 2 mono tracks or as a stereo file generally makes no difference. When I record 2 channels only, I usually process the stereo file as is without splitting it to mono.  There would be a number of reasons why 1 of the stereo tracks would need to be processed separately, but that is another topic entirely.

That's what I was getting at, thanks. On the same page. I usually assume discussions on this board are about stereo tapes and multis
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: aaronji on November 29, 2018, 04:07:39 AM
I just don't understand why anyone has a problem with polywaves.

Can't FLAC them directly.

Not in TLH, but you can with the FLAC command line tool.  Many of the editing software packages support it also.

Basically considering mixpre vs  mixpreM .

If I recall correctly, one feature that is not supported on the M versions is the Wingman remote control app, if that is important to you. 
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Cheesecadet on November 29, 2018, 10:05:15 AM
For this reason I will be likely getting the Mixpre3.  Rarely do I ever take board feeds and I like making 3 channel recordings.

Does anyone know of a PFA style XLR connector that terminates in a microdot connector?  My hope is to run a Center channel Omni in addition to whatever pair of mics I will be running for outdoor festivals
Title: Re: Pros/Cons of poly was vs mono files?
Post by: Gutbucket on November 29, 2018, 10:37:46 AM
I typically record to 2ch stereo files (recorder writing 2, 3 or 4 of them for 4, 6 or 8 channels total) simply because I can listen directly to each pair in stereo via a software player without having to loading them into an editor.  Sometimes if I want to avoid file splits I'll switch to recording mono files to double the record time before the auto-split, mostly just for easier file management at a fests where it's nice to have only a single file set for each act, and some of the acts might be doing 2hr+ sets.