@herman Grace F14 LC-OFC MONO is one of the best mono MM I have ever heard, many original styli from Grace or new from SoundSmith
Mono vinyl, how do you know if really single channel mono or if stereo recorded to mono
I'm exploring the possibility of getting a mono cartridge.
Please, I am not trying to start a debate about whether or not that is a good idea. I simply have a question about monophonic records.
How can you tell which records are truly mono and which are actually stereo with 2 identical channels to simulate mono?
I know that for all mono records before stereo there was only one channel cut laterally into the record . When stereo came out some so called mono recordings were actually 2 channels just like a stereo record with both horizontal and vertical information but L and R were the same so ended up as mono. I also know that a "true mono" cartridge only has output from the horizontal motion and that the stylus size is different than a stereo stylus, which means according to many aficionados of mono recordings, in an ideal world you would want a cartridge optimized for mono to play true mono records
again, I do not want to debate the pros and cons of this, just want the facts about the records. If you want to debate something else please start another thread
thanks
Please, I am not trying to start a debate about whether or not that is a good idea. I simply have a question about monophonic records.
How can you tell which records are truly mono and which are actually stereo with 2 identical channels to simulate mono?
I know that for all mono records before stereo there was only one channel cut laterally into the record . When stereo came out some so called mono recordings were actually 2 channels just like a stereo record with both horizontal and vertical information but L and R were the same so ended up as mono. I also know that a "true mono" cartridge only has output from the horizontal motion and that the stylus size is different than a stereo stylus, which means according to many aficionados of mono recordings, in an ideal world you would want a cartridge optimized for mono to play true mono records
again, I do not want to debate the pros and cons of this, just want the facts about the records. If you want to debate something else please start another thread
thanks
Showing 6 responses by chakster
Actually it’s often a mono master that simulates stereo when pressed in stereo. Remember those simulated stereo when drums are in one channel and vocals are in another channel? This is how they make stereo out of mono master. This is not a true stereo record. Regarding stereo to mono: You can do that with one button on phono preamp (if you have mono switch). What’s the point to make mono press out of stereo master ? Why ? The reason labels released stereo from mono is because stereo was something new and mono masters already recorded in mono earlier. Mono press does not have vertical modulation of the groove, only lateral. You can play it with one speaker. P.S. If you’re referring to stereo cutter head used to cut mono lacquer than it’s true, most of the modern mono records cut with stereo cutter head as far as I know. State of the art mono records (made from mono master) are old, vintage. Those are true mono. If they are not pre 50’s then you can play them with modern stereo cartridge. You can also play them with true mono cartridge if you wish, but it’s not necessary to have conical tip for mono, actually advanced profile of the stylus tip is a benefit for the sound quality anyway (even for old mono, except for pre 50’s era mono with wider groove) and life span is much longer, also less record wear. Advanced stylus profile wasn’t there when mono was a standard. |
If you’re using MM mono cartridge then a cartridge generator must be true mono, but you can add stereo stylus with advanced profile (or any profile you need for different mono records)! Check this thread. If your records are new mono reissues then you don’t need those old mono cartridges with huge conical styli (they are made for mono records pressed before 1950 with wider groove). The first question is pressing then you can choose a cartridge for them. I wouldn’t even buy a re-issues, old mono originals are better. New music rarely recorded in mono. Buy original mono records if you want the best quality in mono. |
I have many records that were recorded mono before stereo existed or was just catching on so no stereo masters exist. .Any stereo version of these is "electronically enhanced" .. tough to see how the stereo version could be better... I’ll let you know. I’ve read review after review and many opinions from those who repeatedly attest that the mono versions of these early recordings especially played with a quality mono cartridge are absolutely better. I have yet to read where mono turned into stereo is better, I’ve yet to hear anybody say that they prefer these older mono recordings played with a stereo cartridge. You’re talking about OLD mono. If mono is the only version (originally recorded in mono) then it’s fine and it’s better to buy mono LP, right. You need only one speaker for those records and it’s OK. But in the 70’s stereo is the way to go, I much prefer original stereo records (not fake stereo). I don’t know why do we need mono today if stereo is available? Who prefer to record in mono today and why? For archivist of very old mono records (when stereo was not available) mono is the right format, but in general real stereo records are absolutely amazing. Maybe it was a bit weight with early stereo, but in the 60s and 70s stereo records are fantastic! P.S. I'm not talking about reissues |
Those funny fake stereo mix is often related to records from the 60's. It's weird when vocal is only in one channel and drums in another channel ans so on. Records from 70's normally recorded and mixed in stereo properly. When we say STEREO it's a proper stereo mix, not a fake early stereo from mono master and stuff like that. |