The River analog outputs

[Johannes]

Hi

I have used The River’s XLR L,R outputs when recording as stereo into my Metric Halo LIO-8 balanced inputs.
What is the best way to record mono? And with those River chorus and FX.
Is the L output the choice? Does left output combined both L,R output with the effects? Summing them to mono?

Johannes

[Baloran]

Good question  !
No sum is made if you connect just one output. It is better to sum the outputs on the external mixer and send a mono to the recorder

[Johannes]

Thank you. The River has so great ins outs  connection possibilities.

So it is easy. I record to my metric halo as a stereo LR enjoying the River FX too and then in the DAW I choice a mono track to record. Correct?
And if I want to record a bass or lead I can do it with a previous method. Correct?

The cable for the 1-8 individual outputs  can be a TS - balanced  XLR cable type?

[KazRemark]

If you just record to a mono track it will record either the L or R input, but won't sum them.  I would record to a stereo track and then use a plug-in to fold this down to mono, most DAW's have something built-in that can do this but there's also free VST's you can get if yours doesn't.

[Johannes]

Thank you KazRemark for the good information.  I checked what the Logic Pro has and now I will try them.

What is the best way to record mono bass from the River.
Currently  I use The River's  XLR L/R  outputs into my audio interface stereo channel input.

I am asking because before the River, I have record only a mono synths.

[KazRemark]

Since Laurent confirmed that connecting a single output will not actually sum the signal from L/R to mono, your best bet is to record the L/R signal into two channels on your audio interface as a stereo track.  Then in Logic you can load the "utility" plug-in, and select the mono checkbox.  This will mix the two channels to a mono signal.  If you'd like to variably control how mono the signal is, you can instead use the "directional mixer" plug-in and then decrease the "spread" control (1.00 = stereo and 0.00 = mono).  The second method is better in my opinion as you can variably control how mono or stereo you want the track to be.

[SugarFree]

why don't you just pan everything (CHORUS, DRY, FX) to the left in the River's mixer, which will effectively make everything mono, and record through the left output?
or pan DRY to the left and CHORUS+FX to the right, which will give you two separate mono tracks for further mixing.

[Johannes]

Thanks KazRemark and SugarFree

Ok. Narrowing the true stereo element by "dir.mix or new true panning pot" from wide to mono makes the stereo element better to fit in the mix spectrum. If I understood correctly? So no need to necessarily convert stereo to mono?  By using true panning or dir.mix the true stereo elements (differences in LR) does not lose the dimensions of the patch?

"Waves" quote:   "Often, stereo instruments fit better if you reduce their width. The narrower they are, the easier it will be to find a unique place---

SugarFree. I check your suggestion. BTW I have tested the panning voices of patch differenty and when playing it sounds really lovely.

EDIT
Conclusion
Now I have learned those basic ways to convert the recorded stereo to mono. And also by using true panning no need to convert to mono when you can narrow the true stereo element. Of course you need to listen what happens. And I also going to use wide River patches in some cases


thank you again

[SugarFree]

to be clear, I meant panning CHO, DRY, FX (S+MIXER: Encoder 2, 4, 6), not panning individual voices via S+PAN

[Johannes]

Yes I understood your guide and I will try it too.  I only mentioned how nice the panorama movements the individual voice pannings offers. Without being too artificial.

BTW I have edited  my previous post.

thanks