Noticeably Different Mono/Stereo Mixes

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Frank Irons, Oct 17, 2018.

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  1. Frank Irons

    Frank Irons Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Minneapolis, MN
    I'm trying to show to a friend how different mono mixes could be from stereo mixes. Just add some examples where there's a clear and noticeable difference between the mono and stereo mixes. The differences can be things like alternate vocals or extra instruments, or just simple things like differences in power and clarity. Thanks!
     
  2. Zapruder

    Zapruder Just zis guy, you know?

    Location:
    Ames, IA
    The Beatles. There ya go.
     
  3. mahanusafa02

    mahanusafa02 Forum Resident

    Location:
    UK
    Hate to do it (not really), but “Paperback Writer” and “Help!” cover all those requirements.

    EDIT: @Zapruder beat me to it :righton:
     
  4. Tim Lookingbill

    Tim Lookingbill Alfalfa Male

    Location:
    New Braunfels, TX
  5. Psychedelic Sounds

    Psychedelic Sounds Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Zealand
    Pink Floyd - The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

    2007 Mono/Stereo remaster CD

    There are pronounced differences between the Mono and Stereo.
    In the Mono:
    The organ is more pronounced and the sound effects are clearer.
    The album sounds more psychedelic.

    Astronomy Domine - The talking is louder and phasing
    Power R Toc H - You can hear the crazy voices
    Interstellar Overdrive - The organ is more pronounced
     
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2018
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  6. notesofachord

    notesofachord Riding down the river in an old canoe

    Location:
    Mojave Desert
    Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow

    Wall of reverb on the stereo.
    Dry and powerful on the mono.
     
  7. team2

    team2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    TN (By Way of NY)
    From that 2007 remaster, I've always preferred the straightforward rock of "Lucifer Sam" in mono, yet the trippy outer space vibe of "Interstellar Overdrive" in stereo.
     
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  8. George P

    George P Notable Member

    Location:
    NYC
    Sly and the Family Stone - GH

    Use AF SACD for mono
     
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  9. Driver8

    Driver8 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Maine
    I was never a fan of the album, until I heard the mono version - Zoinks!
     
  10. ndoheny

    ndoheny Forum Resident

    Location:
    Sacramento, Ca
    One of my favorites in showing the difference in a stereo and mono track is Don't Pass Me By on the White Album. While always a skip track for me in stereo, in mono it is a totally different beast and one of my favorite mixes.
     
  11. Evan

    Evan Senior Member

    Reverb to distortion. Probably makes it near 'bout impossible to master as anything but flat off the mastertape.
     
  12. RedRoseSpeedway

    RedRoseSpeedway Music Lover

    Location:
    Michigan
    It’s fun when the mixes are different. Just recently got Piper on CD in mono and the difference is stark! Like the vocals on Flaming
     
  13. LouieG

    LouieG Forum Resident

    Early Bee Gees had several different mixes for mono and stereo versions.
    "Words", "I've Gotta Get A Message To You" (5 different mixes), "Idea" (different lead vocal). The mono "New York Mining Disaster 1941" single was a completely different recording than the stereo version on the LP.
     
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  14. Baldo

    Baldo Forum Resident

    Location:
    Butte, Montana
    Quite a few Beatles songs....

    “Help!” - different vocal take, recorded at CTS studio, plus no tambourine (NOTE: I may have that one backwards)

    “Matchbox” - alternate lead guitar (well, it’s on the stereo mix as well, but it’s buried deep in one of the channels. You have to be hard panned with quality headphones to hear it)

    “Tomorrow Never Knows” - tape loops mixed in at different places, ADT on backwards guitar lead

    “I’m Only Sleeping” - both mono mixes have the backwards guitar faded in at different places; I would love a remix with all the backwards guitar parts in.

    “What Goes On” - Guitar part missing at the end

    “Money (That’s What I Want)” - no guitar and snare at intro, no piano slide at beginning of first instrumental break, and you can hear Ringo clicking his sticks in the intro.

    “Please Please Me” - alternate take with John’s vocal flub and giggle (as well as George playing the main harmonica riff differently following the “why do you make me Blue” line, same as he would do live) used for stereo mix

    “Thank You Girl” - extra harmonica bits

    “From Me To You” - stereo mix is an under dub without harmonica in intro

    “Helier Skelter” - missing the coda with Ringo’s “I got blisters on my fingers!”

    “Don’t Pass Me By” - sped up, making Ringo sound like Mickey Mouse

    “Your Mother Should Know” - the entire mix is doused in tape flange

    Most of the differences between the mono and stereo Pepper have been negated by the new remix....

    Other tracks have minor differences, such as double-tracking (or lack thereof), longer/shorter fade times, different effects, etc.
     
  15. Baldo

    Baldo Forum Resident

    Location:
    Butte, Montana
    The mix really isn’t that different from any of the stereo mixes, but I think a good cut of the mono “I Want To Hold Your Hand” would be a revelation.
     
  16. Drifter

    Drifter AAD survivor

    Location:
    Vancouver, BC, CA
    I never thought much of the Temptations' "The Way You Do The Things You Do" till finally hearing the MONO hit mix:



    I had only ever heard the STEREO mix which is pretty anemic. The silly lyrics stand out with the wide stereo separation and poor blend (bass guitar too quiet, brass too loud) and the vocals sound sloppy. It's like listening to a completely different song.

    Here's the crappy stereo mix:

    The TEMPTATIONS - The Way You Do The Things You Do / Ain't Too Proud To Beg - stereo
     
  17. bellyshere

    bellyshere Forum Resident

    Jefferson Airplane mono is vastly different and i prefer the mono of that. The Beatles obviously and i like hearing the different versions. Sgt Pepper's sounds so vibrant in mono to my ears. The guitars sound wonderful on it.
     
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