Mono and stereo

About mono and stereo output

Fractal Audio's effects sound gloriously in stereo. However, when it comes to FOH sound (PA), stereo separation may not always translate well to a live audience. People seldom are in the right spot to hear both sides equally well. Also, many PA systems are dual mono.

To configure the device for mono or stereo output, according to the Axe-Fx III Owner's Manual:

Stereo 

No special settings required

Half-Stereo 

Leaving the unit in its default stereo configuration but connecting only one (Left) output results in a “half‐stereo” setup. This works fine, aside from the exceptions such as ping-pong, panning, etc). No special settings required

Dual Mono 

Sonically, this is identical to half-stereo, with the same limitations, except that mono signal is produced at both the left and right jacks so you can connect to two monitors. To switch to dual mono, go to Setup > I/O > Audio and set Mode for the desired output to “COPY L->R”

Summed Mono 

Left and right channels are added together resulting in an identical mono signal at both left and right outputs. This has the advantage of not discarding half of the sound, but summing has its own issues. For example, short delays or phase differences between channels can result in strange artifacts or even total cancellation. To switch to summed mono, Setup > I/O > Audio and set Output Mode for the desired output to “SUM L+R”

A simple method to switch between mono and stereo output, is to set up one channel of the Cab block for stereo output, and another channel for mono.

Read I/O connectivity and levels for more information.

Requirements for stereo output

For stereo output:

• The preset must contain at least one stereo effect, and
• The signal is not summed to mono before entering the output section, and
• The output mode of the device must be set to Stereo in SETUP, and
• Left/Right outputs must both be connected to a stereo audio system.

When connecting the left and right outputs of the processor to a mixer, make sure that the two channel strips are hard-panned to left and right.

Most Factory presets are designed for stereo output.

Requirements for mono output

For mono output:

• Sum the signal on the grid to mono, or
• Set Output Mode in SETUP to one of the mono settings: "Sum L+R" or "Copy L > R", or
• Connect only the left or right output to the amplification system or mixer, or
• Set the audio system to mono.

Be aware that some mono configurations may result in phase cancellation or comb filtering, see below.

Effects: mono or stereo

Blocks such as Flanger, Chorus and Phaser are mono by default. Use the parameter LFO Phase to switch these to stereo.

Everything before an Amp block or Drive block will always be summed to mono. To keep a stereo signal before the Amp block stereo, use two Amp blocks in parallel paths, if the device supports this, and adjust Input Select and Balance to make each block handle one side of the signal.

When placing a Cab block at the end of the grid, the output signal will be summed to mono, unless the Cab is operating in stereo (both input and output). If a Cab block is operating in stereo but is followed by a mono effect, such as a Drive, the resulting signal will also be summed to mono.

Left is left, Right is right

If you want to make sure that Left=Left and Right=Right, just turn the Balance parameter in an engaged block on the grid to left and right and listen to the source of the sound.

Or run the Ping Pong Delay: the first repeat should be heard through the LEFT channel.

Stereo Enhancer block

Read Enhancer block for more information.

Panner effect

The Panner effect (Tremolo/Panner block) pans the signal left and right, just like a ping pong delay.

Phase cancellation and comb filtering

Phase cancellation 

When two 100% identical audio signals of opposite phase are merged, the result is complete silence.

Comb filtering 

Summing two identical audio signals with one slightly delayed, makes the sound hollow, thin and glassy.

You need to be careful of phase cancellation and comb filtering when summing a stereo signal (preset) to mono, if it contains effects which invert phase or shift time alignment.

FRACTAL AUDIO QUOTES

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[1] Hollowness means phase cancellation which typically arises from collapsing to mono somewhere or somehow having the same signal slightly delayed added in somewhere.

To avoid phase cancellation when summing a stereo signal to mono:

• Don't use the Enhancer block in Classic Mode.
• Don't use Phase Reverse in the Delay block.
• Use Output Mode Copy L > R instead of Sum L+R in SETUP.

For more information see:

• SAE Online: Mono Compatibility and Phase Cancellation
• Universal Audio: Understanding Audio Phase and Correcting Issues