2. analog
  3. 161977-4331

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


herman
tablejockey
4,080 posts
 
Enjoy it. Get some Beatles/Stones mono LP's if you're a fan. It's a breath of fresh air to hear those great songs coming from the center of your speakers instead of L&R.

I wish all my LP's were mono. Some mixes are just downright awful.
Even on Uber systems some stereo LP's are terrible.
herman OP
2,290 posts
 
doorbell just rang. UPS with my copy of the 3 LP set Beatles "Mono Masters"
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Funny to ask here and to buy what's in the reviews online.

I can't comment on Miyajima mono.  

Anyway, Miyajima stereo cartridges are fantastic (got my Miyajima Kansui here) and I have not yet owned any MONO record that better than Stereo. I think I prefer stereo anyway.


 


herman OP
2,290 posts
 
Funny to ask here and to buy what's in the reviews online.

how so "funny" ?? You find it odd to seek out as many opinions as I can before I buy ??

what other sources of information would you suggest ?? Believe it or not, there aren't any bricks and mortar dealers within 200 miles of here and those that exist don't deal with analog very much if at all  .. so online reviews, online opinions here, online opinions on other forums, online whatever is all I have to go with. 

I have not yet owned any MONO record that better than Stereo.

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. 
lewm
13,742 posts
 
Elliott, I have two recordings of Julie Christy's "Something Cool", both on Capitol.  One is stereo and the other is mono.  If you listen carefully, you can detect that Julie does not even sing the songs in exactly the same way on both LPs, and there are differences in the musical lines.  So, what you say is true, and I have read it elsewhere.  In some cases, during those transition years, studios made two entirely different recordings, one for each mode.
More to discover