stereo sample to mono (merge, within the mpc)

just wondering if this is possible, I've read the manual but I could only find info about splitting up a stereo file into 2 seperate sections (L / R)

Ofcourse I can transfer the samples to the computer and merge it there but...

u got the xl or the regular one

xl, why? is it only possible on one of the machines? and if so, on which one - and how?

split the stereo file into two (L and R).

Place them on two separate pads.

Program one pad to play the other simultaneously and they will play at the same time.

TicToc wrote:split the stereo file into two (L and R).

Place them on two separate pads.

Program one pad to play the other simultaneously and they will play at the same time.

yeah that will work to a certain degree, but it's only a workaround. as far as i know it can't be done, but what do i know?

Actually now that I think about it, in the CONVERT screen in the XL, I believe theres an option "convert stereo to mono". That would work.

hahahahahahah damn tic

converting stereo to mono is the same thing as splitting the stereo file into L and R, it converts the sound into two new (mono) sounds

sorry, been up all night and my brain isnt working correctly.

Carry on.

TicToc wrote:
Carry on.

i will!

Cheech wrote:hahahahahahah damn tic

converting stereo to mono is the same thing as splitting the stereo file into L and R, it converts the sound into two new (mono) sounds

i thought it was this too... thats the reason why i asked which MPC that you had, cause i got the XL and i know it asks about converting stereo to mono, but i have never used it before

Merging L and R is not a common operation. The audio is similar enough to cause unwanted artifacts in the merge. I can not think of a valid reason to actually mix down the L and R of a sample.

yeah what he said...

Why?!?! Do you want 2 mono samples to be merged anyway?!? The XL can Sample stereo you know..

And when you have 2 Mono samples, you can try what TicToc said.

using only L or R of a (stereo) sample will loose dynamics, it speaks for itself - doesn't it? I mean, there will be data in the right (or left) field which will be lost if you only use one of them, which in some cases can be crucial. thanks for the tip about splitting them up and assigning them, but as someone said earlier in the thread - it's only a workaround.

thanks anyway!

edit: the reason why I want them in mono, is becase I don't want to use 2 outs (waste of outs) when sending out an kick or snare which I need to run seperate, especially when sending out to a compressor. I don't want to use 4 compressors channels (2 stereo) just because the sample happens to be run in stereo, when a kick or a snare (usually) doesn't need to be run in stereo - though, you still want the dynamics - that's where the merge comes handy. and no, I don't add compressors etc. afterwards - I've had enough of that ... it's a real pain to work with stuff if you can't hear the resualt right away (when you're ducking/sidechaining stuff etc.)

a bit fussy explaination but you get my point, I hope

Drums by definition, are mono.

Think about it....if you hit a snare, its not on two sides of you, it has to be on one side only.

Drums are mono, are meant to be mono, and should be left mono. when I sample drums that are in stereo, ther first thing I do is make them mono, and then make my own stereo field using the mono samples through a mixing board.

yeah, but unfortunately, on records theyre split left and right and taking just one side sounds pretty bad. combine L+R to mono before sampling. sounds better imo.