This is why I originally asked the stereo/mono question because if I'm right, a lot of guys are creating stereo patches with stereo cabs and effects and sending left and right from the Axe to the desk, but it's dual mono if there's no panning - isn't that right?
correct. well... kinda.
stereo usually means there is a specific interaction between left and right speakers, usually when pan effects are used - it becomes less left and more right, then less right and more left - that's a stereo effect.
dual mono means that there are simply 2 different signals being played out of 2 different speakers and they don't necessarily interact. so a delay on the left of 200ms and a delay on the right of 300ms isn't necessarily a "stereo delay." it's a dual delay.
yes, the word "stereo" gets thrown around a lot sometimes meaning dual mono or basically 2 signals.
but once we get our stereo or dual mono signals to the mixer, if the PA system is configured in mono (nothing panned), then what you're hearing is mono, not "dual mono" since there's nothing dual about it. the same signal is present in any speaker.
in that case, you may as well just make your axe-fx output modes into Sum L+R so you know exactly what the summation of your L & R signals will sound like in that PA that's mono.
If your patches are in stereo and you have stereo cabs panned left and right but you only give FOH your right line out, what happens to your cab in your patch panned left and what happens to your sound if the PA is mono?
Thx mate
if i only give the Right side signal, the PA will only hear/produce the right side cab. no one will hear the left panned cab, whether the PA is in stereo or mono. i'm only sending the right signal to the mixer, so the only thing that can ever come out is that right side signal.
that's why i don't do panning things that affect my overall tone, like panned cabs or amps. but let's say i DID do a panned stereo cab and on the left is a Fender cab and the right is a Marshall cab. maybe i want to give the brighter fender cab to the house one night so i give the left... or maybe i want the marshall cab to go to the house - i'll give the left. everything else is pretty much the same no matter what signal i give.
now on stage i may have a stereo setup (2 monitors) and i get the benefit of stereo, but i know the PA and audience is getting a good sound too because i know how i set it up.