Summing right and left channels?

[hamerhead]

I want to combine the left and right channels of my stereo (playback amp) into a single speaker (for mono mixing band recordings).

How do you do that without f***ing something up?

Thanks!

[Dutchman]

Not sure what you're working with but usually you can do that on the mixer.

[geoff_hartwell]

On 12/3/2024 at 4:12 PM, hamerhead said:

I want to combine the left and right channels of my stereo (playback amp) into a single speaker (for mono mixing band recordings).

How do you do that without f***ing something up?

Thanks!

Stereo what? What is your source, what gear do you have to work with, and what is your desired outcome?
In a DAW? On an analog mixer?

 

[HSB0531]

If you mean the line level RCA outputs of your Stereo preamp, there's L/R combiners out there, but you can make one for very little money.

https://www.ranecommercial.com/legacy/note109.html

[gorch]

On 12/3/2024 at 10:12 PM, hamerhead said:

I want to combine the left and right channels of my stereo (playback amp) into a single speaker (for mono mixing band recordings).

How do you do that without f***ing something up?

Thanks!

I think you could just do that. L&R are sourcing the same power. Just make sure that both grounds are combined with each other. Other than that it’s fine.

[HSB0531]

12 hours ago, gorch said:

I think you could just do that. L&R are sourcing the same power. Just make sure that both grounds are combined with each other. Other than that it’s fine.

If you mean combining both line level outputs using a simple Wye-cable, that would severely load down each output because they are trying to feed into each other instead of combining through a series/parallel resistive network.  The best case using a simple wye-cable would be a rise in distortion and worst case would be damage to the output circuit of the preamp stage.

 

[scottcald]

Simple/easiest answer is pan everything to one speaker for the mono mix then do the stereo one if you are doing one.  
the gain plugin in Logic has a mono button.