Sometimes voice or instrument signals are recorded on only one channel (left or right). If you listen in stereo and have adjusted the balance for hearing, you may lose parts of the sound. Switching between stereo and mono can help.
Stereo vs. mono
- Stereo: Two separate channels (left and right) for a sense of space.
- Mono: The same sound is sent to both ears, so nothing is lost if one channel is weak.
When to use mono
If content seems to come from only one side, or you have different hearing in each ear, mono can help you hear all parts of the sound.
Notes
- Switching to mono can reduce the sense of space in music or movies.
- If you switch back to stereo, you may need to readjust any balance or hearing settings.