What is the difference between Stereo, 2 Channels and Dual Stereo?

[Brian Reynolds]

Let me try and explain it to you….

Mono, A single track of audio.

Stereo, 2 Tracks of audio that are similar in content (think of a music track that has both Left and Right content). In the editing process normally the audio tracks are ganged and if you do an edit it will occur on both tracks at the same point.

2 Channels, The is often referred to as ‘split tracks’ where you might a voice on one track and FX on the other, this is a very basic setup for editing. In the editing process normally the audio tracks are NOT ganged so you do an edit on one track without effecting the other track.

Dual Stereo Is often used in Doco finalisation where you will have a FULL stereo mix (with voice / music / Fx) on the first stereo pair and on the second stereo will be the M/E tracks (music + Fx) this is there so that program can be re-voiced to suit another language but still using the original music and Fx.
In the editing process the audio tracks are ganged and if you do an edit it may occur on both tracks / all at the same point.

4 Channel, There would be 4 separate tracks that can be manipulated as individual tracks in editing, this is how most news / current affairs programs are edited. Tk1 will have the voice / dialogue track, Tr2 will be for Fx recorded with the camera mic, leaving Tr3&4 for stereo music or additional material to go into the program.

Hope that has helped you.