Why is dialogue recorded in mono?
 

Hi Guys,

Just wondering Wwy is dialogue recorded in mono, as opposed to stereo like other sounds ie atmos etc?

A voice comes from one source -- someone's mouth.

With mono sound, one can easily put that track on the center channel, if using something like Dolby 5.1 surround.

The human brain automatically associates the (centered, mono) voice with whomever looks like they are speaking onscreen, even if the person is on one side of the frame.

If one really wants to include panning from right to left, or having a voice come from "behind" the viewer, that can be done by "moving" the mono sound in post, although if that is done too much, the viewer becomes aware of the filmic apparatus itself. You thus break the illusion of film.

The short answer is: if you try it, you'll see why all dialogue is put in the center channel.

See this thread for my stab at the explanation.

Thanks Robert,

That whole reversing of the camera and the sound channel makes perfect sense why to use mono.

I should of thought of that!

CHeers,
Ben Gurvich