Most of the tracks that are stereo are from instruments that are in fact stereo.... I notice that the B3 organ, pianos and drums tend to be stereo. At least I think the drums are sometimes in stereo.

I don't recall seeing many stereo guitar tracks or sax tracks or bass tracks. It's possible to have stereo on guitar because sometimes the amp is a stereo amp with a stereo chorus or on an acoustic guitar where the body is miked and so is the fretboard.

It's really not something I think much about when I add RB tracks.

And yes, vocals should almost always be mono.

Most DAWs will let you convert stereo to mono.

When mixing, you should take the status of the track into account. It's stereo for a reason and usually that means it was intended to be placed in the center of the mix. You don't "have" to place it there but the stereo effect is maximized when it is placed center rather than panned off center. However, I have placed stereo tracks off center intentionally and usually have another track..... mono or stereo placed on the opposite side, the same amount, for sonic balance.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 05/07/18 04:29 AM.
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