Some instruments can be stereo and others are mostly mono. Drums, keys, and some guitars can be, and are, stereo. Drums simply because the kit is wide and multiple sound sources. Keys... like B3 organ and guitars with stereo chorus effects and what not.

If the instrument is a sax, or a voice, for example it's normally mono.

All stereo tracks can be converted to mono.

They record the stereo tracks to give you the opportunity to use the width offered by the stereo. You can pan that if you wish, but if you don't convert it to mono, such as with a B3 where the left and right channel can be totally different, you will lose the channel on the weak side totally with a pan unless you convert it first.

Drums, even if stereo.... centered, bass centered, and lead vox centered. That's usually the starting point for the mix. Carve sonic space in the center for the bass and drums to occupy the center stage with EQ so you don't mash them together. Everything else can be placed where it needs to be in the mix. Generally not in the center but generally not 100% to one side or the other with some exceptions. I like to record acoustic guitars 2x and pan them 100% opposite for width. It's a huge sound stage.

But with anything artistic.... it's all up to you.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 01/06/22 06:11 AM.
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