Hey T, well here’s my take on mono and mono compatibility. When music used to be played on AM radio (which is mono) music had to be mono compatible or sounds would get quiet or disappear completely. Also, mono clubs can cause cancellation of non-mono compatible sounds. However, music is not really played much on AM stations as it is mostly talk radio, and clubs are increasingly stereo. When I take the top ten in Beatport and hit the mono button, most commercial mixes from top producers have lots of cancellation. I think the most important thing is to have a mono-compatible low end for that the kick/bass power is not diminished in mono clubs – and that can be achieved and adjusted in mastering.
As an experiment, take a radiohead track and force it to mono…the whole fun of the track disappears! do the same with a tiesto track…same thing. That being said, there are styles of music that are very mono…some techno…some hip hop…and the mono-ness is sort of a vibe.
hope that sheds some light.
just wondering…why are you concerned about mono?