Re: Any other fans of mono mode?
Enjoying this thread, great to see so many options all working from the same instrument. Here are some of my thoughts on mono, dual mono and stereo. There is no right option, but it's the idea of
having options that matters most to me.
I have one of the ART PowerMix mixers - a great practice option, but i've found it's not gig-ready for me. The routing options with stereo also add some dimension for dual signal path instruments as well as a headphone jack out - you'd be very popular at a Stick event with one of these
I like the expansive melodic possibilities of 2 independent signal paths, a single mono channel for the bass and full stereo for the melody side when playing unaccompanied. I run 5 channels for my solo event board, 4 on the melody (2 in full stereo) with ambient stereo effects and one for the bass side. It creates a beautiful sonic dimension that doesn't require too much trickery.
When I'm playing the NS Stick, I play in dual mono. So, both sides mono with separate outputs for each side. There is less need for ambient wandering as I'm more focused on consistent and creative rhythmic interplay and the right hand is mostly optional.
I use a Temple Audio
Sum Mod module on both boards. The module takes 50mA and sums the output to a single channel if it detects only a single output cable is plugged in. This is great when used with a powered speaker for home practice. It allows me to use either my Solo event board or my NS board in multiple different stereo, dual mono or straight mono modes.
Gary Jibilian is a gnarly mono NS player. I think it allows him to focus more on the groove, so it makes good sense if that is the intent. He also does a lot of looping, so that simplifies the signal pathing a little if you are playing in mono.