Mixing in Mono?

If club systems are typically mono - then my question is, what is the point in mixing in stereo.

Also, would it not then be a good idea to have just one mono monitor - possibly of a higher quality and more sensitive bass response - say down to 37hz -

It seems that getting a big , beautifully defined stereo field is like the holy grail for a lot of Trance and House producers - but I am confused - if we are producing music to be played in clubs - why bother? I guess there are people who like to listen to electronic music on big stereo systems as well - so which is the best way to produce a club mix, which is derived from your wide stereo field mix?

[Disfunktional-DJs]

it actually varies from club to club and whoever set up the sound system and amount of speakers...it pretty much always used to be mono...but now days it's probably about 50/50.

the bigger clubs with loads of speakers are always mono...I have noticed when it's a one room event... with just an average 4-8 speakers it's been in stereo....with the bottom end been in mono.

very few clubs use Vinyl now.. so the P.A have been set up to run in stereo.

I'd say we play on about 50/50

[Contayjen]

Club systems aside, it does actually pay to mix as if you're just making a mono track due to the strength of the sound. Everything under say 500Hz should be mono anyway and don't pan anything, just use some reverb or double delay to create the wideness illusion.

[DaveRave]

Blimey, I didn't know that. Interesting indeed. I remember a couple of years back, in the likes of Computer Music or Future Music mags that it said for creating top club mixes the bass should be in mono. I thought: 'What??' Surely not?

Come to think of it, in the 'old days' most musicians playing live only had one mono Marshall speaker each banging away....with the drummer at the 'rear middle'

Thanks lads for the info

[Disfunktional-DJs]

yeah certain elements sound best in mono (Kick,bass and sometimes vocals)... but I don't buy any tracks that are in mono and I buy lots...it's always in stereo...the bigger picture is away from the clubs anyway... it's @ home with a 7.1 sound system or a home stereo system.

Trance & House are alot different to say Dubstep & Drum & Bass

most Trance & House go for the big wide stereo field....most is played that loud in clubs you can't tell anyway and DJs have a mixer with FX and EQ to balance it out over mono.