I finally took the time to track everything into Audacity and split it.

I really don't know enough about it to say whether or not it's a technique that should be used all the time but I'm happy with the results with the reverse polarity button (I mistakenly called it the phase knob) coupled with some creative panning. 

So here's my conclusion after the first quick mix.

Advantages: Layering sounds is much easier. The track is more spread out so I could fit more bass right in the middle. The spread might make more room for vocals to sit on top/not clutter as much.

Disadvantages: It might spread the track out TOO wide in certain areas (user error), I'll let you be the judge. 

Here's the finished product.. until my ears get some rest at least

 

The mix sounds good for sure. Im just curious if you were to mix the same track but in stereo how different it would sound. You should do a stereo mix too and then upload both to compare and contrast.

Your wish is my command..

No but really I had done this mix before deciding to go ahead and track everything out, so I had no bias toward either one.





I'll call the mix that used mono files the "mono mix", and the mix with stereo files "stereo mix"

There is a noticeable difference between the two, especially after getting to listen to them in my car today (reminded me it's time to shove out some $ for monitors). The mono mix was clearly more spread out which I wanted, but some of the sounds seemed like they were spread too thin (could be my $20 mixing speakers). The bass is sitting at the same Db in both tracks, but it seemed to bang a lot harder in the mono mix.

The most surprising thing to me was that the stereo mix as noticeable louder. The only thing I would want to check out is if that is what caused the increased loudness, or since the song wasn't as spread out it had more room to move towards and away from you.

So now I'm wondering if a mix is more like a sphere with only a certain amount of space. If it's too spread out you lose loudness (the dimensions going towards and away from you), while if its more centered (like in a regular mix) then you have more potential for volume.

I'll figure it out one day damnit. I swear

Sounds do lose their power (or apparent loudness) as they are panned further from the center. That's what the "Circular Panning Law" in FL Studio counterracts. The panning law makes sounds get louder as they are panned further in one direction so that they stay the same apparent volume.

is the limiter the same on both tracks? its way more prevalent in the 2nd one you posted. that might be why it sounds louder, but the bass isn't hitting like it is in the first one. there is less dynamic range.