as far as the actual samples of melodies and everything...i like to leave those in stereo it makes for a better finished product in my opinion...i even track into protools in stereo and mix it in stereo as well...im less picky with drums because alot of the drums u use will come in mono anyway...however stereo drums do sound nice as well....and im addicted to using effects to create a virtual stereo track outta my kicks and snares...i feel it livens them and makes them fuller sounding...it also helps for placement at times when i wanna pan them to a precise spot...like say 30L and 30R rather than just to one side like 30R...you feel me?