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Let me define the concept for you. "Stations" are positions of sound, and they include instruments and their microphones, as well as whatever integrated technology you use to make that station be effective. A fundamental station, for example, might be a well-chosen acoustic piano, miked with a single ribbon microphone, positioned correctly. Put it in there, close the lid, put a blanket over it, and you will get a beautiful sound. I like mono recordings for piano because it gives me a very focused single point source, but I've also used a C24 [AKG stereo mic], which gives a beautiful sound as well. But if a track is going to be dense, i.e., if the piano is not an upfront main feature but is instead a little melody part panned over to one side, then I'd rather use a mono mic source.

"So once I get that station sounding good and the piano is in the sweet spot of the room, the good RCA 77 is in the piano, the blankets are on, we've chosen the right preamp, maybe we've hit a compressor, we've got the right EQ - now my great piano sound lives at the end of one patch cord, and it says "piano" on it. You can be drunk and blind and you walk into my studio and you pick up the plug that says "piano" and bang it into whatever track you want, and you're recording; you don't have to go fishing out of cupboards or have people get flustered trying to figure out why it's not working or anything. That's my reason for having stations, and they are completely independent of the recording medium.