Easy answer: One generator, all alone, by itself: Isochronous mode. Its governor will chase the setpoint frequency.
More than one generator, tied to the grid: Run in 'droop' mode. Governor adds or subtracts energy to the prime mover to maintain power output at the setpoint. The grid determines frequency.
Droop mode also applies to all the generators except one if you have a multi-generator power system separate from the grid.
During Hurricane Rita, one of my clients had a fine multi-generator power system tied to the utility grid. Hurricane damage took the grid down, removing his frequency reference and one generator after another shut down on the resulting frequency excursions. Nobody thought to switch anything to Isochronous because they'd NEVER run like that. It's part of the emergency procedures now.
old field guy