recording vocals in mono or stereo?

[PT-MP Rookie]

which is best? & why?

Also, what does it mean when you only get audio in one side of a stereo track?

[spkguitar]

which is best? & why?

Understanding what Stereo tracks/signals are really would make this question unnecessary, so I will explain that to you;

A stereo signal is made up of two independent audio channels that are blended to create the illusion of spatial direction. Stereo tracks contain two separate independent audio files.

If you are rcording vocals with a single microphone, you only have one audio source and can only record one audio file, thus should be recording to a mono track.

If you were using two microphones to record the vocals, you would have two audio sources, and could use a stereo track if you wanted to.

Typically, vocals are recorded in mono, and then panned into the stereo spectrum appropriately during the mixing process.

Also, what does it mean when you only get audio in one side of a stereo track?

As I mentioned above, when recording a stereo track, you are recording two audio sources. You will notice that when setting up a stereo track, the input selector is set for two inputs, either 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, etc. If you are using a single microphone to record your vocals, you are recording a mono source using only one of those inputs. You will also notice that the pan indicators on the stereo track are set fully left and fully right. When you are recoding a single, mono source to a stereo track, the data that you are recording is only going to one track of the stereo track, and that track is panned fully left or right.

Understand?

[PT-MP Rookie]

yes indeed my friend, you the man buddy. Thank you kindly. out.