Stereo vs. Mono?

[chillowack]

I recently read in the Audacity tips that recording with mono tracks is recommended, since recording in stereo uses up twice as much space.

So I wanted to ask some of the seasoned users here:

1) What is the difference (practically speaking) between stereo and mono?

2) When do you record in stereo, and when do you use mono?

Thanks for your input. I may need to revise my approach here (I've been using stereo for everything).

[steve]

It depends on what you are recording.
If you are recording from a single microphone, that is a mono source, so there is not much point in recording a stereo track (unless you have some overriding reason to do so).
If you are recording from a stereo cassette player then you will probably want to record in stereo.

[kozikowski]

<<<(unless you have some overriding reason to do so).>>>

My overriding reason for recording a mono microphone in stereo is delivery. I know my editor is expecting a stereo sound file no matter what the performance.

You're right. Most of the time you don't need stereo and the files sizes are half what they are in stereo. Recording a talk show is almost a complete waste of time in stereo.

There are production reasons for recording in stereo -- or more accurately in two channel. The Pamela software package for recording Skype phone calls produces a file with you on one side and the performer on the other. It allows you to do production and editing on one voice without the other.

Koz

[chillowack]

Thanks guys, this is instructive.