Stereo sound is superior to mono sound in almost all cases, creating a richer and more detailed listening experience. Unless some other superior form of sound recording is just around the corner, stereo is definitely here to stay. However, both types of audio serve a purpose and have features that can benefit your listening experience and recordings if you know how and when to use them. The difference between monophonic (mono) and stereophonic (stereo) sound is the number of channels used to record and play audio.
Mono signals are recorded and reproduced using a single audio channel, while stereo sounds are recorded and reproduced using two audio channels. As a listener, the most notable difference is that stereo sounds are capable of producing the perception of width, while mono sounds are not. Mono sound recording is done primarily with a microphone, and only one speaker is required to hear the sound. In places that have several speakers, such as clubs, cafes or restaurants, the stereo system can cause phase cancellation problems and therefore make mono the right choice.
For the average listener, stereo sounds broader, more detailed and more realistic. Portable recorders record sound in mono. Mono mixing is useful to ensure that the song is translated and that the information is not erased or otherwise lost. Known as “pseudo-stereo”, this guy uses audio software to duplicate tracks in mono and add effects.
You can achieve an even wider stereo image by tilting the microphones out or using different acoustic guitar recording techniques. Many portable recorders offer the ability to record in stereo, capturing sound with a pair of built-in microphones. Mono sound is preferred in radiotelephony communications, telephone networks and radio stations dedicated to talk shows and conversations, PA systems and headphones. But keep in mind that the playback will take place in dual mono mode, in which the audio signal is simply duplicated and played simultaneously on the left and right channels. The drawbacks of stereo audio recording are that it requires more equipment, making it more expensive.
However, if you record two or more vocalists or if you record in a room with unique acoustics, the vocals should be stereo. When processing a stereo recording, you'll need to move one of the microphone recordings to the left and the other to the right. Most listeners are going to be in their car or listening on stereo systems where they aren't really in the sweet spot. The vast majority of current audio systems support stereo signals, making it an increasingly standard audio system today.
