That's weird. To record vocals in stereo, you'd have to either record with 2 mics or with a stereo mic. I've never really heard of anyone doing that unless they're going for some kind of specific effect (or unless they're recording a choir, of course). So yeah, I always record vocals mono.
Don't freak out about the dynamics, just adjust your mic preamp as needed (turn it up for quieter parts), and especially, work the mic. Get close when you want more proximity effect (usually on quiet parts in my case), and back up when you're really letting it rip. Check your gain staging AT ALL STEPS to make sure nothing is clipping. Make sure you're not clipping the preamp's input, the preamp's output, the compressor's input/output (if you're tracking with one), de-esser (if you're using one), EQ, and the input on your soundcard. Sing the loudest passage in the song you're recording and check all these things to make sure everything is going down cleanly.
I have to say though, since I finally got a nice compressor for tracking vocals (like a month or so ago), it's all SO much easier. I had never sang through a compressor, I always just compressed the vocals at mixdown. Holy cow though, it's like night and day to me. It helps at all levels, from the headphone mix to the final result. Obviously, if you're going to compress on the way in, make sure you know what you're doing or you will shoot yourself in the foot bigtime, because you can't take it off once it's on there. Make sure you have the attack and release set right and that the compressor's not audibly pumping, and all that stuff. Some compressors are more suited for this task than others, to say the least.
2:1 is a good ratio if you're just trying to keep the peaks under control, but you'll probably need to smack the snot out of it at mixdown if the music is dense and you really want that in-your-face sound. Of course you can ride the fader for every word as an alternative, but don't be afraid to get heavy with the compression on vocals if you know what you're doing with it. I usually hit it 6:1 or 8:1, depending on what compressor I'm using.
I always use a pop filter. If you still have a problem with pops, you can try taping a pencil to the front of the mic in the center of the diaphragm. Seriously! That's a trick I learned from Michael Wagener, and he knows a thing or two about recording a legendary vocal.
Hope this helps.
) but i'm looking for more people. it's difficult to record different instruments when i'm only very good at one of them. 
