MusicTechHelpGuy walks through a quick but essential setup step in Logic Pro before you record: checking your input mode and setting proper gain levels.
A single mic always records mono, even inside a stereo project. Look for the input circle icon next to the track, one ring means mono, two means stereo, and you can click to switch. Stereo inputs only make sense when you're recording with two mics in a stereo pair.
For gain staging, he aims for peaks around -12dB on most sources, though -16 or -18dB gives extra headroom if you prefer a safer margin. Drums typically peak closer to -6dB, while vocals usually land between -6 and -9dB.
The real goal is avoiding clipping without recording so quietly that you introduce noise when boosting levels later in the mix.