Hello Gearspace members

Recently purchased a Auratone SuperCube to understand mixes a bit better more specifically vocals and where they exist in a mix.

I notice some artists vocals coming through great and others not at all. Is this because they are stereo separating while some a keeping just mono (at least the main verses)?

38 Spesh album Mother & Gun I hear nothing in this in terms of vocals same with Benny The Butcher Excelsior, nothing. But on Lil Durk 7220, vocals are coming through.

What is going on with these albums in terms of vocal mono/stereo placement? Why would these albums differ so much in this?

Usually, if you apply stereo effects properly, it shouldn't significantly affect how the vocal sums up in mono. Try using a microshift effect (Eventide and Soundtoys are the best options for this IMO) on background vocal tracks to make them sound wider without compromising the mono part.

Regarding how the 38 Spesh and Lil Durk vocals differ, this suggests that the lead vocals on 7220 were mixed with strong consideration for mono compatibility. This means the lead vocal is likely predominantly mono and centered, and any stereo effects used are either minimal, phase-coherent, or mixed to preserve the vocal's presence when summed to mono.
I also hear a lot of Autotune applied to the vocals on 7220. Overall, they sound brighter and more "pop music-like" than those on 38 Spesh's tracks, meaning they likely have more high-frequency content and less low-mid content, which helps them cut through more on consumer speakers.