Stems and tracks are both terms used in the context of music production, and while they are related, they refer to different aspects of the recording and mixing process.

Tracks:
In music production, a track generally refers to an individual element or sound source within a song. This could be a single instrument (e.g., a guitar track, a drum track) or a specific vocal part.

• Each track is recorded separately or generated electronically, and during the mixing process, these tracks are combined to create the final mix of the song.
• Tracks can be mono or stereo, depending on the nature of the sound they represent.

Stems:
Stems, on the other hand, are groups of tracks that are mixed down together. Instead of working with individual tracks, a producer might create stems by combining related elements. For example, all the drum tracks could be mixed down to a single drum stem, or all the guitar tracks could be mixed down to a guitar stem.

• Stems provide a higher level of organization and control during the mixing process.
• They can be useful for making global adjustments to specific sections of a mix or for handing off parts of a project to another engineer or for remixing purposes.
• Stems are often used in post-production, remixing, or when preparing a project for mastering.

In summary, tracks are the individual components of a recording, while stems are consolidated groups of tracks. Both are essential in the production and mixing workflow, with tracks representing the fine details of each sound, and stems offering a more consolidated and manageable approach to handling multiple elements during the mixing and mastering stages.