Output 'y' from wavread(filename): what is it?

I was wondering what exactly is the data stored in two columuns by y. If, for instance, I run y = wavread(a, 44100) (my file has a fs = 44100, so this would mean I am getting all the samples for the first second. Is this right?). So I would imagine y gives me the info, but I don't know exactly what are represented by the two columns). Thanks!

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

The columns represent channels. Usually column 1 is the left channel and column 2 is the right channel.

Answer 2

[Jan]

The values of y are the amplitude, and for stereo files you get 2 columns.

Answer 3

[Nuchto]

Thank you so much!