Stereo Recording Sound Cards

[anonymous_vkfan]

Hello everybody. I wouldn't consider myself a pure newbie, because I've been mixing for 6 or 7 years on my PC. I've been using CGT Pro for a few years now. However, I think this type of question is best served for the newbie board.

I remember reading an article about how Windows XP did away with "stereo" recording. I use this term loosely because, IIRC, previous versions of windows did technically record in stereo, but it was an identical signal in both channels. This results in mono sound anyway.

I recently purchased a Casio WK series keyboard. For anyone that owns/has heard them, you know that one of their good points is that the stereo effects make the tones much more authentic. I would like to capture the tones (in stereo) on my PC. The problem is, I can only record one channel at a time. I'm not talented enough to play the exact same way multiple times in succession, so I'm forced to take one of two paths. I can either record my performance on a sound bank, and then play it back twice (once through each channel) and record the output. Or, I can use Finale's "export to audio file" function, which uses the standard MIDI mapper. The former of the two options is problematic, because I've found it impossible to synchronize the recorded clips of each channel so that they line up just right. One clip always seems to be just a tad later than the other, which results in a "chorus" like effect, something I don't desire. The latter of the two options is more work that I want. Add to that the fact that the standard MIDI mapper sounds nowhere near as authentic as the keyboard, and it's a pretty worthless option IMO.

I purchased a Philips PSC706 about 5 years ago. At the time, I was blown away by the crispness and clarity of the sound. I suppose technology has improved since then, but I've been using this card ever since because I was so initially impressed by it. My question is, are there any multiple input sound cards available (under $300 or so) that would allow me to record both channels simultaneously? That is, I could output from both the left and right channels of the keyboard and and have the sound card receive both signals at the same time? If anyone has a sound card recommendation and or has experienced the things I've mentioned above, I would appreciate any feedback/assistance. Thanks in advance for reading the long thread.

[DonF]

Originally Posted by anonymous_vkfan

... are there any multiple input sound cards available (under $300 or so) that would allow me to record both channels simultaneously?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MDOD1010LT

8 analog inputs and outputs, $200. Quite a deal. I'd get one if I needed that many channels. You almost can't go wrong with M-Audio's audio interfaces, in my opinion.

Where did you hear that XP "did away with 'stereo' recording"? I think you must have misunderstood something. Maybe the crummy Windows sound recorder application stopped supporting stereo (don't know, just guessing), but there are any number of fine programs that will record in stereo.

Don

P.S. It's possible that you're absolutely correct about WinXP, and I'm misinformed. If so, I apologize in advance. I am no big fan of XP.

[anonymous_vkfan]

Originally Posted by DonF

but there are any number of fine programs that will record in stereo.

From only one input jack? That would be nice, but I haven't had any success with that. Any time I connect a line out from a device (keyboard, for example) to the line in of my sound card and attempt to record both channels, the left channel gets a signal but the right channel is empty.

Thanks for the suggestions thus far. I've used zzounds before, and it's a good place to look IMO.

[crankz1]

The Line Input on your soundcard most likely is stereo. And I've never had a problem recording stereo using XP.
Chances are good that you have a simple problem of inappropriate cables. Sounds as though you are using a mono cable.
If your keyboard has separate Left/Right outputs, get yourself a cable just like this one and any adapters that may be needed to connect the RCA ends to the Left and Right outputs of your keyboard.

[Dani Pace]

Even a Soundblaster Live soundcard will allow you to record in stereo, and that is barely enough to call a soundcard. Is your pc recording software set to record stereo tracks or mono? It could be that your soundcard is either mono, or has seperate inputs for right and left. I record on XP and have no problems laying down stereo tracks.

[anonymous_vkfan]

You guys think it's just a cabling problem, huh? That seems too easy to be the case. In any event, I will pick up a Y-cable (can't believe I don't have one here) and try it out. Thanks for the suggestions. I will post the results either way.

[altitude909]

Any time I connect a line out from a device (keyboard, for example) to the line in of my sound card and attempt to record both channels

I'm guessing you own a SB soundcard and those have a Stereo input (you are supposed to use one of those 1/8" to 2 RCA CD cables) and you are feeding it a mono signal (I have never seen a keyboard that has a TRS Stereo output). Try using the headphone out if you have a TRS to 1/8" stereo adapter or get 2 1/4" mono to to RCA's and patch those in

[anonymous_vkfan]

Headphone out jack is only a mono signal. I know because I hooked it up to a set of stereo speakers and I only hear the left channel. I'll pick up a Y-cable and let you know how it goes. Hopefully that will solve the problem and allow me to record in stereo.

[gordone]

If I was a betting man, I'd bet that the headphone jack IS stereo! How did you hook up your stereo speakers? Did the 1/8" plug only have one black line (known as a TS plug). Did you ever plug headphones into the jack?

Originally Posted by anonymous_vkfan

Headphone out jack is only a mono signal. I know because I hooked it up to a set of stereo speakers and I only hear the left channel. I'll pick up a Y-cable and let you know how it goes. Hopefully that will solve the problem and allow me to record in stereo.

[anonymous_vkfan]

Sorry, wrong wording. I hooked up a pair of stereo headphones to the "phones" jack of the keyboard, and I only heard a signal in the left side of the headphones. That led me to believe that the phones jack is just a mono signal.

[anonymous_vkfan]

Picked up a Y-cable today (along with necessary adapters). Attempted to record in stereo, and it worked perfectly. Thanks everybody for your help and suggestions. I'm mad at myself for not figuring this out sooner .