1/4" to 1/8" Recording Dilemna

[noiseradiostar]

Hello everyone, I'm having trouble recording into my computer and wanted to see if anyone can help...

I'm trying to record to Cool Edit Pro. For my setup into the computer I'm running a 1/4" guitar cord out of my preamp, into a 1/8" stereo adapter and into the computer. The trouble is I'm only getting a signal on the left side. I first checked my cords and they're good. I then checked within the program and the "stereo" recording button was clicked.

I researched this a little and found many posts on bulletin boards (that's how I found this BBS) where people have had similar problems. The response on this board from 2 years ago suggested that you use a splitter and split the 1/4" mono signal from the guitar cord and then use a stereo adapter to bring the two sides back together (although you wouldn't have a true stereo signal). This may work, but my friend is running the exact same setup and using the exact same recording program and he has no trouble getting a stereo signal. This leads me to believe it might be the soundcard or the computer (I'm using Windows XP).

Any help? (Before I buy a new soundcard or do something drastic)

Thanks.

 

[David Katauskas]

There are either adapters for this (mono 1/4" to stereo 1/8"). Although the signal is mono, just being sent thru a stereo adapter.

Or...you could buy a cheap mixer or DI box with the appropriate adapters.

 

[Rokket]

Switch the program to record in mono. If you are only recording one instrument/voice at at time, you don't need a stereo signal going in. You get that after you mix down.

 

[noiseradiostar]

OK, it is definetly an input problem. If I simply have the microphone plugged in (not even in the program itself) and go into the Windows Volume Control and drag the balance to the left, I get the full sound. If I drag it to the right, then I get nothing at all.

Any other suggestions?

 

[SouthSIDE Glen]

OK, it is definetly an input problem. If I simply have the microphone plugged in (not even in the program itself) and go into the Windows Volume Control and drag the balance to the left, I get the full sound. If I drag it to the right, then I get nothing at all.

Any other suggestions?

It is functining exactly as it should. When you plug a mono source into a stereo jack, that mono source gets routed to the left channel. That is normal, and how it's supposed to be.

Rokket had the answer exactly correct. You need to set up the track to which you are recording in CEP to record the left channel only as a mono signal, and not to record a stereo signal. This is done by punching the record settings (e.g. "Rec1") button for that track and then selecting the "Left Channel" option.

If you wish to have a stereo recording (e.g. if you wish to apply a stereo effect to it), you can always split that mono track into a stereo one after the recording has finished.

G.

 

[IronFlippy]

Why do you want to record a mono signal in stereo? I second Rokket's post, just record in mono.