Audio only recording on left channel?

[johnzo]

Hi,

I've plugged my mixer into the line-in of my sound card, but it only ever records on the left channel? How do i get it so it records on both channels?

I've ensured that both the left and right gains, and panning on the mixer are set to the middle. I've also checked all the Recording, Line-In volumes etc etc... are also in middle.

The same thing happens when i plug my guitar directly into the line-in, that it only records on the left channel.

I'm suspecting that my sound card (Sound Blaster Live!) is playing up? Does that sound right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated... thanks guys!

 

[johnzo]

Also, the 1/4" to 1/8" adapter is a stereo one.

 

[corban]

Sounds like a connection problem on the adapter. See if you get both signals from a discman or something with an eighth inch out going to quarter inch headphones or something. Other than that... (shrug)... replace all the connections you can, see if you can get both signals from your mixer going into a different sound card, that kind of thing to see if you can narrow it down to your soundcard.

 

[L'espion Noir]

do you have a mic plugged in if so unplug it and check to see if it works

 

[johnzo]

Sounds like a connection problem on the adapter. See if you get both signals from a discman or something with an eighth inch out going to quarter inch headphones or something. Other than that... (shrug)... replace all the connections you can, see if you can get both signals from your mixer going into a different sound card, that kind of thing to see if you can narrow it down to your soundcard.

Thats the thing. I was certain it was the adapter, so i went out an bought a new 1/4" - 1/8" stereo adapter but the problem is still there. I've tried with different cables too. so it's not that...

It's odd... because sometimes when you sing or play something louder via mic -> mixer -> soundcard... the right channel flickers for a split second...

 

[johnzo]

do you have a mic plugged in if so unplug it and check to see if it works

a mic plugged in the mixer or a mic plugged in the microphone jack of the sound card?

i'll give both a try later tonight.

 

[shiatzu]

hmm.. maybe flip the cable around L/R and see if you only get the other channel (or nothing at all). That should tell you if it's the sound card or the mixer that's screwing up.

 

[NYMorningstar]

Your 1/4" cable has to be stereo for what you are doing, trs on both ends.

 

[johnzo]

hmm.. maybe flip the cable around L/R and see if you only get the other channel (or nothing at all). That should tell you if it's the sound card or the mixer that's screwing up.

Yeh i've tried flipping the cable to L/R, but it still remains on the left channel.

 

[johnzo]

Your 1/4" cable has to be stereo for what you are doing, trs on both ends.

Morningstar,

I went out and bought a stereo 1/4" cable. The levels still only record onto the left side?

This is f**king pissing me off so badly...

Anyone else got any ideas? Getting alittle desperate now...

 

[johnzo]

Okay,

I admit i'm stupid!!!!!!!!

I have figured out why it's only recording on the left channel. When i connect it from the LEFT OUTPUT to my sound card, it records to the left (and right), but when i try to pan it right, the sound dies off totally. Vice Versa.

The question now, is it possible to get a cable with two 1/4" heads for the left and right outputs of the mixer -> into my Line-in (Soundblaster Live!)?

and then... will i be able to pan one mic to the left and one mic to the right and get the stereo signal into my soundcard?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

I'm suspecting that my sound card (Sound Blaster Live!) is playing up? Does that sound right?

It's a possibility, yes.

To see if this is the case, you could do two of the following ideas.

1 - If you have a Discman or Walkman of some kind with a line out or even headphone out, take an 1/8" TRS cable on both ends and try that into the sound-card's line in. If it works there then you have a faulty connection somewhere between your mixer's output and the computer. If you still have the same problem, then the issue lays in the card's input connector which might have a dirty connector jack or a cold solder joint on the connector.

2 - Try replacing the sound card with a USB external sound-card like the Soundblaster external MP3 blaster card or a TASCAM US-122 and when you use either one of those, disable your original card in your computer's hardware manager program and install the new drivers for the new USB device.

Also insure that on the sound-card's input controls on your computer's internal mixer GUI that the balance control is not set to one side only!!

Cheers!

 

[johnzo]

It's a possibility, yes.

To see if this is the case, you could do two of the following ideas.

1 - If you have a Discman or Walkman of some kind with a line out or even headphone out, take an 1/8" TRS cable on both ends and try that into the sound-card's line in. If it works there then you have a faulty connection somewhere between your mixer's output and the computer. If you still have the same problem, then the issue lays in the card's input connector which might have a dirty connector jack or a cold solder joint on the connector.

2 - Try replacing the sound card with a USB external sound-card like the Soundblaster external MP blaster card or a TASCAM US-122 and when you use either one of those, disable your original card in your computer's hardware manager program and install the new drivers for the new USB device.

Also insure that on the sound-card's input controls on your computer's internal mixer GUI that the balance control is not set to one side only!!

Cheers!

Actually... i forgot to post my results on that.

The Soundcard is fine. I plugged an mp3 player into it, both left and right signals were fine.

The mixer has 2 outputs (L/R) but i was only using the left, and because my Soundblaster only has 1 Line-in. I'm hoping that a stereo Y-cable with 3 1/4" heads will fix the problem. I mean how else would it be possible to record in stereo... unless it just isn't possible with the Soundblaster Live! card... in that case... i'm f**ked! hehe

 

[The Ghost of FM]

Actually... i forgot to post my results on that.

The Soundcard is fine. I plugged an mp3 player into it, both left and right signals were fine.

The mixer has 2 outputs (L/R) but i was only using the left, and because my Soundblaster only has 1 Line-in. I'm hoping that a stereo Y-cable with 3 1/4" heads will fix the problem. I mean how else would it be possible to record in stereo... unless it just isn't possible with the Soundblaster Live! card... in that case... i'm f**ked! hehe

What you need is an insert cable which has two TS plugs at the mixer's end for the left and right output jacks and a singular TRS mini plug on the other end to plug into your PC.

Like this; with your 1/4" to 1/8" adaptor;

http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--HOSSTP20

Cheers!

 

[Monkey Allen]

I am having the exact trouble as the original poster. I have the soundblaster live 5.1 platinum.

My connections are:

Condenser mic...xlr out...xlr into preamp...xlr out...1/4 adapted to 1/8 into "line in" of soundcard.

I am only getting Left channel too. Although there is a weak signal in my right headphone can, nothing registers in the level indicator (in Guitar Tracks Pro2). Sometimes, like you say, I too get a little blip in the right channel.

When I read you said you were coming out of the left channel jack of your mixer I got a little disappointed...because that sounds like it's the cause of your probs and all you need is that Y adapter.

This isn't the case for me...my chain of connections is ok but I still only get Left channel.

I was thinking for a while that maybe the "line in" was only for mono. But reading your post I realise it isn't....so I'm still stuck as to a solution for me.

any help...I would really love

 

[johnzo]

You don't know how happy i feel to hear that~!!!! I could kiss you...... if you were a hot chick...

I'm gonna pick up one of those cables tomorrow morning...! Can't wait...

 

[johnzo]

I am having the exact trouble as the original poster. I have the soundblaster live 5.1 platinum.

My connections are:

Condenser mic...xlr out...xlr into preamp...xlr out...1/4 adapted to 1/8 into "line in" of soundcard.

I am only getting Left channel too. Although there is a weak signal in my right headphone can, nothing registers in the level indicator (in Guitar Tracks Pro2). Sometimes, like you say, I too get a little blip in the right channel.

When I read you said you were coming out of the left channel jack of your mixer I got a little disappointed...because that sounds like it's the cause of your probs and all you need is that Y adapter.

This isn't the case for me...my chain of connections is ok but I still only get Left channel.

I was thinking for a while that maybe the "line in" was only for mono. But reading your post I realise it isn't....so I'm still stuck as to a solution for me.

any help...I would really love

So i'll assume you already have that Y-cable then.

Have you tried plugging a Walkman/Discman into your Line-in to determine whether it's the soundcard or not??

 

[Monkey Allen]

No I haven't done that with a discman. And no I don't need that Y adapter because my preamp has only 2 types of output

1. XLR......they are stereo aren't they?
2. 1/4".....That's stereo too right?

You said your mixer had 2 outputs...a left and a right. Mine isn't like that. It just has the two different types of outputs....but I think they are both stereo right?

I mean, they don't make preamps that output only in mono do they?

My preamp is an MIC200
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM04/Content/Behringer/PR/MIC200.html

 

[The Ghost of FM]

No I haven't done that with a discman. And no I don't need that Y adapter because my preamp has only 2 types of output

1. XLR......they are stereo aren't they?
2. 1/4".....That's stereo too right?

You said your mixer had 2 outputs...a left and a right. Mine isn't like that. It just has the two different types of outputs....but I think they are both stereo right?

I mean, they don't make preamps that output only in mono do they?

My preamp is an MIC200
http://namm.harmony-central.com/WNAMM04/Content/Behringer/PR/MIC200.html

Um, no. Your pre-amp is a balanced, MONO device!!!

Cheers!

 

[Monkey Allen]

Ok, can you explain that to me? Are you saying that my whole preamp device is only for mono output??

That's kind of bad isn't it?

So it will only ever record onto my left channel? This is very, very bad. I can't have that!!