Computer Into Mixing Console Is Coming Out Mono?

[GDeHavenIV]

Hi all,

I just introduced a desktop computer into my set up. I only use it to have internet in my studio and to play my drums along to iTunes. I do not use any kind of recording software or interfaces. Not yet anyway.

I am using a stereo 1/8" male to 1/8" male cable with a stereo 1/4" adapter to connect the computer to the board.

I am plugged into input 16, which is not labeled MONO or L/R. It looks like this: l/O

The board is then connected to a digital portastudio via L and R XLR cables.

From there, the portastudio is connected to a big home stereo via L and R (white and red) RCA cables into an AUX in.

Here's my problem:

The mix that comes out of the speakers is MONO and I cannot pan the mix L or R.

I have also tried an adapter that allows me to plug the 1/8" stereo male into an 18" female splitter that changes to RCA L and R. Plugged the RCA cables into channel 23/24, which is L (white) and R (red) and it's still MONO.

Any help is appreciated. I can't figure this out!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

You are connecting a stereo output to a balanced mono input in your first example (1/8" stereo to 1/4" stereo cable). In your second example (1/8" stereo to two RCA plugs) the adapter may be designed to split a mono signal to two mono signals. You need a cable that keeps left and right separate.

Generally speaking cables that split a stereo signal have color coded or marked ends on the split side while cables that split a mono signal to two outputs aren't color coded or marked on the split end.

Also, a 1/4" or 1/8" stereo plug will have two black plastic bands and three metal contacts (tip, ring and sleeve or TRS) while a mono one will have on black band separating two metal contacts (tip and sleeve or TS). It's a little confusing because there's a kind of mono 1/4" cable, called "balanced", that looks exactly like a stereo unbalanced cable. You need an adapter that goes from a single 1/8" stereo TRS plug to two 1/4" mono TS plugs or two mono RCA plugs.

 

[Farview]

Are you coming left and right out of the mixer to a left and right input of something else and making sure that the inputs of that something else are panned and routed correctly to two speakers?