Everything Records to One Side!

[t-dubs]

We have a computer recording setup with a small Crate mixer going to the line in to record. Everytime we record something and play it back, everything goes to one speaker. Even when we burn what we recorded to a cd and we play it, it still only goes to one side of the speakers. However, if we make a beat from Fruity Loops or something, whats made on the computer will play through both sides, but anything we record through the mixer will not. What is the problem, and how can we fix it? Thanks.

 

[Freudian Slip]

Are you working with a stock sound card?
I assume you're not recording into multi-track software?
What type of plug is going into the sound card.
What software are you using to record.

See if there is an option to save the file as mono or stereo. what ever the opposite of what you are doing right now is.


I'm going to sack up and guess you need purpose built audio recording card & a free multi-track recording program.

Tell us more about your set up and you wil get better answers.

F.S.

 

[t-dubs]

Yes we are useing a stock sound card, Soundmax Audio or something, and we are useing Acid 4.0 to record. We were useing just a regular 1/4" guitar cord going from the line out of the mixer into the line in of the computer, but now we're useing some cord that has two rings on it instead of just one, still a 1/4'' jack. I guess this cord is for recording but when we record it still only plays back through one side. The mixer is powered and I think it's mono, so would that have anything to do with it?

 

[pandamonk]

Yes we are useing a stock sound card, Soundmax Audio or something, and we are useing Acid 4.0 to record. We were useing just a regular 1/4" guitar cord going from the line out of the mixer into the line in of the computer, but now we're useing some cord that has two rings on it instead of just one, still a 1/4'' jack. I guess this cord is for recording but when we record it still only plays back through one side. The mixer is powered and I think it's mono, so would that have anything to do with it?

It's cause you're recording a mono signal in stereo. Because mono is just one signal it'll just go to one side, generally left. There should be an option to record in mono, so try that.

 

[Freudian Slip]

It's cause you're recording a mono signal in stereo. Because mono is just one signal it'll just go to one side, generally left. There should be an option to record in mono, so try that.

Yep.

F.S.

 

[t-dubs2]

Ok so we fixed it I guess. Since the mixer is mono all we did was switch the cable to the mic input of the computer, since that is the mono input. Seems to be working right now, until we get a new mixer.

 

[pandamonk]

Ok so we fixed it I guess. Since the mixer is mono all we did was switch the cable to the mic input of the computer, since that is the mono input. Seems to be working right now, until we get a new mixer.

It should go from the mixer into the line-in of the computer, not mic. How do you have everything connected? You should be able to choose mono/stereo in your software. I also don't think the mixer will be mono, unless it's dead old. You should probably connect the main/line(1/4" jack) or tape(phono) outputs to the computer(1/8" jack), via a Y cable, with either 2 1/4" jack, or 2 phono, to 1 mini stereo jack. If your mixer is stereo then you will have a pan pot, which you can either put centre, and record in stereo, or pan left and record in mono in your software. If you wanted, you could pan guitar left, and something else right, and record two mono tracks, or one stereo track, which you could later split to two mono if you wanted.

 

[Freudian Slip]

It should go from the mixer into the line-in of the computer, not mic. How do you have everything connected? You should be able to choose mono/stereo in your software. I also don't think the mixer will be mono, unless it's dead old. You should probably connect the main/line(1/4" jack) or tape(phono) outputs to the computer(1/8" jack), via a Y cable, with either 2 1/4" jack, or 2 phono, to 1 mini stereo jack. If your mixer is stereo then you will have a pan pot, which you can either put centre, and record in stereo, or pan left and record in mono in your software. If you wanted, you could pan guitar left, and something else right, and record two mono tracks, or one stereo track, which you could later split to two mono if you wanted.

Some mixers have mono & stereo outputs. If so using the mono out put would be the way to go inthis case (if you're going to run through the whole mixer).
But, ya You do not want to run into the mic input. There's a reason there is a line input. Figure out a way to switch to a mono track (which may not exist because of how the soundcard shows up) or get a 1/8 inch Y adaptor that goes into your computer line input and get a Y or use the stereo outputs coming out of your board and connect them together.

When you set your track to record see if you can select just the left input as your source. If you can that should give you a mono track.

By the time you get all the Y cables and spend the gas money running around you will have invested almost enough to get a entry level recording soundcard that would solve your problems.


http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--EMU8803

I'd personally buy more of a card than you need right now like this one
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--THKMIMD442

but it's just a suggestion.

Good Luck

F.S.

 

[t-dubs2]

The second link you posted is actually the exact card we are looking at buying. Right now were just getting started, getting to know things, but yes eventually we will end up getting that card.

 

[Freudian Slip]

The second link you posted is actually the exact card we are looking at buying. Right now were just getting started, getting to know things, but yes eventually we will end up getting that card.

Cool. You will be able to do alot more with that card and it has the potential to sound way better.


F.S.

 

[pandamonk]

The second link you posted is actually the exact card we are looking at buying. Right now were just getting started, getting to know things, but yes eventually we will end up getting that card.

Remember that with the delta44 you will still need preamps though.

 

[Freudian Slip]

Remember that with the delta44 you will still need preamps though.

Well He says he has a small crate mixer but, it may do us some good to know exactly what small crate mixer it is???


F.S.

 

[pandamonk]

Well He says he has a small crate mixer but, it may do us some good to know exactly what small crate mixer it is???


F.S.

Yup !

 

[Freudian Slip]

Yup !

You picturing one of those self contained powered units?

Me too

As long as it has channel inserts it will do.


F.S.

 

[t-dubs2]

Yeah it's a small 6 channel powered crate mixer. PA6fx or something like that. That's not the exact name of it but you get the idea. Here in a week or so we're going to buy a new unpowered mixer so that will solve a lot of problems, but for now were useing that. My old band has had it for a while now and we always just used it for practice but we don't really play anymore so I decided to use it for recording since i've always wanted to set my own studio so to say up. It works for the time being.

 

[pandamonk]

Yeah it's a small 6 channel powered crate mixer. PA6fx or something like that. That's not the exact name of it but you get the idea. Here in a week or so we're going to buy a new unpowered mixer so that will solve a lot of problems, but for now were useing that. My old band has had it for a while now and we always just used it for practice but we don't really play anymore so I decided to use it for recording since i've always wanted to set my own studio so to say up. It works for the time being.

You could buy a small mixer, or just buy stand-alone preamps with the delta44. The cheapest 4 channel pre i know of, must be the SM PRO AUDIO PR4, although i doubt it'll be of high standard. I can't see it being any worse than a lot of the small mixers available though.

This is the cheapest I've found a delta44. They also sell the m-audio DMP3 for the cheapest I've found. This is a well respected preamp, with many many good reviews. At $145, I'd get two of these, and a delta 44= $425... that's my suggestion