M-audio solo = left channel only??

  • Thread starter Thread starter echidnagod
  • Start date Start date
E

echidnagod

New member
I was recently recording using a studio projects c-1 microphone via xlr into an m-audio audio buddy preamp via 1/4" stereo jack into the line-in on a soundblaster audigy 2 soundcard. Knowing the soundcard is not made for recording, I wanted to upgrade to a firewire interface. After reading and asking around, I settled on the m-audio solo. I install all the drivers and hook everything up, go to record... and now all I have is the left channel. Before I was recording in both channels, but now it's one. Doesn't matter what program I try. I've been told I'm "trying to record a mono source to a stereo track"... but no one tells me how to fix that problem! Is it just not possible with this hardware? I find it hard to believe that I need to have two microphones when I didn't have a problem before. Was I recording mono before just split between left and right (if such a thing exists...). If anyone can help that would be EXTREMELY appreciated! I record almost all acoustic instruments, so I rely heavily on the microphone. I really don't want to record all my songs in the left channel only... :(
 
It's not technically possible to record a single mic in stereo with any hardware. Now if you have 2 mics you can record one on each channel. With you soundblaster, you were not technically recording a single mic in stero even though it probably produced a stereo waveform. I believe you sound blaster just coppied the left (mono) channel to the right channel which made it appear stereo. Someone may be able to explain that a little better...

If you really want a stereo wav for whatever reason, convert it from mono to stereo or copy the mono track and place the copy on another track and pan.
 
Before I was recording in both channels, but now it's one. Doesn't matter what program I try. I've been told I'm "trying to record a mono source to a stereo track"... but no one tells me how to fix that problem! Is it just not possible with this hardware?
Click to expand...
Mentalattica has it mostly right, but the explanaition might be a bit confusing. Let me try and confuse you even more ;) ...

First, the microphone is outputting a mono signal into the preamp. There should be no reason to record it as stereo. In fact, if you record it as a mono signal, that will actually give you more flexibility when mixing. I'd recommend recording in mono. But it's up to you, you can do it either way.

You haven't mentioned what recording software you're using, so I can't give you specific mouse clicks to use, but I can give you the general recipe. Both the problem and the fix lie in how you have your software set up to record from the sound card. Somewhere in the Preferences/Options/Setup of your software there should be an option screen where you tell it what soundcard to use, right? Somewhere on or near that screen there should be options on what kind of track to record to. That is currently set to "Stereo".

To record to a mono track (recommended) you'd need to select the option that would say something like "Left as Mono". To record to a stereo track (optional) you'd have to select "Left as Stereo" and not just "Stereo".

HTH,

G.
 
Okay. I think I've got it! I'm actually quite excited to be recording in mono. I'm told that what I was doing before is a big space-waster, too, since it's basically duplicate information. As far as software goes. I've been using Acid, even though it's 'made for looping and not recording'... but I find it easy. And I've just started to try out Ableton Live since it came with it. Do you know how to specify to take the mono track in either of these programs? I'm looking around but at first glance it looks like there's a pull down list with my m-audio, but no where to say "left channel for mono" only! Hmm...
 
echidnagod said:
Okay. I think I've got it! I'm actually quite excited to be recording in mono. I'm told that what I was doing before is a big space-waster, too, since it's basically duplicate information. As far as software goes. I've been using Acid, even though it's 'made for looping and not recording'... but I find it easy. And I've just started to try out Ableton Live since it came with it. Do you know how to specify to take the mono track in either of these programs? I'm looking around but at first glance it looks like there's a pull down list with my m-audio, but no where to say "left channel for mono" only! Hmm...
Click to expand...
I can't tell you about Live, but in Acid (as of v4) the setting is in the Record setup dialog box that pops up when you hit the Record button. At the bottom of that box is a pull-down selector labeled "Record Device". I'm not sure how yours will read with the mAudio device, but the pull down should have several selections for the mAudio, one that that would include in parenthesis (Mono, Left Channel) or something close to that in wording.

G.
 
in live, its simple: Create an audio track, route the input to whatever you are using, arm the track and press record.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top