New To Group And Troubles Recording In Stereo

  • Thread starter Thread starter zunebuggy
  • Start date Start date
Z

zunebuggy

New member
I am new to this board and new to home audio recording. I recently got two mixer boards: ALPOWL F-4A and Depusheng DX8. I got 2 mics for these boards plus instruments. Try as I might, I can get Audacity to record in stereo. I can get 2 channel with the same exact audio on each channel.

I broke down and got two USB mics, still the same thing. No separation. Just 2 channel mono.

Besides USB I have tried Mic Input on my PC and Line In on my PC. Yes, I was using stereo 3.5mm stereo to Y connector that has left and right, which I tested for stereo on my old cassette recorder.

I guess my sound card on my CyberPro PC is mono junk. So are my mixer boards, but my mics are pretty nice.

Why is it so difficult to record in stereo on a PC in 2024? I actually have several instruments that I would like to add as individual channels in Audacity, but for now, I would just be happy to record in stereo.

I have resorted to buying 2 Dell 3020 PCs and I have Audacity on each. I have a tone generator app on my phone. I start both Audacity apps recording and then play the tone and then record after the tone. Then I take audio from one PC to the other and combine them in Audacity and and align then audio based on the tone from my phone app. This results in stereo audio, but it is ridiculous I need to do it this way.

Thank you for any tips on how to set up my home studio.
 
zunebuggy said:
I am new to this board and new to home audio recording. I recently got two mixer boards: ALPOWL F-4A and Depusheng DX8. I got 2 mics for these boards plus instruments. Try as I might, I can get Audacity to record in stereo. I can get 2 channel with the same exact audio on each channel.

Thank you for any tips on how to set up my home studio.
Click to expand...
I don’t even know what you have - and can’t figure out what you are doing - Just get an Audio Interface - Stereo In/Out and record in stereo - i have no idea why you are jumping through hoops.
 
zunebuggy said:
Can you recommend one? Thank you.
Click to expand...
I started with a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 Generation 3, and I still use it. It has 4 inputs and 4 outputs. Very affordable price in my opinion. They have a 4th Gen now.
 
I do remember long ago being this lost trying to figure out the internet... It's not that easy for all..
 
The DX8 is a USB mixer and should show up in Audacity (if you don't know how to set that up shout)
Let us say you have a mic in channel one and another in ch2? Now, you MUST pan ch 1 hard left and ch 2 hard right otherwise you will end up with double mono, a mix of both mics.

But yes, an good AI will make life simpler and easier but don't get rid of the mixers (well, the little one looks pretty junk?) I suggest an AI to start with which has two mic inputs and two further line inputs. That way you will be able to record 4 discrete tracks. I can strongly recommend the MOTU M4.

Dave.
 
You know, using the abbreviation AI for audio interface can be a bit confusing, especially with the current concerns regarding artificial intelligence. Every time I see it, I think AI, ie artificial intelligence. It reminds me of when I used to do delivery work and I was on Knightsbridge and I saw this regal building with BNP glazed on the front. My initial reaction was "How have those racists managed to snag such a building in such an expensive and prime location ?!" But it wasn't the offices of the British National Party, it was the Banque Nationale de Paris ! :whistle: They later merged with Paribas to become BNP Paribas.
 
don’t forget that usb mics can rarely be used two at once. Macs can sort of do it but windows really struggles. Ive never made it work. If you dont have an interface, your computer is probably just about happy doing a stereo line in, but quality can be very variable. As your mixer doubles as in interface, that removes the computer from struggling with audio in. The panning asvice above is what you need to now experiment with.
 
grimtraveller said:
You know, using the abbreviation AI for audio interface can be a bit confusing, especially with the current concerns regarding artificial intelligence. Every time I see it, I think AI, ie artificial intelligence. It reminds me of when I used to do delivery work and I was on Knightsbridge and I saw this regal building with BNP glazed on the front. My initial reaction was "How have those racists managed to snag such a building in such an expensive and prime location ?!" But it wasn't the offices of the British National Party, it was the Banque Nationale de Paris ! :whistle: They later merged with Paribas to become BNP Paribas.
Click to expand...
A "U" I mayhap?

Dave.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top