One speaker on line-in

[lynx]

Hi,

This should be an easy one I think. I have an external mixer and I'm recording through Cakewalk, problem is I only hear sound / can record through the left speaker. If I plug the mixer through the mic input I can hear two speakers (although incredible distorted). From what I've read the mic input is a no-no in any case. Any ideas why I can't hear through both speakers through line-in?

Thanks

 

[dachay2tnr]

Does the cable you are using to go from your mixer to the sound card have a stereo plug on the end where it goes into your soundcard?

Sounds to me like it doesn't. This would explain why it works with the "mic" input (since the mic input is mono anyway). However, the "line in" on your soundcard is stereo. If you plug a mono connection into it, it will be routed to one channel only (most probably the left).

BTW, the reason the sound is distorted when you plug into your "mic" connection is because that connection has a preamp built into it. The signal from your board is already pre-amplified. So, in other words, the signal from your board is too hot. The "mic" connection is designed for (are you ready for this)... a mic!!!

 

[lynx]

Does the cable you are using to go from your mixer to the sound card have a stereo plug on the end where it goes into your soundcard?

Sounds to me like it doesn't. This would explain why it works with the "mic" input (since the mic input is mono anyway). However, the "line in" on your soundcard is stereo. If you plug a mono connection into it, it will be routed to one channel only (most probably the left).

BTW, the reason the sound is distorted when you plug into your "mic" connection is because that connection has a preamp built into it. The signal from your board is already pre-amplified. So, in other words, the signal from your board is too hot. The "mic" connection is designed for (are you ready for this)... a mic!!!

I'm running a connection from the line-in of my soundcard to the headphone jack of my mixer, is it possible that my cable is mono-only?

 

[lynx]

Why are you running from your line in? Go from your line out! You need a cable with a stereo 1/8in jack on one end and a 1/4in TRS (stereo) on the other.....</b>


<b>Are you using the headphone jack to get a signal BACK into your soundcard so you can monitor through PC speakers? Like you are using the EQ and stuff on your mixer? IF that is what you are after why not run the speakers from a set of main or aux outs from the mixer?

I'm a bit confused as to what you are trying to accomplish.

OK, one cable running from the headphone jack of my Soundcraft mixer to the line-in of my soundcard, sounds great except for the one speaker thing. My cable may be mono, not sure...I'm assuming that could be the cause?


Never thought of running the speakers through the mixer, I guess that work in theory if I had the right connecters.

I'm trying to accomplish the following:

- Using Cakewalk, record music either through MIDI or directly from my mixer.

Up to this point I've accomplished all of that EXCEPT that I can not get a stereo sound directly from my mixer when recording through Cakewalk, or by simply playing either my guitar, keyboard, etc. through the mixer.

 

[dachay2tnr]

It's very unusual to go from your mixer headphone jack to your sound card. Most people would run from the main outs, or control room outs, or an aux bus to their sound card (if not directly from the channel(s) being recorded).

Be that as it may, I'm still guessing you have a mono plug on one, or both ends of your cable. Take a good ook at the plug on your headphones. The plugs on your cable should look exactly like the plug on your headphones. They should have two rings on them. If you only see a single ring, the plug is mono.

 

[lynx]

It's very unusual to go from your mixer headphone jack to your sound card. Most people would run from the main outs, or control room outs, or an aux bus to their sound card (if not directly from the channel(s) being recorded).

Be that as it may, I'm still guessing you have a mono plug on one, or both ends of your cable. Take a good ook at the plug on your headphones. The plugs on your cable should look exactly like the plug on your headphones. They should have two rings on them. If you only see a single ring, the plug is mono.

Excellent tip. It's a single ring on the cable, I'll buy a stereo one tomorrow and have another go, thanks.