Problem with NADY USB-1C

[ivanhoe74]

Hello everybody,
I have a problem with NADY USB-1C microphone. I bought it yesterday, and I tried it on two computers. One computer has two operating systems (windows xp and vista 32bit) and the other computer has windows xp. Symptoms were the same on all systems. I tried to record vocals in Steinberg Cubase SX3 and Steinberg Wavelab 6.0 and in both applications left audio channel was significantly louder than right audio channel. In the same time, there was some audio artifacting on right audio channel similar to poorly compressed mp3 file. The drivers were installed automatically and windows said the device is working properly, but since I couldn't manage to make it working properly I turned it back and took another one, the same model. I tried it yesterday and I had the same problem. While trying to record stereo audio track in Cubase left channel was significantly (sometimes even 15 Db) louder than right audio channel.
I would really like to fix this problem because I like the sound of the microphone, so I'm asking you to help me with this issue.
I don't like the idea of forcing Cubase to record mono audio track, because I don't like the artifacting on right audio channel, and logically, it's applying to the recording which is harming audio quality.

Regards,
Ivan

 

[antichef]

have you tried a mono track? In my experience, you need two mics (or a "stereo mic", which is two mics in one body) to properly record to a stereo track.

 

[ivanhoe74]

I tried to record a mono track and it works, but I'm afraid that audio artifacts from right audio channel are implemented in recorded mono track. So, I guess the only solution is to record only left channel, and to copy it to right channel after recording.
I always recorded stereo tracks with every mono microphone I had because I wanter to apply stereo reverb to the vocal for example. Cubase is simply splitting mono signal from microphone to stereo signal while I record, and that's how it should work. Every mono signal can be recorded as stereo track. It's annoying that I have to record it mono, and to convert it later to stereo...or even worse, to record only left channel, to copy it to right channel etc... I feel like I paid whole microphone to get only one half of it.
Anyway, if the problem is in mono signal, why it still records right channel, only 15 Db quieter? I would expect it to record only one channel rather than both channels with different loudness..

 

[Shadow_7]

If it's just one microphone, you should be recording a MONO track. If you don't have that option, you can convert after the fact. But that gets old quick. A lot of low end soundcards have a certain bleed between channels. aka Not Full-Duplex. So even though you appear to be recording stereo, you might still only have one channel of input. Generally speaking Left is channel 1, Right is channel 2. So your description sounds logical / expected.

 

[ivanhoe74]

I am sure it's not about sound card. If I make new mono track in cubase I can't apply any stereo effect after it...I mean I can, but it will work as mono effect. The only thing I can do now is record a mono track using only left channel, and then open new empty stereo track, and move whole vocal from mono to stereo track, and of course convert it to stereo.....which is very annoying when you want to have a smooth workflow...

not to mention if I want to sing something again because I don't like it... I would have to repeat whole process again...and again...and again

 

[Shadow_7]

Perhaps try something like audacity instead. A bit simpler (not to imply simple). And maybe a bit more capable of getting the desired end result in fewer steps.

What are you trying to do anyway? Stereo effect? To do what pan left and right really fast to make people dizzy and fall down?

 

[ivanhoe74]

Perhaps try something like audacity instead. A bit simpler (not to imply simple). And maybe a bit more capable of getting the desired end result in fewer steps.

What are you trying to do anyway? Stereo effect? To do what pan left and right really fast to make people dizzy and fall down?

Basically, I can do almost everything if I just send audio to an effect channel, but sometimes I have to put effect as an insert effect...for example, if I want to make an effect of distant voice with long wide reverb. Sometimes I need an effect to be stronger than voice itself.

 

[SZC]

Basically, I can do almost everything if I just send audio to an effect channel, but sometimes I have to put effect as an insert effect...for example, if I want to make an effect of distant voice with long wide reverb. Sometimes I need an effect to be stronger than voice itself.

You need to read up a bit in the cubase manual on how to use sends, inserts, groups etc.
There are various ways to achieve what you want.
Sounds like there is nothing wrong with your mic.
Your mic is a mono device, record on one mono channel (Left).
Set up Cubase with a MONO input bus channel in 'VST connections'
The artifacting on the right channel is because there should not be a right channel when recording a mono device.
(Or use right and no left, the point is to set up a mono input.
This is not the same as a mono track)

Either send to stereo effect with the send set to pre-fader so you can turn down the direct sound of the vocal while the effect stays loud.
Or create a stereo group track, insert a reverb on that, route your vocal to the stereo group.
then use the wet/dry mix on the reverb.
You only need a stereo track if you record some thing using two mics.
Synths etc that have stereo outputs obviously need stereo track.

 

[ivanhoe74]

Ok, thank you for the advice!