Audacity Version: 2.0.6
Operating System: Windows 7
I am trying to digitise audio tapes into our Records Management System. I am using a TASCAM CD-550 deck connected to a Behringer UCA202 USB controller that’s plugged into my PC and using headphones as a quality control check.
The tapes I’m recording are language tapes. The English version is spoken first, followed by the native language. I’m having problems with a couple of tapes where the English version is coming out of the left earphone and the native language is coming out of the right earphone. When I record them,Audacity is only picking up on the native language version.
So, when I play back the recording I can only hear the native language version. I’ve tried changing the recording from mono to stereo, but this hasn’t fixed the problem. I’ve also changed the Devices from mono to stereo and it still hasn’t worked.
Is there anything else I could try?
Thanks in advance
Deek
You have a festival of diagnostic tools available.
When you plug your headphones into the tape machine, do you get the left-right ping-pong effect and do both of the tape machine’s sound meters work left, right, left, right?
Plug the headphones into the UCA202. You may need to switch the MONITOR on, I forget how it works without opening mine up. Do you get the left, right, left, right, there? Stop the tape.
Download and import this 39 second stereo test clip into Audacity.
http://www.kozco.com/tech/LRMonoPhase4.wav
Plug the headphones into the computer headphone connection. Play the clip. Does my voice go left right at the correct times? “This is my voice on the left!”
Set up to record your tape. Right-click on the red meters > Start Monitoring. Start the tape (This will start the meters without going into record). Do the meters follow left and right or are they exactly the same and missing one of the directions?
Koz
At least one of those tests is going to fail (probably). Take notes. What failed? Koz
Hi Kozikowski,
Here’s what happens
When you plug your headphones into the tape machine, do you get the left-right ping-pong effect and do both of the tape machine’s sound meters work left, right, left, right? - It’s a larger socket. so, I don’t have a suitable connection with me, However, I can get one if you think it will help the diagnosis.
Plug the headphones into the UCA202. You may need to switch the MONITOR on, I forget how it works without opening mine up. Do you get the left, right, left, right, there? - Yes
Plug the headphones into the computer headphone connection. Play the clip. Does my voice go left right at the correct times? "This is my voice on the left! - Yes
Set up to record your tape. Right-click on the red meters > Start Monitoring. Start the tape (This will start the meters without going into record). Do the meters follow left and right or are they exactly the same and missing one of the directions? - The left one is missing one of the directions
See attached Screen Shot. hope that helps?
Man, this is rough to see. Two panels to the right of the microphone it says 1(mono) recording channel. That’s where your second channel is going.
You can set it right there with the pull-down, or
Audacity > Edit > Preferences > Devices > Recording > Channels: (2) Stereo.
Koz
Thanks. I will try it out and let you know.
Cheers
Deek
Hi Koz,
I’ve changed the settings and this is what’s happening.
On the TASCAM unit: The English speaker’s voice registers on the right sound meter. The replier’s voice registers on the left sound meter.
Using Audacity: Using the stereo mode. The English speakers voice does not register at all. both sound meters are flat lining. The replier’s voice registers on both meters.
It’s probably something simple, but it’s doing my head in trying to work it out at the moment.
thanks
Deek
Is the USB cord tight both ends or failing?
Did you follow the green box here when you set up the Behringer in Windows Sound http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_recording_how_to_s.html#rinstereo?
Gale
Hi Gale,
I will check and let you know.
Thanks
Deek
Thanks for your help Gale. much appreciated. It worked a treat.
Deek