Cannot Record Stereo

Special Interest Groups Recording Techniques
1

This topic has been covered before but I have not found an answer that solves my problem.

I am recording an LP that has very distinct L and R channels. When headphones are plugged into the amplifier output jack there is a very strong stereo effect. I unplugged the headphones and ran a stereo cable between the amplifier headphone jack and the Mic jack on a Win10 PC.

In Audacity I selected Edit > Preferences > Devices > Recording > Channels is set to 2 (Stereo).
After right-clicking on the speaker icon > Stereo Mix > Device usage is enabled.
Selecting Advanced > Default Format is 2 channel, 16 bit, 44100 HZ (CD quality).

But after recording and listening with headphones plugged into the PC HP jack the recording is clearly mono. Why no stereo?

2

For starters you mic jack is mono.

What you are looking for is an inexpensive USB phone adapter such as the Behringer U-Phono UFO202 USB Audio Interface with Phono Preamp.

3

You are absolutely correct. I should have know that. It looks like the Line In will work (no need for the USB device).

4

You are absolutely correct. I should have know that. It looks like the Line In will work (no need for the USB device).

Right! Line-in will work with a headphone-level signal. …Most people now have laptops with no line-in.