Can't Record in Mono with FocusRite Scarlett Solo

The FocusRite Scarlett Solo has two channels, #1 for XLR input and #2 for 1/4". When I leave #1 open and plug my guitar into #2, only the right channel records in Stereo. I get no sound at all if I’m recording with a Mono track, I assume because Audacity only looks at input #1 for Mono. (I don’t have an XLR connector to test this out.) Is there a way to get Audacity to record my second input in Mono without doing a workaround like splitting the stereo track after I record?

I am using Windows 10 and Audacity 2.1.1.

I have a Behringer UM2 and I couldn’t get it to work either. The headphone service is a mix, but the data link is either 1-mono or 1-2 Stereo. I tried all the tricks. The Mac will let me mess with the channel assignments and management, but it also assumes once I digitize something, that’s the way I want it. Full stop.

The UM2 has a 1/4" Line-In in the middle of the XLR connection. It auto switches. That works, but I didn’t like the sound when I did that. It’s fuzzy and there’s something wrong with it. It doesn’t sound as clean as the Instrument-In.

I don’t know an easy out. Did you check with the Scarlett forums? Help Desk?

Post back if you find a way. We’ll pass it on.

Koz

I wrote a note to Sweetwater Sound. We’ll find out if they know.

I don’t have a lot of hope. All the instructional videos show them working the way we already know.

Koz

The Mac will let me mess with the channel assignments and management

This sounds like what I need, unless I’m misunderstanding what you’re doing. Essentially I want to assign channel 2 to the mono track.

It’s fuzzy and there’s something wrong with it. It doesn’t sound as clean as the Instrument-In.

That’s awkward. My sound is fine, at least…

I will try the Scarlett forums/support, but it seems like a problem of Audacity simply not having the feature. Other DAWs let you select which channel you want to record from. I’ll be sure to report back if I figure it out.

Other DAWs let you select which channel you want to record from.

Such as? I ran across a lot of complaints about not being able to manage channels. It wasn’t just Audacity.

I want to assign channel 2 to the mono track.

Yeah, I know what you want, but audio arriving via USB tends to gray out the Mac tools and settings.

Koz

Such as? I ran across a lot of complaints about not being able to manage channels. It wasn’t just Audacity.

Okay you got me, I haven’t used any other DAWs myself. But I looked up some tutorials and both Reaper and Pro Tools (I think the free version that comes with the interface) have an option for “Channel 2 - Mono” on the FocusRite Scarlett Solo.

But I looked up some tutorials and both Reaper and Pro Tools (I think the free version that comes with the interface) have an option for “Channel 2 - Mono” on the FocusRite Scarlett Solo.

Maybe with ASIO drivers? (Audacity doesn’t support ASIO unless you compile it yourself.)

Some interfaces also come with a configuration utility that might give you more recording options. (I don’t know what comes with the Fosusrite.)

And if Pro Tools works for you, you can certainly use it for recording even if you prefer using Audacity as your editor.