I am using Audacity to convert cassette recordings into mp3s. My problem is that the right channel is a little lower in volume than the left. I can’t figure out how to increase the right channel volume, or decrease the left. I want them to be equal, but I can’t seem to be able to adjust the volume on each channel. When listening to the tape coming directly through headphones from the cassette player, the balance is fine.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
How did you connect the cassette machine to the computer? You can’t use the headset connection on the side of modern computers.
Most times you need a formal stereo USB adapter or the USB services from a sound mixer.
This is me recording the show from my analog stereo mixer.
That’s a Behringer UCA-202.
Koz
Using a small cassette player with a USB connection to my computer. Brand is “Reshow”, purchased on Amazon. Looks like an old Walkman, but with the USB line out.
mp3s. My problem is that the right channel is a little lower in volume than the left…
…When listening to the tape coming directly through headphones from the cassette player, the balance is fine.
Now, that’s weird. How much difference is there? Are you actually hearing the difference in the digital file or are you just seeing it?
A small difference isn’t unusual for analog (there are lots of imperfections in analog) but a big difference could indicate a different-bigger problem.
I can’t seem to be able to adjust the volume on each channel.
You can’t adjust the balance while recording but you can adjust it after digitizing. If you [u]Split Stereo File[/u] you can select & edit/process the channels independently.
Select one channel at a time and run the [u]Loudness Normalization Effect[/u] and adjust the “perceived loudness” the same value on both channels. At this point it doesn’t matter what you set the loudness to, just make them match. The peaks may be different but that’s OK. You want to match the overall “average” loudness. And if you see clipping (red) don’t worry. We are going to fix that next.
Select [u]Make Stereo Track[/u] to re-link both channels again. (You may have to Select → None to make that option show-up.)
Run the Amplify (or Normalize) effect to bring the peaks up (or down) to 0dB, and you’re done!
…There is an option to Normalize the left & right channels independently. That’s just one step to make the peaks the same in both channels (so you don’t have to split to stereo, etc.). But it doesn’t work as well for perceived loudness matching.
Thank you! I’ll give it a shot!
You can’t adjust the balance while recording
I can, and do, on my machine → right click the speaker near the clock, choose “Recording devices”, pick the line in, get Properties on it, click the Levels tab, click the Balance button
(This is Windows 7 btw)
I don’t know if this is someting that has to be “supported by the sound card”
Yes it is.
What DVDdoug was referring to, is that Audacity does not provide any facility for adjusting the balance (or any other effect) during recording. The way that I would adjust the balance would be via the mixing desk that is connected to my computer, but that really doesn’t have anything to do with Audacity.
I just downloaded the latest audacity to my windows and followed instructions to record from my Vinyl play turntable. I recorded a few albums but discovered that the left volume is dramatically lower. I see some green volume indicators on the left when I record, but could not find a way to adjust the input recording levels. I googled and found this help forum. I then followed the instructions to split stereo; normalize and rejoin but the left audio just became a high intensity electronic buzzing, so it did not work. And I confirmed that I only got the buzzing when I followed those steps. Before that I just had playback in the right channel. I don’t think this is an issue w my computer but it could be a problem w the vinyl play. Any recommendations ?
Please don’t hijack 5-year-old discussions…
I’d suggest to get a mixer and to adjust left and right channels separately, and only then send the sound to Audacity. This seems to be the easiest way. But I have never done it myself…
Good luck!
Regular Normalizing shouldn’t hurt the quality. (Loudness Normalization can push the peaks into clipping-distortion.)
And you’re saying the quieter channel is the one that sounds bad.
What does the left side sound like by-itself before you do anything? I’m guessing the buzzing and bad quality is there and you just don’t notice it until you amplify.
Isn’t there a way to adjust the recording levels without a mixer in audacity ? That seems rather limiting.
If it’s any help, I’ve always noticed a small difference between left and right using a variety of capture devices. I assumed this was normal and ‘working as intended’ but you mention a dramatic difference. Could it be something as simple as the cable you are using? Could you substitute it for another?
Mark B
We are here now, so I am going to reply.
These are the things I would try…
Try borrowing a different tape player and using it.
Clean the heads of the tape player.
Make sure the pinch rollers are all pulling with tension. If they are not, the tape won’t drag across the head evenly, causing some parts of the tape to not contact the head.
Make sure the heads are positioned properly. The tape my be too high or too low as it moves across the heads.
If you don’t have the equipment (most don’t) or the means to do the above, consider buying a new tape player. They don’t cost very much.