When I record two channels from a ham radio receiver via STEREO/LINE IN, one channel of the recording is distorted. Recording in mono is always perfect. Levels are both shown to be normal during recording. Connection to Windows 10 computer is fine. During playback to a stereo headset the single channel shows very low, almost nonexistent level and is distorted. The playback bar of the distorted channel reflects this. In other words, Audacity doesn’t seem to be recording what I’m putting in, based on levels displayed in and out.
I’m recording at 44,100 Hz and 24 bit rate. Mono recordings are always perfect.
To rephrase: The amplitude of the distorted channel in playback is infinitely lower than it was during recording. During recording the amplitudes of both channels were very close to the same. I did not switch channels during recording. The left channel in mono recording was always perfect. That is the channel that is distorted in playback only with stereo recordings. It has nothing to do with the headset or speakers that I use for playback. In short, the amplitudes of the inputs during recording are normal, but are completely different (with the left channel) during playback. Audacity isn’t recording what it indicates it is.
Let’s go back to Steve’s question… Do you really need stereo? Is your ham radio really stereo? Or, is transmission on the left & reception on the right? Etc? Or do you have a Y-Splitter, sending the same signal to left & right?
via STEREO/LINE IN
This is a desktop/tower computer, right? (Most laptops don’t have line-in and mic-in is usually mono.)
I did not switch channels during recording.
If you have separate left & right connectors somewhere in the connection-chain that’s worth a try. If the problem is on the radio-side, the problem will switch to the right.
Another useful experiment would be to plug-in and record something else… A CD or DVD player, or the audio from your TV, etc.
And of course if you have access to another computer, try it.
The left channel in mono recording was always perfect.
There’s no left (or right) in mono. If you record in mono, you’ll get a single waveform and if you play it on a stereo playback system it will play through both speakers.
So, what do you mean by “mono recording”? What’s different in your mono & stereo setups?
The left channel in mono recording was always perfect. That is the channel that is distorted in playback only with stereo recordings…
…In short, the amplitudes of the inputs during recording are normal, but are completely different (with the left channel) during playback. Audacity isn’t recording what it indicates it is.
I read that three times. You can’t have perfect. matched recording levels on the sound meter and end up with very different Left and Right sound later.
See above. Swap your left and right sound and see if the trouble follows you or stays the same. If it stays the same, the problem is from the computer input to Audacity.
Also as above, Most computers have no stereo Line-In. Even Macs gave up a while ago. Only the little Mini still has one. If you only have one audio connection, it’s almost 100% sure it’s Mic-In and may distort any stereo signal applied.
