I’m not a Windows elf, so the best I can do is recommend global tests and changes and see what happens.
If you open that stereo test file in Audacity, do you get two tracks, one above the other with roughly equal size blue waves? Left is on top.
If you have good success with an older Audacity you can totally go back to that one—if you wrote down which one it was.
Koz
Ok, Audy, you gave me a lot to do. It’s interesting that short clip played ok on your system. Not sure what that means other than I can’t take face value what I see on the wave-form pattern. I’m really burnt out on this now, and my dog is looking at me, as if to say, “What about me?” So, I’m going to walk her now, and give it a rest for now.
Please monitor my post, as I’ll probably pick it back up tomorrow.
Thanks again for your assistance in this matter,
Sincerely, Kevin P. (a grateful veteran)
See: AndyMusik, Above.
Break the system down into pieces and troubleshoot each piece.
Audacity doesn’t get its sound from devices, drivers, or software. It comes from Windows. Count the number of times we tell people to make sure Windows Enhancements are turned off to cure a sound problem.
Do Not Run Any Other Software at the same time as Audacity. Zoom, Skype, Meetings, Games, etc., all affect the sound.
Do a Clean Windows Shutdown. Shift+Shutdown > OK > Wait > Start.
Open up Windows Control Panels > Sound and look for a Balance Slider or Control. Make sure it’s in the middle.
As you do these tricks, look for changes, not just whether or not it cured your problem.
Koz
That may be the only thing you can take at face value. Did my sound file look OK when you opened it? If it did, now you have two things that work OK. My file and the Audacity file management.
Put on your headphones and listen to that file. Is my voice the same volume left and right and does the Mono (third track) sound like it’s coming from the middle? I would try to listen directly to the sound card behind the machine rather than depending on your music system and its connections.
Koz
I think you’re right Koz. I’ll try that tomorrow, too burnt out now to deal with it. I need a beer.
I experienced something similar with an early version of Audacity 3 on Windows.
The track gain-slider of a stereo pair would only act on the left channel, when it should act on both.
I think it stems from this bug … How to remove multi labels from stereo halves? - #6 by waxcylinder
Sorry, I think I read the earlier post wrongly.
I read it as Blaze had posted the audio file, but I see now it was Koz and I commented incorrectly.
But I think I am correct in assuming it is Blaze that has the problem…and…
even after all this posting we still do not know how Blaze created the unbalanced track…? what the settings were OR what the output file sounded like
Blaze…post screen dumps of your settings in windows and Audacity for the various pieces you are recording.
That’s me.
I found it handy to have test files and predictable samples available for tough problems.
Depending on how that display worked out, we resolved the problem of being able to depend on the meters. Always a good thing.
Koz
It’s also good to know that as a fuzzy rule, Audacity doesn’t apply effects, filters, or corrections during recording. So if the meters and blue waves look like that during recording, then it’s something upstream causing that problem.
it’s my own MP3 I want to edit, YouTube, Spotify… stream.
I think I just turned up another branch of this problem. You’re not recording a simple microphone. You’re capturing on-line/internet content and that’s far from simple. To do that, the computer has to run the playback and the recording sides at the same time and cross them. The error could be caused anywhere in either branch.
Lucky you.
Koz
So, now I am confused…??
I always try to get audio problems sorted within Windows first… them worry about Audacity.
Is Blazes’ problem fixed now…??
What was the real problem…??
When we left Blaze, he was experiencing his beer therapy. I don’t think the problem is resolved.
I want to stress that it’s really bad form to just vanish once your problem is solved. This is not a Help Desk. It’s a Forum with users helping each other. Tell us all about what happened.
Koz
Update…
I will try to be clear, and concise while answering prior questions to get clear and concise advice.
No, the problem has not been fixed, HOWEVER, I think I’m closer to the culprit, and in my “step-by-step” approach ran into another related issue with recording streaming audio.
I have in my desktop PC two audio circuits. 1. Realtek, that is my ASUS motherboard OEM component. 2. ASUS Essence STX 2 plug & play sound card.
I use the sound card for my primary music listen (through my “old-school” Onkyo receiver), and Audacity audio streaming recording. Ie: Spotify, YouTube… as well as editing converted vinyl to digital albums (ie: eliminate pops, skips, hisses…)
I’m 99% certain the issue is with my very expensive, top of the line, rated 2nd overall… (can you tell I’m discussed with lack of quality in most products today?) Essence STX sound card!
To answer Koz’s question about L/R sound balance. There is a definite lowering of sound output from the left side, when recording from the sound card. Which is reflected in the sound-wave graph in Audacity. This fact makes me confused by your statement Audy; “The file plays for me OK in Audacity and L and R are same volume. and I hear it pan from L to R.” When you said, “The file” I’m assuming the sample file I uploaded with my original post? It clearly shows a huge decrease in volume on the left channel. When I listen to anything captured, that decreased sound-wave is clearly reflected while listening. I’m not sure how it sounded ok on your equipment???
The sound balance is fine through my Realtek, HOWEVER, the other issue I touched on briefly is that when I set up the recording “device” in Audacity, as well as in Window’s Sound Settings, to the default of Realtek, Audacity does not register any sound while playing music regardless of the source, ie: my own audio, YouTube, Spotify… In other words, it’s “flat-line” on the sound-wave graph, and while I click “start monitoring” on the indicator, no sound is detected.
There is only two possible inputs; “line-In” & “mic”. I’ve tried them both, as well as played around with Audacity “audio settings” Interface… toggled between; MME, MS Soundmapper, Windows Direct Sound, Windows WASAPI
I’ve temporarily uninstalled the Essence STX software, and driver. Before I re-install it, I’ll wait to hear back to see if there is anything I should try with the Realtek while it’s isolated.
Sorry for the long post; want to give you a comprehensive assessment. Thanks again guys.
Sorry Koz. Please read my lengthy post. The problem has not be resolved. I needed to call it quits for the night, thought I mentioned I was going to pick it back up today.
I would never be disrespectful when someone is helping me. I’m not one to “bite the hand that feeds me”.
Blaze
So technically, you didn’t say you were coming back tomorrow, although we could imply that.
The file plays for me OK in Audacity and L and R are same volume. and I hear it pan from L to R.
As was explained a bit later, that was in reference to my perfectly prepared and balanced voice test, not your error file.
And that brings us to:
If you open my test file, does it show both sides equally and can you hear it correctly left to right?
Koz
brb, let me find your test file. I’m assuming you mean for me to load it into Audacity, and see it’s function?
Not so much being very bad mannered on purpose, but many of our posters are on deadline with someone pounding on the door to pick up the product. Once we resolve their problem, they vanish in a puff of cartoon smoke to finish the job.
We would urge that they come back later and say what happened.
Does my Left-Right sound file look and sound OK?
Koz
I’m sorry Koz, I can’t find the test file you posted, can you re-post it?
The forum is running under bright, shiny, new software and we’re still getting used to it.
You can’t find the sound file because the forum only displays a sound player, not the actual file.
Control-Click on the player > Save Audio As > LRMonoPhase4.mp3.
And as way above, I expect the blue waves to look like this.
Koz
Blaze has risen…
You say you have a default soundcard in your PC, I assume that is the builtin on on the motherboard with probably Linein/lineout on back and Headphones/Mic at front but doesnt matter.
I think to help eliminate sound card problems you should uninstall your “costly” sound card and unplug it completely. Then start up the PC and check the onboard audio Realtek is installed in Device Manager and no Yellow question marks or Red X’s. and check settings in Windows Control panel and check if it works on its own. attached is copy of typical sound card settings…
I will try that Audy. fyi: yes, it’s the standard soundcard on the motherboard that comes with the computer. Now. IT works fine, LR Windows acknowledges it’s existence, I’m able to play my desktop speakers through it… The problem lies in that Audacity recognizes it as a “recording option” but when I select it in Audacity, AS WELL AS in Windows sound settings, it simply does not record, flat-line.
I’ve already uninstalled the software, and driver. I’ll do as you suggest, and physically pull it out, reboot, and see from there. It might be a “conflict” issue, sorta like the Middle East, well hopefully not that bad. lol.
I’ll let the thread know what I find.
