records on left channel only

[Nibbles]

I have been using Audacity for about a week and it has worked great up until today. The problem is, it only records on the left channel. When it first did this, I shut down Audacity and there was a notice that errors were generated and that I would need to re-start Audacity.

I shut down the computer and disconnected everything and tryed using different RCA cables and mic inputs on my mixer and tried using different mic cables as well but I still have the same problem.

I am using a new Berhringer USB interface along with Windows 2000 on my laptop with 18 gs on the hard drive and 256mb memory and 1000mghz. I am not a computer expert but I listed my system specs the best I could.

I am suspecting the Behringer is bad but would like some additional input in case I accidentally switched something I shouldn't have.

I am recording with a Shure 57 on my speaker cab and a Shure 58 for a room mic and using a Behringer powered mixer.

Thanks!

[alatham]

I agree that I'd first point the finger at the Behringer. This is the first I've heard of someone having trouble with one, hopefully for this forum's sake (since we've been known to recommend it) yours is simply faulty.

First, try using Windows Sound Recorder. Does that work?

I'd also recommend reinstalling the latest drivers for the Behringer.

[steve]

I agree that I'd first point the finger at the Behringer. This is the first I've heard of someone having trouble with one, hopefully for this forum's sake (since we've been known to recommend it) yours is simply faulty.

First, try using Windows Sound Recorder. Does that work?

I'd also recommend reinstalling the latest drivers for the Behringer.

Jut to clarify - I presume that you are pointing your finger at the USB interface.

[Nibbles]

That is correct, I am talking about the interface.

Here is an update on what happened today:

I went to the Behringer site and downloaded the driver that seemed most appropriate. I don't have windows xp but that is the one I went with. This is the first time I have dealt with downloading drivers, so I am not exactly sure what I was to do aside from loading it and unzipping it which I did.

Then I defragmented my drive and hooked up the usb and mics and so on.

I still had the same problem (which I should have clarified a little better in my original post) in that I only had a signal on the left channel/meter.

I then went to preferences and switched from mono to stereo, and both channels/meters came back! Then I went back to preferences and switched to mono and both channels/meters were working also.

After an hour of recording I switched back to mono to see what would happen and I only had the left side. So I switched back to stereo and I had both sides again. Then back to mono and still had both sides.

In summary, when I lose the right side I toggle back and forth between mono and stereo and I get both sides.

I'd appreciate any comments and thanks for all of your help!

[kozikowski]

<<<I toggle back and forth between mono and stereo and I get both sides. >>>

No. Not exactly. Audacity only reliably pays attention to preference changes after you restart the program. After you restart Audacity, the preference changes will be exactly correct.

Koz

[Nibbles]

So the fact that toggling back and forth between mono and stereo gets both meters going is a coincidence and I should be looking at replacing the Behringer usb interface?

[OggOrbisRecords]

no, you just put it in stereo.

the recording interface you use has a Left and right channel right? if you put it in mono, it will only record left or right, usually left. so you have to have audacity set to stereo.

I had the same problem with my set up, because I would try and record over songs by playing them through the mixer and then into the computer again along with my added peices, and it would only record one channel. I switched it to stereo and it picked up everything

[Nibbles]

So even if both meters are lit up it still records to only one side if in mono?

Thanks!