Audacity Forum

I have some question and answer discs and tapes which have excessive separation. The question is almost entirely from one speaker or earphone and the answer from the other side.

I have an assymetric hearing loss, but still have binaural hearing. The poorer ear helps the other, but when I try to listen to these stereo recordings I can either hear the answer well or the question well. I need a monaural track so that both the question and answer are intelligible to me.

I have tried to combine or mix the stereo tracks so that both the questions and answers have the same amplification and sound quality, but cannot do so. I have tried the quick mix function, but that doesn't seem to function. No matter what I try the "Mono" is grayed out on the Mix bar. I just cannot combine the two tracks. I have gone repeatedly to the FAQ and the Help area as well, but know that there must be a very simple solution.

Before you can select the"Mono" option, you need to select "Split Stereo Track". Then select "Mono" on both tracks. Export as either a WAV or MP3 and your resulting track will be in mono.

thank you very much. your instructions were great. it does exactly what i have been trying to do.

too bad i spent so much time trying to find out how to do it from the FAQ and Help.

You're welcome! I guess that question hasen't been asked enough to be classified as Frequently Asked.