Mixing problems

[space_cowboy]

I'm using audacity to record guitar with a microphone. For some reason it is only recording on the left side. When I put on headphones it will only play on the left. I have no idea why it is doing this. Any help would be very appreciated, thanks.

[kozikowski]

Do you have your system connected to a WIndows Laptop? Did you plug into the Mic-In on the side? Most Windows machines have a delicate, low level, Microphone In on the side of the unit. It's mono. Only one channel. If you want to record powerful, high level, Stereo performances from your guitar or amplifier, you may be in the market for a USB sound card.

http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9477

Koz

[steve]

I'm using audacity to record guitar with a microphone.

I presume this is a mono microphone, in which case you should set Audacity to record "1 channel (mono)"
go to "Edit menu > Preferences > Devices"

If at a later stage you want to apply a stereo effect, you can convert the track to 2 channels using the following method:
1) Select the track
2) Ctrl+D (duplicates the track)
2a) If you already have multiple tracks in the project you may need to drag the new track up so that it is adjacent to the original track.
3) Click on the name of the upper track and from the drop down menu select "Make Stereo Track". The selected track will be joined to the track below it to form a stereo track.

[space_cowboy]

I'm using a sure sm57 mic connectioned to a moblie pre usb preamp. I attempted to select the make sereo track but it would not allow me. It continues to only record on the left side

[steve]

What happens when you set Audacity to record "1 channel (mono)"?