no stereo recording

[Imper]

Hi

I'm using audacity 1.2.6 to bring my records to MP3/wav but can't get it to record stereo only mono.
I'm using the pink mic front input on my realtek audio card.
I noticed the float meter shows only left (mic) input no right and no outputs.
Loading an mp3 file (different source) it shows the stereo allright.
I use turntable and mixer/amplifier to pink front input
What can be wrong, how can I test if stereo is working at all from the mic input ?

thanks in advance

Bert

[Irish]

I'm using the pink mic front input on my realtek audio card.

That's what's wrong. The mic input is mono only, and is too sensitive to take the output from a turntable/ mixer.

There should be a blue line-in socket on the sound card, which will give you a stereo line-level input, assuming you have a desktop machine and not a laptop.

Have a read of this for more detail.
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php? ... uter_or_CD

PO'L

[Imper]

Hi Irish,

Thanks that's a good one, I remember I tried the blue socket on the rear before and got no input signal at all, then there must be something wrong with the soundcard settings/driver ??
I will retry ...

cheers,

Bert

[Irish]

If you right-click on the loudspeaker icon on the taskbar and select "Adjust Audio properties" you should get a window which will allow you to select the input you want to use.
The details will be different depending on your sound card and whether you are using XP or Vista, but you should be able to select "Line-in" instead of "Mic".
Sometimes the settings are cleverly hidden, so click on every option in the window if you don't find it immediately.

PO'L

[Imper]

Hi,

Thanks,
Yes, used the blue rear line input and yes could select the blue line in settings (plugged in live and selected the turntable from the pop up menu) I've got the music on my speakers and the balance is working.... but
if I start audacity and start recording still only a mono trace can be seen.
make stereo track is greyed out, only the left eq is working (the one with the mic)
What I'm I doing wrong ?

Cheers

Bert

[steve]

If it is a USB turntable you do not plug it into the sound card - see here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php? ... uter_or_CD

[Irish]

From your description in your first post, I'm assuming it's not a USB turntable.

Check in Edit > Preferences > Audio I/O tab > Recording
Are Channels set to 2 (Stereo)?

PO'L

[Imper]

Hi Irisch,

Yes.... ah it works; stereo... great (bloody setting)
OK start recording again.

Thanks, have a guiness on me
cheers,

Bert