Misc mono/stereo questions

[alexslevcove]

Hi, I did a little looking around to see if I could find people with similar questions but I didn't come across anything, so hopefully I didn't just overlook something obvious.

First, I've noticed that if I export a file that's just done in mono, it sounds as clear as it did in the project. However, if i make a version of the same project that has left and right components, the file has a subtle, but noticeable noise that comes with it. Basically, when exporting files, the mono projects sound clear and crisp, but anything done in stereo sounds great in the project but a little distorted, or muffled, or fuzzy after it's exported.

Second, when i record something that's in stereo (say, an acapella track or something) from the sound card using the "stereo mix" option, then i play it back in audacity, it ends up being a mono version. Is that supposed to happen? Is there a way to record a stereo track straight from the sound card that preserves the left and right distinctions present in the original?

Any input would be appreciated, thanks!
alex

[kozikowski]

You posted in the Audacity 1.3 forum. Are you using Audacity 1.2? Audacity 1.2 defaulted to recording in Mono. Check or change in Audacity Preferences.

If you are using Audacity 1.2, you should probably stop. It's dangerous on modern computers.

Koz

[alexslevcove]

Hi,

It just took some tweaking of settings to get things smoothed out, I just wasn't sure where to look for the settings I needed to mess with.

Thanks!