Line In records one channel only

[RGB]

I'm trying to record -my first time-trough line in of my Vista Acer laptop, Realtek High Definition Audio, but it records one channel only -the left one-. I have checked the balance in the Realtek settings. When I plug it in microphone it records both channels, but in mono. Both tests done with the same high quality cable. I have used the play-back RCA conections of my cassete deck, and rec. out of my Sony amplifier.

When I try this in my other laptop, Windows 7, it records ok in stereo with the same cable.

What can I do?

[kozikowski]

You have an actual blue Stereo Line-In on your computer? Most laptops don't.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/ ... pSound.jpg

But if you do, make sure Audacity is set to record stereo in Audacity Preferences > Devices > Recording .

You posted in Audacity 1.3 forum. If you're really using Audacity 1.2, you should upgrade right away.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/update.txt

Also...

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/wind ... rding.html

Koz

[RGB]

Many thanks for your advice. My laptop has a blue line in and I'm using the Audacity Beta version. I have checked the Realtek Control Panel settings set to equal rec. balance, and Stereo in Audicity. But it keeps recording only the left channel. It does the same whether I set the Realtek stereo mixer as mandatory or the Line In.

If I plug that same cable in my other laptop -Windows 7- it records in Stereo ok.

Could it be a faulty Realtek driver? I have been tempted to download it from Realtek but don't know how to do it.

Is it posible for a faulty driver to cause a channel loss?

[kozikowski]

Is it posible for a faulty driver to cause a channel loss?

It's possible for a channel loss to cause a channel loss. Has this physical connection to the computer ever worked? They do break. If you're doing everything exactly right and it still doesn't work, then we may need to cast a wider net.

You checked the cable and the sound source on another computer. This is insanely valuable because now we have a known, good, working test kit.

This isn't written in stone by celestial fire, but I don't know of a driver failure that picks and chooses which channel it's going to accept -- although I'm sure there are some. In general, they recognize the connection or not.

I'm treading water while I think of something else to do. Left-Only is one of the symptoms of trying to record the mono Mic-In instead of the Stereo Line-In. I don't know that this is valuable or not.

I don't know.... Clean the connection? Swab a little rubbing alcohol or vodka on the plug and put it into the connection and rotate it a couple of times. Pull the plug and clean it with a fresh paper towel, replug and turn again. Anything?

Set Audacity to recording and "mess with" the connection. Rotate it , Pull it partially out and push it back. wiggle the cable a little.

We haven't told people to use Windows Sound Recorder in a long time. Leave Audacity closed and..
-- Windows Sound Recorder
-- Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment

See if you get a stereo show that way.

Koz

[steve]

Try this and let us know what happens:

Plug in the two RCA connectors into the cassette deck and the mini-jack into the computer. Ensure that all connections are well seated then make a test recording.
I presume that the left channel records OK and the right channel is a flat line? Is that correct?

Now unplug the two RCA connectors and swap them over so that they plug into the opposite RCA socket on the cassette deck. Check that all connections are well seated and make a second test recording. What happens now?

[RGB]

I'ts a pleasure and a honour for me to be helped by gurus like you.

Well, I have done the tests you reccomended me:

First of all I placed my two laptops side by side and with Udacity running, inserted the mini-jack in the blue line in of both alternatively. Once again the Win 7 one recorded in perfec stereo and at the correct volume easily. But the other one -Vista- kept recording only the left channel.

I have swapped the RCA red and white terminals at the cassette output. The same.

I have wiggled the jack, semi unplugged it and... the same.

I recorded in Windows Sound Recorder... the same, it only records the left channel.

I have to rise the input volume at maximum in Windows and in Audicity, and even so, it records at a rather low level.

And other odd thing happens: When I listen to the recorded left channel through earphones I hear that left channel but... in mono! I mean, I hear the left channel in the two ears. The same happens when I listen to that left channel recording in my other laptop. And yes, the dead channel, as seen in Audicity, is absolutely flat.

Any idea?

[steve]

It's sounding increasingly like either a hardware fault or a design limitation.
I guess that it is possible for it to be a driver problem, though not one that I've come across before.

To update the drivers you would need to go to the manufacturers web site (http://www.acer.com/worldwide/selection.html) and find the driver download section. Then download the drivers for your computer - note that it is vitally important that the drivers are the correct ones for the exact model number of your computer and for your version of Windows. If you're not sure which are the correct ones, get someone to help you. Installing the drivers is usually just a matter of running the installation program and (carefully) following the on screen instructions.

[RGB]

I have updated the Realtek driver, but my laptop keeps recording the left channel only and at a low level.

I have replaced the conection cable, but to no effect.

When I use the microphone in -pink- it records both tracks, but in mono. I am no sure if that 2 tracks are the left channel duplicated or left and right channels mixed.

Many thanks again.

[steve]

When I use the microphone in -pink- it records both tracks, but in mono. I am no sure if that 2 tracks are the left channel duplicated or left and right channels mixed.

That's normal for many sound cards. It's probably the left channel.

I have updated the Realtek driver, but my laptop keeps recording the left channel only and at a low level.
I have replaced the conection cable, but to no effect.

Have you checked the Windows Control Panel settings? On Vista and Win 7 these can override all other settings.
See here for how to get to those settings: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... es#vistacp
(it's a little bit complex because there are multiple "levels" of right clicking and selecting "properties" and "advanced" settings, but that page should guide you through the maze.)

[RGB]

Thanks again for your time.

I have re-checked the Control Panel settings and they seem to be ok and fit Audicity ones.

In desperation, I have plugged my earphones in line-in and recorded with Audicity, then tapped each ear cup. The left channel recorded a slight wiggle in its track when I tapped the left ear cup; right track completely flat.

Then I tapped the right ear cup... and nothing; flat right and left tracks.

Don't know if this silly test will help.

Tomorow I will try to get in touch by phone with Acer Spain (I am a spaniard), but don't hope much from this.