FastTrack + Shure + Audacity = left channel only :-(

[raindog308]

I'm trying to record my voice.

I have an M-Audio Fast Track and a Shure SM58 microphone. I downloaded and installed the driver for my OS (Win 7 64-bit SP1) from the M-Audio site. I have stereo selected on the M-Audio, which is coming into my computer on the USB port.

All works fine...but Audacity only recognizes the left channel.

I'm not the world's sharpest audio guy...really I just want to get a nice recording of my voice for a podcast series. Is there something obvious I'm doing wrong? I'm using the latest 1.3 - just downloaded it tonight.

[kozikowski]

I have stereo selected on the M-Audio,

Where did you do that? There is no switch on the M-Audio for that.

The M-Audio seems to be a basic mono device and it would be normal for Audacity to only record one channel. You can tell Audacity to record mono and it will appear in both stereo outputs. If you're doing this in the software interface or driver, then consult your instructions.
Koz

[raindog308]

My M-Audio Fasttrack has a push-button that says Stereo/Mono.

However...now I notice that it's labeled "input monitor".

Does this mean it can input stereo or mono, but only output mono?

[steve]

To record stereo you would need to use 2 microphones. 1 mono microphone (such as the SM58) will always be mono.
If you only want to record from 1 microphone, use input 1 on the FasTrack (the three pin XLR input),
set Audacity to record 1 input channel (mono) using the Device Toolbar http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Device_Toolbar
The recorded audio will play correctly through both speakers.