WIP: Enhancing Multichannel / Fix Single Channel Recording

[Giermann]

I just updated the first post to include the patch required to compile along with a ready-to-use Windows build.
Read some short examples there!

[Gale Andrews]

Hi Sven

I gave your patch a go on Windows 7 (built-in stereo device).

If anyone else tried earlier and only got the second profile in Device Toolbar, change the second RecordProfile number to 2.

The dropbox link isn't working for me.

Generally the patch works well.

For all recordings, (append or otherwise) my current stereo mix device records the left channel only of a stereo source when Audacity requests mono (on another computer "stereo mix" would record a mono mix of both channels in that case). Choosing a "right only" profile records the right channel into a mono track, which is great. Is there a profile that would record a mono mix?

Append Record now seems to obey the recording channels choice in Device Toolbar. One scenario surprised me. If I append record choosing "Right only" into a stereo track, it records just the "right " of the source into the left channel of the track, silence in the right. I was expecting to record the right of the source into the right-hand channel.

I would definitely want to see a profile offered "Swap Stereo" which I think would be

Code: Select all

MaxRecordChannels=2
Name="Swap Stereo"
Channel1=2
ChannelName1=Stereo
ChannelType1=S
Channel2=1
ChannelName2=Left
ChannelType2=S

but in fact whatever you named the ChannelType2 and ChannelName2 doesn't matter. ChannelType1=S is what makes the change, and the upper track will always be called "Left" when you split it from the Track Drop-Down Menu. Is that right?


Gale

[Giermann]

If anyone else tried earlier and only got the second profile in Device Toolbar, change the second RecordProfile number to 2.

Thanks for spotting this, my fault.

Append Record now seems to obey the recording channels choice in Device Toolbar. One scenario surprised me. If I append record choosing "Right only" into a stereo track, it records just the "right " of the source into the left channel of the track, silence in the right. I was expecting to record the right of the source into the right-hand channel.

Just set up the profile like this:

Code: Select all

MaxRecordChannels=2
Name=Right Only
Channel1=0
ChannelName1=Right-only
ChannelType1=S
Channel2=2

This will pad a Stereo track with a silent left channel.
But when you append record, it will always grab the first two (selected) tracks in this case - if you have 2 Mono tracks, the first will be appended with silence and the second with the Right channel capture.
So to append a Stereo track by the Right channel only could also be achieved with this:

Code: Select all

MaxRecordChannels=2
Name=Something
Channel1=0
ChannelName1=Silence
Channel2=2
ChannelName2=Right

but in fact whatever you named the ChannelType2 and ChannelName2 doesn't matter. ChannelType1=S is what makes the change, and the upper track will always be called "Left" when you split it from the Track Drop-Down Menu. Is that right?

After some "ChannelTypeX=S" the next type and name will be ignored, it will always become the second track of the Stereo track.
Naming is being lost on splitting, as we discussed at -devel mailing list. I would like to change this - but it's another thing.

[Gale Andrews]

A user has an analogous question about setting profiles for imported multi-channel files.
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 88#p208088 .

Gale