• MB
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Location: Halifax, UK
  • Joined: December 27, 2008

Topic: Soundcard Troubles

I wasn't sure whether to put this in Software & Hardware or Audio, but here goes.

I'm having some troubles with my soundcard, at least I think it's my soundcard that's causing them. A few days ago when I was recording I noticed that everything was recording a bit quieter in the right speaker than the left speaker, but I didn't do anything about it because it didn't seem to make much of a difference. Then today I was recording again, and just when I was about to record the guitar part my computer suddenly started recording nothing at all in the left channel, which would be fair enough if I could just record in mono, but the right channel now sounds really really awful. I have tried recording through a microphone and a line-in, and they are both pretty darn awful. So I can either record in stereo and only have sound in one speaker, AND it'll sound sucky, or I can record in mono and have sound in both headphones, but have it sound suckier. It's a bit of a lose-lose situation really.

For someone who does lots and lots of recording I don't really know much about soundcards or anything. So, is there a way of sorting it out? Will I have to buy a replacement? CAN I buy a replacement?

Thanks

- Freddy

Last edited by MB (January 18, 2009 (01:30pm))

  • Ash
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Location: Lost in the warp since 1885
  • Joined: December 27, 2008

Re: Soundcard Troubles

Right, Ive just seen this. It's entirely possible it is your soundcard. There's a chance it might not be though.
Must ask though, are you on a laptop? If not, what soundcard are you using? Also, if you are thinking about investing in a new one, are you going to go for the basic £15 or less PCI Soundcard, or would you go for a big boy's EMU professional recording soundcard with MIDI inputs and other juicy goodies.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/RockyFS/things/sigbim1_copy.jpg

-Available to answer questions on Hardware, Software, and Audio. Also, I recommend checking out the offical Free Software List
  • MB
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Location: Halifax, UK
  • Joined: December 27, 2008

Re: Soundcard Troubles

I am on a laptop indeed.

Like I said, I know virtually nothing about this kind of thing. Depending on how much I can spend though I'll probably go for an all-singing all-dancing one, considering the amount of music-related stuff I do.

Any recommendations concerning what to get?

  • Ash
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Location: Lost in the warp since 1885
  • Joined: December 27, 2008

Re: Soundcard Troubles

Hmm, As its a laptop, a PCI one like the EMU is out of the question. Maybe a Firewire Audio Interface is appropriate then? Some of them are in effect high performance external sound cards designed with recording in mind. They can get fairly pricey though.

I can't comment on the latest models at the moment, I've been out of the loop for a while audio wise, the last Computer Music I bought was a few years ago. I occasionally check the web for the latest Synth news, but that's about it. And I dont care what the magazines say, I still consider the Korg Triton Extreme modern...

Ill get back to you at some point with some small suggestions...

Last edited by Ash (January 23, 2009 (03:50pm))

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/RockyFS/things/sigbim1_copy.jpg

-Available to answer questions on Hardware, Software, and Audio. Also, I recommend checking out the offical Free Software List
  • MB
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Location: Halifax, UK
  • Joined: December 27, 2008

Re: Soundcard Troubles

Thanks very much.

I tried recording through USB yesterday and that was only recording in mono as well. Could that mean that it's just the programme I'm using (Acid Music Studio 7) being silly?

  • Ash
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Location: Lost in the warp since 1885
  • Joined: December 27, 2008

Re: Soundcard Troubles

Oooh. I get you.
Yeah, my PC records left channel only when I'm doing a direct Line in from my board and effects processing kit for some reason. I just record seperate channels and then mix them into stereo. Or I use a microphone, which does record stereo.

http://www.majhost.com/gallery/RockyFS/things/sigbim1_copy.jpg

-Available to answer questions on Hardware, Software, and Audio. Also, I recommend checking out the offical Free Software List