Records in stereo I think but can only monitor myself in mono?

[mateenj]

Hello everybody. I had a random question about recording. I recently asked for some help recording my band and everyone here was very helpful. I ended up getting Logic Express (which hopefully I can confirm is very reliable and a phenomenal program, thanks for those who suggested) and the process has been going surprisingly well. A few problems have come up obviously, mostly the issue of mono/stereo tracking (if that's what it's labeled as). Basically, when we try to mix and hear the sound of an instrument through the speakers or through headphones before we record, it only comes from the left speaker. I realize this is probably a very simple problem, but it's somewhat frustrating and I have read through much of the manual. It records in stereo just fine and sounds great, but I want to mix it beforehand so we can mess with the EQ and get the mics placed ideally especially for drums. What can I do to get it coming from both speakers and insure that what I hear is what shall get recorded. Also, how loud is a typical recording recorded as because we do not want low level recordings. Is there an average dB level or something along those lines.

Thanks a bunch, especially brandonbury,
Mateen

[brandondrury]

Hey dude,

Welcome to recording hell!! This is just one step in a life full of audio frustration. Get used to it.

In all seriousness, I've never even looked a computer monitor with Logic on it so I'm probably of limited help. However, I'll give a stab at it.

Are Your Sure It's Logic?
What happens when you play audio through Windows media player (assuming you are on a PC)? Does it play on both sides? This should give you an idea as to whether problem exists in Logic or elsewhere. From the info I have thus far, it's possible that your problem lies in your hardware. Please write down your entire rig, please.

Hint: Make sure that Media Player is using the same outputs that Logic does.

Output Setup
In Cubase SX3, I have complete control of where the outputs go. In Vegas, I could only select stereo pairs as outputs. I'm guessing that Logic is a little closer to Cubase SX3 in that you can select the outputs to go wherever you would like them to.
Take a look at your outputs and make sure the proper outputs are selected.

Panning
Is it possible that you have everything panned? (I know, it's unlikely!)

When you list your gear, make sure you to list the soundcard you are using. I've got a gut feeling that an 1/8" cable may be involved here.

Brandon

[TimRP]

Are you recording mono sources (vox, etc.) to a stereo track or to a mono track.

[mateenj]

I was sending two mics. One for the low end of the piano, and one for the high end.

This is my setup:
I have an acoustic piano beind mic'd on low and high end. Both of them requiring phantom power which is provided by the Presonus Firepod which they are hooked into (inputs 1 and 2). The firepod is hooked up to the labtop and I'm using Logic Express. The output I used to monitor them was either the headphones output or this other output CPR Output 1 or something. That's where I think the problem lies, maybe I need to monitor myself using outputs 1 and 2 corresponding to their individual inputs. On Logic, I have enabled a stereo track with inputs 1 and 2 being read. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I thought that the main output for monitoring on the back of the firepod should give me the complete stereo signal. I'm using a quarter to eigth inch converter, so brandon is right, there is an eigth inch cable involved here. But is that a problem? Thank you all for any help,

Mateen

[brandondrury]

Also, how loud is a typical recording recorded as because we do not want low level recordings. Is there an average dB level or something along those lines.

I totally missed this part of your first post. I recommend starting a new thread for this one.


It seams we need to do some troubleshooting. The links in your chain are:
Logic Express
Presonus Firepod
1/8" headphone adapter
Headphones


We need to test all of these to find out of there are the problem.

#1 Did you try playing an audio file in Media Player? If this plays music in stereo,, then Logic is the problem.

#2 I'm guessing you have a different soundcard on your laptop. Try using it instead of your firepod. I'm pretty sure that Logic will still play with your stock soundcard. See if this fixes it. If your default soundcard works fine, but your Presonus Firepod does not, it's clear that either your Presonus Firepod is faulty or is not configured properly.

#3 1/4" to 1/8" are the worst damn things on the planet. I refuse to buy another headphone with 1/8" EVER again!! These are the must unreliable pieces of shit you will ever come across. Never both trying to make music with these. It's impossible!!

#4 It's possible that your headphones are messed up. Did you try a different set?

Brandon

[DogpitStudios]

I am a logic user and have a few solutions that I have come across with similar problems. First of all, I never use the stereo input option and only record using two separate mono inputs to gain control of the tracks separately, but this shouldn't be the cause of your problems. I have a gut feeling that your 1/4"-1/8" converter is a mono converter and not a stereo converter. You have no idea how many times I have run into this problem and given up in a matter of minutes. It's made it to my list of top 5 things to check when something goes wrong. Check that out, then get back to us.

Ben