Mic Input Question

**x8shred** · 11-24-2007, 09:40 AM

Hi all,

I'm another n00b to the recording process. I have a question about recording guitar using an SM57, Alesis MultiMix 12, and Sonar 6.

Basically my issue is that the mic input is recording to only one channel. This is fine since I'm recording a guitar, but is this the expected behavior? Obviously when I put this into the mix, I'm going to want to have it on 2 channels. So my question is - can I force this to record to two tracks, OR can I just simply copy one channel and paste it to the other? I've looked for a way to do the latter but have been unsuccessful.

Thanks.

**jpleong** · 11-24-2007, 10:12 AM

You can copy and paste later on in the mixing process. But you should do a search for the "Wiiiiide" post recently. Stereo isn't always best.

JP

**Tarktones** · 11-24-2007, 10:18 AM

A mono (one track) signal is fine for a guitar. You can pan it within the mix to wherever you like in the stereo field!

**MrPillow** · 11-25-2007, 02:41 PM

Plus if you copy paste the mono track, and pan them in opposite places, they will cancel and sound dead center.

**jpleong** · 11-25-2007, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by MrPillow

Plus if you copy paste the mono track, and pan them in opposite places, they will cancel and sound dead center.

Unless their polarity got flipped they won't cancel but you're right, the sum signal will place them center in the stereo spread.

JP

**x8shred** · 11-26-2007, 05:40 PM

Turns out my problem lay in the fact that in the track properties, I had the input set to stereo instead of mono. I was confused because I had set the track to mono in the console view, but apparently that only applies to output.

Anyway, with that all figured out, I'm still having an odd issue with my mixer's headphone output. The sound is only coming out in one ear of the headphones, and I can't for the life of me figure out why. Anyone run into a similar problem?