Mono VS Stereo 14/" Jack, Recording question
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Posted on Dec 30, 2004 08:56 am
ZX6R1033
Perdido
Member Since: Dec 15, 2004
Stupid question but here goes....
I have just started to buy individual pieces to build a recording studio. I started off by plugging my Electric guiter directly into the sound card just to record something and get a feel for how everything went. Yesterday, I go my Behringer V-Amp 2 that I had ordered, and proceeded to hook it up the same way. It sounded good, but ever since the beginning of all of this, the recording has had quite a bit of hiss, and a rather low sound. I knew this wasnt the way I was recording, because I tried the preamp output from my amp at one point too.
So moving on...
I decided to take the V-amp up to my room and hook it up to my stereo... and quickly realized what should have been obvious... a mono 1/4'' jack does not play stereo! My computer had been seperating the channels AFTER it had recorded onto the computer in only one channel.
so to make a long story short (or a little longer), here is my question...
If I buy a 1/4" Stereo cable to run from the headphone jack on the V-amp to the computer input, will that increase the sound and possibly do away with some, if not all, of the hissing? I am, of course, assuming that the hissing is caused by the open/unused channel.
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Dec 30, 2004 09:01 am My personal recommendation is to record the track in mono, not stereo. Unless you are using stereo effects in the Vamp, record it in mono.
Also, I am not sure, but I believe the Vamp has separate outputs for left and right, if so, what you need is two mono cables, if your sound card has a single stereo input, you will then need a cable or cable and adapters that make two mono jacks go into a single stereo plug.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 09:04 am I am using stereo effects in the V-amp on some tracks. My big gripe here is... How do I make that hiss go away? or even, how do I turn the volume up on the recording? I have my guitar all the way up, and the V-amp as high as it will go (as per the instructions in the how to section) and I am seeing red, as close as I can get it without clipping, and the volume is unbelievably low.
Dec 30, 2004 09:06 am What sound card? Make sure the input channel on the sound card is up too.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 09:09 am It is the onboard sound card... 16 bit 44Khz. The plug in the back is a 1/8" stereo jack, like walkman headphones. I know there is a correct technical term for that, but I dont know what it is.
I had been blaming the sound card for the low volume until last night. Then it occured to me, this sound card is the same one that plays MP3s back, and they dont sound that bad. It captures sound at the same quality it plays back.
Dec 30, 2004 09:12 am recording and playing back are two very different tasks...just cuz it plays back doesn't mean it can record. onboard cards are not generally built for recording, and the 1/8" jack doesn't help matters either, they are just noisy jacks.
However, you need a two mono 1/4" to one stereo 1/8" cable or cable and adapter to record in stereo.
What is the onboard sound, just typical AC97 or Sound Max, or ESS or what does your device manager in the Windows Control panel say it is?
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 09:17 am It is an AC97. If I have to deal with the noise and low volume, so be it. I am getting a new sound card soon anyway. I just figured maybe the way I was recording might have something to do with it.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 11:37 am You may be plugging into the mic input, use line in if it's available. If you plug into the mic input, then the crappy preamp and converter built into the computer is being used, and that will probably introduce hiss and the like.
There's also the windows volume applet to consider. You can go into the advanced section of the volume control and change the levels of stuff. Also, if you're recording through line in, make sure the mic is disabled (i think you can only use one at a time, but figured i'd mention it).
In your recording software, the program may create two mono tracks from a single signal. I'm sure most proggies do this a little differently, but I'd think you could change that to create 1 mono track, then add stereo effects after it's in. I know n-track works along those lines, but others may vary.
hth
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 12:51 pm The AC97 has a line in, and a mic jack? I didn't know that, so there is a good chance that is exactly what I did. I assumed that 2 of the three were outputs.
OK, here is the question now then...
the card has 3 plugs on the back... (virtical, obviously) I believe the speakers are plugged into the top one, but I cant check as I am at work. I was using the bottom plug for the recording. Is that the mic jack?
Dec 30, 2004 01:08 pm good shout pjk, that is so often the prob, but I never remember to ask that.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 01:38 pm You should hire him to be your salesman sidekick.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 02:08 pm small commission, of course.
could be paid in ice cream, i'd gather.
this is why it's so cool to have a community forum like this. others see what one may miss.
Dec 30, 2004 02:14 pm I think its already been hammered on this thread but the main issue with the hiss and low volume will inveriably be due to the AC97 onboard sound chip.
I started with this before I got my card a little over a year ago and realised way doon the line it wis the internal card.
Only solution was to replace it for any serious results to get good. But, for the concepts of recording/mixing etc - the onboard job will do, for now. You will experience latency (A delay between playing/playback) which can be off putting etc but aye, it can be done.
Good luck to ya. Tho, as you say yer getting a new card anyway soon, this will make a big difference and should help somewhat (dependant on the card you buy of course).
Cheers
Coco.
ZX6R1033PerdidoMember
Since: Dec 15, 2004
Dec 30, 2004 02:21 pm Income tax return will bring with it much needed gear. A couple of pieces I have already picked out. Others, I am still looking around. Sound card is one of them.
Don't get me wrong... I am not computer illiterate (although spelling is another story) nor am I unfamilier with music. The reason I ask questions that seem so stupid is that I have learned through past experiences that when a person believes they know something, and a problem arises, a very important item may be overlooked due to the "know it all" attitude presented. Therefor, I will start from scratch. And, yes, this means asking painfully stupid questions.
