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Audacity won't record input 2 of Scarlett 2i2

And I

And I

Feb 19, 2009
4,120
7,048
Witchtown, MA
#1
Hi folks!

A while back I helped the mayor's office update their podcasting setup. They now use a Scarlett 2i2 and a couple of Shure SM 48 mics. Everything was working fine until all of the sudden--Audacity won't record the 2nd input on the focusrite. The device itself is getting plenty of signal. Windows sound control panel "test" feature shows that windows is seeing the signal from the 2nd input. But Audacity will only recognize the input from channel 1 on the focusrite.

I had them install Reaper, but Reaper won't recognize the focusrite at all. Since it's a city computer, only their IT dept can install software so I wasn't able to uninstall / reinstall or mess around with any device settings.

1) Does anyone have experience with this bug in Audacity and know how to fix it?
2) Does anyone know of any other good free recording software (not Audacity, not Reaper).
 
#2
Have you tried running them in as a stereo track? I know Audacity wont usually recognize MORE than 2 inputs, but I had the 2i4 for a long time and could generally record using both channels no problem. Updated ASIO drivers? Do you have the channel routing inside Audacity set up for 2 channels simultaneously?
 
#3
Starting with a "Mono" track, Audacity will only record the channel 1 (left). If I pull down the "Audio Track" list in the track and select "Right Channel," it will record channel 2 (right) - but only as the right channel of a stereo track. I've not found a way to record a mono track from channel 2. But, you can always collapse a stereo track to mono, so that's a workaround.

upload_2021-8-18_15-39-36.png
 
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#4
I do not know Audacity at all. But I would look at your drivers (especially the ASIO drivers). Maybe reinstall them and reboot? I know that even with the bloated cost of Pro Tools that I use, sometimes a re-install or wiping the preferences is needed.

Your description of a sudden new problem leads me to this guess.

I hope that may help you.
 
#5
Ender_rpm said:
Have you tried running them in as a stereo track? I know Audacity wont usually recognize MORE than 2 inputs, but I had the 2i4 for a long time and could generally record using both channels no problem. Updated ASIO drivers? Do you have the channel routing inside Audacity set up for 2 channels simultaneously?
Click to expand...
It worked fine for many months until it didn't. Couldn't update drivers, only the city IT can do that. The guy who records the podcast opened a ticket with them to uninstall / reinstall everything, we'll see if that helps.
 
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#7
brianrost said:
As AGCurry wrote, you have to differentiate between mono and stereo tracks. The two channels of the Scarlett should be visible as options for a mono track and the pair of channels as an option for stereo tracks. If that's not the case, off to the IT guy, sorry.
Click to expand...

Actually, what I found was that - on my PC - the right channel can be recorded, but Audacity seems to treat left and right channels differently when the Record button is pressed.
 

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