M-Audio Fast Track and Audacity recording problems

[steve21]

So, I got a new computer (w00t new computer) and I just got around to trying to record on it.

My setup goes

Bass > Effects > Amp with the amp on master volume 0, then from the direct out of the amp I plug into a 1/4 cable into the instrument input of the M-audio. From here I get the tone of the amp/effects in an easy headphone-capable practice source.

However, when I'm recording, I'm experiencing some weird problems.

When I try recording on a single channel, nothing is picked up.

When I try recording on two channels, only the right channel gets recorded.

Any tips on what to do?

 

[steve21]

New development... when I record with two channels (stereo) even though it only records in one channel, if I split the stereo channels then make that channel mono, it works normally... is there any way to get it to work normal from the get-go, or is this something that's just what you have to live with?

 

[lemur821]

I think you'll just have to live with it. The Fast Track USB is set up so that the microphone input ends up on the left channel and the instrument goes on the right channel. This can be handy at times, but the upshot is that programs like Audacity that don't have sophisticated channel selection force you to work around it as you have discovered.

 

[steve21]

That's weird though, because before I used to be able to make it work (Before the new computer).


Well, it's okay I guess because what my long-term plan is is to eventually get a mic (Shure SM57) and a mic stand so I can go direct + mic'd.

Until then... guess a guy's gotta work around the system. Thanks.

 

[steve21]

No other people with any experience with this?

I'm more concerned with how it worked so well the first time around on my last computer, but acts weird on this computer...

 

[lemur821]

That's funny. Were you using Audacity, and (more importantly) are we talking about the same piece of gear?

 

[steve21]

Every part of the rig is the exact same except for the computer.

I should mention I got Cubase on my last computer RIGHT before it broke down on me, and the Fast Track acted like that on Cubase, but it was normal on Audacity.


(Okay, I lied, my rig wasn't exactly the same, my Planet Waves tuner came back in the mail from D'Addario, but I doubt that'd have an effect on it)

 

[lemur821]

But we're both talking about the Fast Track USB, right?

 

[AdlerAugen]

audacity = you get what you pay for.

 

[lemur821]

audacity = you get what you pay for.

It's true, I am getting fed up with the program. I used to be a fan, but....

EDIT: What I'm using now: Ardour.

 

[DocBop]

Every part of the rig is the exact same except for the computer.

I should mention I got Cubase on my last computer RIGHT before it broke down on me, and the Fast Track acted like that on Cubase, but it was normal on Audacity.


(Okay, I lied, my rig wasn't exactly the same, my Planet Waves tuner came back in the mail from D'Addario, but I doubt that'd have an effect on it)

I have Audacity and FastTrack and it does the same your describing. I just take the track and split it and make it mono. No big deal a couple clicks. As someone noted the problem is probably FastTrack and how it splits the signals.