M-Audio M-Track Plus only recording in mono.

[Kitz]

I'm a total newb when it comes to recording, and don't know very much about it. As far as I understand, the M-Track plus is supposed to be able to record in stereo. I haven't installed any of the software that came with it yet, but did try the interface out at a friends house, then again here at home. In both cases, it would not record in stereo, only mono. When I played back the recorded line, it only played sound through the left headphone instead of being balanced in both. In both instances going into the track settings, and switching the track setting to "set stereo to mono," resolved that problem, but we still cannot figure out how to get it to record in stereo. There is also a stereo/mono switch on the interface, and when set to "stereo," I only get the bass in the left side headphone can. Switching it to mono, returns the bass to both cans of the headphones. I also went through my speaker/mic properties on my computer, and that is all showing the M-Track as being the default like it should be. I am also running it usb into my computer. I don't know what else to do to fix this, am getting frustrated, and am unsure if it's a faulty box. I'm hoping someone here can help remedy this, as I know it's got stereo recording capability. Thank you.

 

[Hellbastard]

The M-track is capable of recording stereo. For that you need a stereo source, like a keyboard or a cd player.

Your bass, on the other hand, is a mono Source. So if you want to head the signal coming out of both speaker, you have to record to a mono channel.

What the Stereo/Mono switch in your M-track does is:

* when set to stereo it sends channel 1 to the left cup and channel 2 to the right cup of the headphones.
* When set to mono, it sends the signal of channels 1 and 2 to both left and right sides of the Headphones.

I don't know which software you are using for recording, but all DAWs have the option of creating both Mono or Stereo Tracks for recording.

So, what you want to do is create a MONO Track and set the correct input source. Input 1 or 2, depending o where you plug your bass into the M-track.

 

[Joe Nerve]

What hell bastard said is more practical than what I was going to say, but Ill say what I was going to say anyhow . Only because I do always get the option of recording a stereo track, even with a mono signal when using Cubase and my interface (and ancient Line 6 toneport). The signal isn't true stereo, but it's recorded into 2 tracks.

I'd advise you to keep searching the connections in your software and hardware, and doing so until you find your answer. I can't tell you how many times I had an issue that took me a week to figure out was just one simple button that I was unaware needed to be clicked. It can be frustrating at times. I also think you'd fare much better asking this question at the M-audio forum, than here. At least then you can know for sure whether or not what HB above said is accurate. Not saying it isn't, but I've never experienced the issue you're having and it sounds odd to me. I also haven't used a whole lot of recording software, either.

 

[Kitz]

Your bass, on the other hand, is a mono Source. So if you want to head the signal coming out of both speaker, you have to record to a mono channel.

What the Stereo/Mono switch in your M-track does is:

* when set to stereo it sends channel 1 to the left cup and channel 2 to the right cup of the headphones.
* When set to mono, it sends the signal of channels 1 and 2 to both left and right sides of the Headphones.

I don't know which software you are using for recording, but all DAWs have the option of creating both Mono or Stereo Tracks for recording.

So, what you want to do is create a MONO Track and set the correct input source. Input 1 or 2, depending o where you plug your bass into the M-track.

When I switch it from mono to stereo on the M Track, I only get sound in one cup. In my case it's the left, because that's the one I tend to connect the bass to. Likewise if I connect it to the right, I only get sound in the right cup of the headphones. I did at least find how to record my takes as mono inside each DAW, so when it plays back, I get sound in both cans, and truth be told, I don't hear a real difference between the mono bass line, and the stereo drum track that was recorded.
The software I'm using for now is Audacity, and a 60 day trial version of Reaper. My brother is also sending me his unopened copy of Ableton. So I'm tinkering with a few different DAW's, until I find the one I like best.