another problem discovered

[trilogia]

when transferring vinyl onto the computer you must use a "Y" adapter for the rca plugs into the 1/8 plug in the soundcard right? well, that means it doesnt record in stereo doesnt it? i just tried to record grand funk railroads grand funk and you can faintly hear one of the guitars when its being stereoed i guess is how to describe it. something isnt right here and i dont understand whats going on. when i play the vinyl through my regular stereo it sounds fine. but though my computer it wont pick up the stereo effect i guess. and whats strange is i dont think ive noticed it on any other album ive recorded. most albums are based off the left channel arent they? meaning the left channel is the monural one right? its a bit confusing, can anyone help? thanks.

[Grant]

The Y connector you are using must be summing up the two channels. You can tell what kind of connector you have by looking at the mini-plug. A Stereo plug will have two bands on it, while a mono one will have one.

Next, there is a possibility that your card is defective, your soundcard mixer, or your recording program isn't configured correctly.

You might have a bad cable.

One of the leads to your cartridge may be faulty.

The outs from your amp may be faulty.

A stereo record has a groove with two walls with each wall representing one channel. Unless the record was cut wrong, I don't see where this would be the problem.

[trilogia]

it might have been my rca cables i was using. i had one go bad on me when it was hooked up to my dvd player and i might have accidently grabbed that one. i will try another one and report back.

and on the stereo/mono plugs, you mean the little black bands around the actual 1/8 inch plug itself?

also, wondering why they make it so you need to use an adapter at all? why cant they just make soundcards with the 2 normal left and right channel inputs?

[Grant]

Originally posted by trilogia


also, wondering why they make it so you need to use an adapter at all? why cant they just make soundcards with the 2 normal left and right channel inputs?
They do. They are of higher quality than you will find in most average consumer-oriented stores like Best Buy, Comp USA, Wal-Mart, or most anyplace that sells computer soundcards. And, those Soundblaster card are EVIL!:mad: It's just that most lower-cost cards are directed towards the gamers with the music people being a distant, faint afterthought. The only low-cost widely available card available that approches the prosumer audio cards is the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. Ahh, but it STILL has a 1/4 inch plug and almos inusable digital I/O, despite the stunning performance of the digital line.

I don't use those cheapo $2 cables that come with components. I don't even use the $12 Radio Shack gold tipped cables. They are worse than the cheapos! I use audiophile cables that some like to poo-pooh as snake oil. Well, *I* hear the difference, even if it is just the electrical properties at work.

[trilogia]

just tried different rca's and they do the same thing. its either the preamp or the soundcard which is junk anyhow and needs to be replaced in the near future. oh well, this transferring vinyl is a real headache man. someone told me terratec makes some good stuff too, but its hard knowing when you really dont have the means to actually test things out for the most part before you buy. ive been debating on what to get for a soundcard for awhile now. heard good things about the turtle beach from you and others so i dont know. how much do you spend on rca cables? what kind and how much?