s/pdif problems with stereo

[light_without_heat]

So bear with me here, guys. I am new to both this forum and the art of recording. However, I have been tinkering around with my very limited setup for awhile with adequate results.

I recently decided to upgrade a bit and got a Shure SM7b and a ARTdps2 preamp. The preamp has a digital out (s/pdif) and my soundcard has an s/pdif in. I connected the two but I can only record the left channel.

It's driving me crazy because I can't figure out how to get it to be stereo. :confused:Probably something I'm overlooking or ignorant about but hopefully one of you could help me. Whatcha think?

[Mixwell]

You should be able to set the DAW to input from a mono source, such as Channel 1 [ODD <> Left] of the SPDIF wire coming into your interface, at which point you will be recording the ONE channel you are amplifying, and then have the DAW sum the signal to stereo inside your mix. SPDIF and AES stream Stereo Signals [Two channels per one wire] I think it would be safe to assume that since your ART is a Stereo Pre, that channel ONE [ODD <> Left] will feed the left side of this digital feed, and the Right Channel, [EVEN <> Right] will feed Channel TWO of your SPDIF connection. Simply pan up the middle and you should be there....

Hope this helps

[light_without_heat]

Awesome. Thanks for the help. I run a dual boot system right now, so when I couldn't figure it out on Linux's Ardour, I went over to Cakewalk to have a look-see.

Tried to just straight up go for the S/PDIF stereo input that it listed but it was left channel. I suppose I will have to figure out how to tweak inputs for Ardour to really get it to work as that is my main DAW. Frustrating to get new gear and not have it work!

I'm going to mess with it some more tomorrow and see how it works out. Thank you very much for the help, and as a generally flummoxed sound engineer, it feels good to be here.

[Dan]

Is the problem that your computer can't see both spdif inputs or that when it does, you can only get signal from the left channel?

If your software can only see one input, the problem likely lies with your sound card driver.

If you can see both inputs, but can only get signal from the left, then it's time for stupid questions:

Do you have a mic plugged into the right side?

Do you have the right-side digital level control turned up?

-Dan.

[bitflipper]

If you're doing it in SONAR, you should see in the list of input sources three options: left s/pdif, right s/pdif and stereo s/pdif. The exact description will depend on your interface. Also make sure you select a stereo interleave for the track.