why do I get only mono (left side) with such a setup:

[noise_maker]

I have this preamp:



when I connect small headphones (as microphone) directly to the sound card, I get stereo sound. (mic->soundcard)

but when I connect the small headphone(as mic) to the preamp, I get only the left side. (mic->preamp->soundcard)

I'm using a stereo male PL cable from the SC to the Preamp and the headphone are stereo.

I also have XLR cables, but they are mono :/

does it mean that my preamp is working only mono?
how can I get stereo sound out of my preamp ?
does anyone know this preamp at all? (ps-I bought it long long time ago..)

[Janni]

it's a one channel preamp, so: mono!

[Janni]

if you use unbalanced (chinch) you have 3 pins for 2 signals but no shielding.
If you use XLR you have 3 pins for 1 signal plus shielding... That's why...

[Mr Arkadin]

Not sure what the problem is: a mic is mono, your preamp is mono. Your descriptions are a bit odd, "like headphone (as mic)". There is only one output on that preamp that i can see, so it should be connected to (traditionally) the left input. Think of it as input 1 and 2 rather than Left and Right. Input one enters your card and if put it into a mono channel on an STM mixer and have it panned centre it will appear in both speakers of your headphones (that's not stereo btw).

If you are using a splitter cable from the preamp into your Scope card that won't really work.

[noise_maker]

if you use unbalanced (chinch) you have 3 pins for 2 signals but no shielding.
If you use XLR you have 3 pins for 1 signal plus shielding... That's why...

"if you use unbalanced (chinch) you have 3 pins for 2 signals but no shielding "

3 pins?
2 signals = stereo ?
Unbalanced = ?

can you please explain ? :X

Input one enters your card and if put it into a mono channel on an STM mixer and have it panned centre it will appear in both speakers of your headphones (that's not stereo btw)..

I'm looking for real spatial stereo.

[Mr Arkadin]

I'm looking for real spatial stereo.

Well you're not going to get that from a mono source. Tell me, is your voice stereophonic? Most stereophony comes from the mix stage (panning mono sources to create a stereo field).

If you don't know what balanced, unbalanced etc. are you really need to read some technical audio books, otherwise you will continue having problems and blaming the Scope card when many other factors may be at play.

[Janni]

maybe this link explains it in easy words: http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/balanced/

if you use something like a small stereo jack you have 3 pins, that means two 'hot' lines for left and right (stereo) and one shared 'earth'.
Your preamp gives you 1 (mono) balanced output which uses also 3 pins: 'hot', 'cold' and 'earth'.
If you want to record in stereo, you need 2 mics (or a stereo mic), 2 preamps and something like a stereo jack to 2 mono jacks...
If you use 2 mono mics, there are some very interesting tools for scope
Hope I could be a little help...

[noise_maker]

Arkadin, I'm after spatial tests

maybe this link explains it in easy words: http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/balanced/

if you use something like a small stereo jack you have 3 pins, that means two 'hot' lines for left and right (stereo) and one shared 'earth'.
Your preamp gives you 1 (mono) balanced output which uses also 3 pins: 'hot', 'cold' and 'earth'.
If you want to record in stereo, you need 2 mics (or a stereo mic), 2 preamps and something like a stereo jack to 2 mono jacks...
If you use 2 mono mics, there are some very interesting tools for scope
Hope I could be a little help...

thanks Janni!
you make it really easy to undestand.