Two mics, two amps, 3.5mm to splitter, to PC - Why only getting audio from left side

[RedCharles]

I bought aWhat am I mic, and an amp, and I hooked it up and realized that I was only getting audio from one side. And this made sense, so I thought, I'll record in stereo with two mics, so I bought an identical set up and connected each side together with a 3.5mm splitter. However, I'm still only getting audio on one side. What am I doing wrong?

This is a video link of what I'm having trouble with.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvsO0rkUe83shrwYx33ggRP7f3XcrQ

 

[lovinthehd]

Links to the specific links to the gear's product pages might be in order, your link wouldn't work for me. What specific 3.5mm connectors do you have? There's several kinds, try this https://www.provideocoalition.com/ts-trs-trrs-trrrs-combating-the-misconnection-epidemic/

 

[RedCharles]

Weird, it's a onedrive link to a video of myself showing and explaining the problem. It should work. I've used this sort of thing in other forums.

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Splitter-Extension-Earphone-Compatible/dp/B00LM0ZGK6/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=3.5+mm+splitter&qid=1559522217&s=gateway&sr=8-3

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

The output of the Rolls pre amp is 1/4” unbalanced, which uses a so-called “mono” plug. Your splitter rig is probably a stereo headphone cable. So, the way it’s (not) working sounds about right.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[lovinthehd]

Tried the video twice and is probably my security software....

 

[RedCharles]

Interesting, I'll have to keep that in mind.

So the problem lies in my splitter cable. What about this?

https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Splitter-Computer-Multimedia-Speakers/dp/B00ZKM3SHK/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=mono+to+stereo+splitter&qid=1559522252&s=gateway&sr=8-6


Edit: I should also point out that in another recording program, I am getting audio from both sides. But it's dual mono. Each mic is recording, but it's just one stream of audio instead of a distinct left and right channel.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

That splits a stereo 3.5 mm jack. As I stated, the output jack on the Rolls is 1/4" mono.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[RedCharles]

So the problem is with the Rolls being what it is. And a different Y cord won't fix this.

 

[lovinthehd]

What are you recording?

 

[RedCharles]

Or can I solve this with a breakout cable like this?

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-153-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B000068O3C/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=stereo+breakout+cable&qid=1559523898&s=electronics&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1

I am recording myself, in my office.

 

[lovinthehd]

So stereo isn't actually necessary? I still don't know what the gear is but a lot of home gear doesn't accommodate mono input.

 

[TLS Guy]

To use two mics for stereo you don't need a splitter cable. That is NOT the way it is done. Each mic has to be connected to its own preamp and then power amp, or the input of an integrated PA amp. Normally a mixer is involved and you can assign the mic to either left or right channels or pan them anywhere in between.

If the amp is High Z then you need high Z inputs. The best mics are balanced and low Z requiring a low Z balanced input.

 

[RedCharles]

Youtube should finish processing the video soon. It's two Shure mics (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TTQMIDS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ), xlr cable into two Rolls mic amp (https://www.amazon.com/rolls-MP13-Mini-Single-Preamp/dp/B0002BG2QI/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=rolls+mic+amp&qid=1559524245&s=electronics&sr=1-4 ),and output 1/4 adapter to 3.5 mm stereo y cord to 3.5 mm cord to PC line in.

So, with a different program, wavepad, I am getting dual mono, not stereo.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

So the problem is with the Rolls being what it is. And a different Y cord won't fix this.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/YPP111--hosa-ypp-111-y-cable-1-4-inch-ts-to-dual-1-4-inch-tsf-6-inch?mrkgcl=28&mrkgadid=3303549595&rkg_id=0&product_id=YPP111&campaigntype=shopping&campaign=aaShopping - SKU - Accessories&adgroup=Cables - Hosa - ypp111&placement=google&adpos=1o4&creative=285723449924&device=c&matchtype=&network=s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-uLimpHM4gIVNf_jBx11TAyJEAQYBCABEgJnrvD_BwE

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[RedCharles]

Ok, I can fix it with a cable. Thank you.

 

[TLS Guy]

Ok, I can fix it with a cable. Thank you.

No, not with mics you can"t. You need a mixer with both channels panned center.

The only other option is to feed each mic though a buffer amp and then blend them. The easiest solution is a mixer with pan facility.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

I just noticed that you’re “combining” two signals, not “splitting.” As TLS mentioned, that’s not going to work well. What’s the point of combining two mics to do what a single one would do???

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BMXTRIX]

So many answers...

On the cheap, this is what you need:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7128&gclid=Cj0KCQjwitPnBRCQARIsAA5n84kX3j-pZmHphV15YY4r2mZMLTflNwg6fnt_zzbx_c_JpsUT9zpA54IaAgb2EALw_wcB#QuestionsandAnswers

It will take your single channel (tip/ring) mono output and split it to the left and right stereo unbalanced connections which is what you are working with.

As you move on, and get more serious, you can use mixing software on the PC, or a USB mixing board, to take in a single balanced microphone input and share it properly across two channels. Or you can take in two balanced microphones, like you have, and record in stereo, assigning one mic channel to the left, and the other one to the right.

I think almost all live studio work is recorded mono, then remixed into stereo with specific sounds, or levels, feeding one speaker more than an another as desired.

 

[RedCharles]

Ya, I'm gathering that what I did, no one does.