Troubleshooting

If you weren't able to record successfully by following this tutorial, please check the following:

I only get one side of my guitar or microphone recorded

You may be recording a mono signal through a stereo input. Guitars and microphones produce mono signals. Click the tracks Input control and select the appropriate side of your stereo pair, either left or right as opposed to stereo.

Also, make sure you don't have a mono adapter going into the Line-in and that you have the Left side of your sound card (mono) chosen for input in SONAR.

Previously recorded tracks are mixed into my new recordings

This can happen when your soundcard is set to record everything that comes out of your computer speakers.

1.	Open the Windows Volume Control window:

Windows 7: Click the Windows Start button and go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Volume Control.

The Volume Control window appears.

2.	On the Options menu, click Properties.

The Properties dialog box appears.

3.	In the Adjust Volume For section, click Recording.

4.	Click OK to close the Properties dialog box.

The Record Mixer appears.

5.	Make sure What You Hear or Stereo Mix (exact name various depending on the sound card manufacturer) is not selected. If this option is enabled, click the Select check box below the desired input (normally Line In or Mic).

This problem can also occur when you are using an analog mixer in your setup. Carefully follow all of your signal paths to ensure that your sound cards audio output is not being looped back into itself.

You should also consider the possibility of your microphone picking up the signal from your speakers or headphones.

Only a flat line or silence is recorded

Open the Windows Volume Control window:

Windows 7: Click the Windows Start button and go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Manage audio devices.

The Windows Mixer controls the volume levels of your sound card inputs and can also mute any input or output device.

The Windows Mixer looks like this:

When you open the Windows Mixer it may be labeled Playback or Recording. We want to see the recording controls.

 

See also:

Tutorial 1 – Creating, playing, and saving projects

Tutorial 2 – Using the Browser

Tutorial 4 – Playing and recording software instruments

Tutorial 5 – Working with music notation

Tutorial 6 – Editing your music

Tutorial 7 – Mixing and adding effects

Tutorial 8 – Working with video

Tutorial 9 – Exporting, CD burning and sharing