Audacity : Record stereo that is playing in browser
This discussion focuses on recording stereo audio from a Chromium browser using Audacity on a Raspberry Pi 5. The user encounters an issue where only a single volume slider appears in Pulse Audio Volume Control when selecting the USB Audio Device Analog Stereo as the recording source, indicating a potential misconfiguration. Despite setting up a stereo track in Audacity, both channels output the same audio signal, suggesting a limitation or configuration error in either Audacity or the audio hardware setup. The user questions whether the mono microphone configuration is affecting the stereo recording capability.
- Familiarity with Audacity 3.0.5 audio recording software
- Understanding of PulseAudio Volume Control for managing audio sources
- Knowledge of Raspberry Pi 5 hardware and its audio capabilities
- Basic concepts of stereo vs. mono audio configurations
- Investigate PulseAudio configuration for enabling stereo recording channels
- Explore Audacity settings for managing audio input sources
- Research USB Audio Device Analog Stereo specifications and limitations
- Learn about configuring MIDI in PulseAudio for multi-channel setups
This discussion is beneficial for audio engineers, Raspberry Pi enthusiasts, and users of Audacity looking to troubleshoot stereo recording issues in Linux environments.
Swamp Thing Messages 1,047 Reaction score 798I am running Audacity on a Raspberry Pi 5.
I am following the steps given here https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/tutorial_recording_computer_playback_on_linux.html trying to record in Audacity a stereo track playing in Chromium browser. This sound is concurrently being sent to a speaker via "USB Audio Device Analog Stereo", whose "monitor" channel outputs the signal that I want.
My problem is that when I go to Pulse Audio Volume Control -> Recording and select USB Audio Device Analog Stereo as my recording source, I see only one single volume slider. The instructions, however, say that two volume controls should appear if stereo recording is working correctly.
In Audacity, I am able to start up a stereo recording track, but both tracks contain the same sound (the sum of the left and right signals from the browser). The single PAVU volume slider controls both their levels.
Am I missing some obscure setup option that needs to be changed? Or is it a basic limitation of Aucacity on the Pi? My audio hardware is a USB sound device with stereo playback and mono microphone. Is the mono mic configuration somehow forcing Audacity to work in mono, even when the source is not from the USB device? If so, can this be overridden to get stereo?
Last edited: Sep 29, 2025- How symmetry can come to the aid of machine learning
- The future of AI could be great—or catastrophic
- Researchers harness large language models to accelerate materials discovery
Since noone offered any help I’ll just throw my 1 cent in there ….
I’ve had a similar problem setting up MIDI. Have you configured Pulsar to use 2 channels? Cause that is the error message I keep getting.
Swamp Thing Messages 1,047 Reaction score 798 I will look up more info on pulse config and see if there is something that helps, thanks.Similar threads
- Sep 30, 2024 · Replies 14 · Oct 8, 2024
- Aug 5, 2023 · Replies 3 · Dec 2, 2023
- Jan 18, 2024 · Replies 4 · Jan 19, 2024
- Nov 14, 2016 · Replies 14 · Nov 16, 2016
- Nov 27, 2005 · Replies 2 · Nov 27, 2005
- Dec 9, 2020 · Replies 1 · Dec 10, 2020
- Jun 7, 2018 · Replies 4 · Jun 9, 2018
- Dec 12, 2016 · Replies 14 · Dec 15, 2016
- Mar 20, 2015 · Replies 3 · Mar 31, 2015
- Apr 7, 2020 · Replies 6 · Apr 8, 2021
- Started by WWGD
- Nov 11, 2025
- Replies: 22
- Computing and Technology
- Started by Neutrin0
- Nov 27, 2025
- Replies: 101
- Computing and Technology
- Started by nsaspook
- Oct 8, 2025
- Replies: 32
- Computing and Technology
- Started by Hornbein
- Nov 22, 2025
- Replies: 10
- Computing and Technology
- Started by sophiecentaur
- Oct 17, 2025
- Replies: 30
- Computing and Technology
- Started by Greg Bernhardt
- Feb 28, 2026
- Replies: 3
- General Engineering
- Started by Greg Bernhardt
- Feb 28, 2026
- Replies: 4
- General Math
- Started by Greg Bernhardt
- Oct 13, 2025
- Replies: 35
- Other Physics Topics
- Started by Greg Bernhardt
- Sep 29, 2025
- Replies: 28
- Quantum Interpretations and Foundations
- Started by Greg Bernhardt
- Sep 2, 2025
- Replies: 22
- Quantum Physics
- Started by Greg Bernhardt
- Sep 2, 2025
- Replies: 33
- General Math