Fix mono recording issues with 2-channel interfaces

Problem:

On two-channel audio interfaces like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 or the Behringer U-Phoria UMC22, if you only have the XLR microphone plugged in, and you record something, by default audio will only come out of the left channel (your left headphone/speaker).

The right channel will be silent because it’s is expected to record the line/instrument input. Here’s how to fix it.

Solution:

On macOS:

1. Open “Audio MIDI Setup.” This an app, not a setting.
2. Find your interface, it will be called something like “Focusrite USB” or “USB Audio”
3. Make sure you select the Input (There will be 2 entries for your interface, select the one that says “1 in / 0 outs”)
4. Change the “format” to “1 channel, 16-bit Integer 48,0 kHz”

For Windows, see this video

You only have to do this once 🥳