Problem: 4 tracks audio coming in from USB hardware and software only sees 2 channels

[martinbrossman]

How can I take a 4 channel USB audio input device and get it to work with software that just sees 2 channels of input? Let me explain better. I have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (providing 4 tracks to the Mac through a USB), with 4 SHURE SM93 mics, feeding into a Mac and want to record them on Mac TechSmith Camtasia or use with Google Hangouts On-air. From what I understand is Camtasia and Google Hangouts on-air only see channel 1 and 2 or right and left. We want to live record 4 people using the Scarlett 18i8 as the input device and then feed that into Camtasia or Google Hangout on-air which only sees 2 channels. Right now, it seems that Camtasia and Google Hangouts on-air only "sees" or "hears" the 1st two people, line 1 and 2 but not the 3 and 4th. What Focusrite Scarlett said is I need some type of "virtual mixer, where you can take multiple inputs and then send out a stereo output. Your software would then be able to then and record it." I think I understand but don't know where to go next to make it happen.

 

[Fishrrman]

Why not record and mix using -other- DAW software that CAN handle 4 channels.

Then, "mix down" from 4 channels to two.

Then, open the mix with Cabtasia.

Did the Focusrite come with some DAW software "bundled in" with it?

 

[martinbrossman]

Fishrrman, thanks for asking. I am new to this and it comes with a mixer so come kind called the "Scarlett MixControl". I not sure what DAW is, will look it up. Also the other issue is with Google hangout on-air where we are recording live for many of our podcast show with 3 people that we want miced our end and one on the other.

 

[BeechFlyer]

Martin,

If I understand you correctly, you want to use the audio live ("Google Hangout on-air"), not make a recording and mix later, right?

If that's correct, you somehow need to create a stereo mix of your four mic inputs. From a quick glance at the manual, it seems like your Scarlett can create a stereo mix, but I can't tell if that mix is then available to read as an audio input inside your Mac for other software to use.

If the Scarlett can't do it, for sure you you get a separate audio mixer (without USB interface) and create an analog stereo mix that you then feed into your Scarlett. So your four mics go into that mixer, and the mixer output goes into your Scarlett USB interface and can be read by software on your Mac.