I can't think of a reason why I'd ever want mono audio to only come out of the left speaker. Is there a way to tell the Finder and Quicktime Player to play mono audio on both so the sound is balanced in my headphones? I don't want to convert audio files, and I don't want to use a temporary setting that has to be undone for proper stereo sound playback. I just want mono audio to always come out of both speakers.
Mac Pro, macOS 10.14
The problem was a glitch with Core Audio. First I noticed that if I switched my Sound control panel audio output to the headphone jack or to a pair of USB computer speakers, mono files played on both channels. Switching back to my audio interface caused the mono files to play on the left channel only. I searched gear forums for my interface, and I discovered the solution. I'll copy it here, in case it helps anyone else:
Open the "Audio MIDI Setup" utility, select the audio interface in the sidebar, click the "Configure Speakers" button in the output tab. In this ensuing dialog I toggled "Stereo" and "2.0 Surround." Now mono files are playing on both speakers and stereo files play in stereo. The weird thing is that it doesn't matter which one I choose. Either option will work. I guess it was just a hiccup.
The problem was a glitch with Core Audio. First I noticed that if I switched my Sound control panel audio output to the headphone jack or to a pair of USB computer speakers, mono files played on both channels. Switching back to my audio interface caused the mono files to play on the left channel only. I searched gear forums for my interface, and I discovered the solution. I'll copy it here, in case it helps anyone else:
Open the "Audio MIDI Setup" utility, select the audio interface in the sidebar, click the "Configure Speakers" button in the output tab. In this ensuing dialog I toggled "Stereo" and "2.0 Surround." Now mono files are playing on both speakers and stereo files play in stereo. The weird thing is that it doesn't matter which one I choose. Either option will work. I guess it was just a hiccup.
Try this...
To change these preferences, choose Apple menu>System Preferences>Accessibility, then click Audio.
Play stereo audio as mono
I agree with you, but being deaf I can't even check.
Is Balance set to the middle?
Feel free to let Apple know what the "default behavior" should be.
Thank you, but this doesn't meet the requirements I described. I don't want a temporary setting that has to be undone for proper stereo playback. I don't want my stereo files playing back mono. I want my mono files playing in mono in both channels and the stereo files to play in stereo. This should be a setting I can leave on permanently, and frankly it should be the default behavior.
Thanks. I submitted feedback to Apple. If Apple isn't montoring the forums, that's unwise, but whatever.
Why on Earth would Apple output mono audio to the left speaker only when everyone's computer speakers are a stereo pair. You get 1/2 the output volume, and the experience is worse on headphones. However, I posted here not to complain to Apple but to see if am missing a setting that could do what I'm seeking. If it doesn't exist, then it doesn't exist. Baffling...
racingheart wrote:
Thanks. I submitted feedback to Apple. If Apple isn't montoring the forums, that's unwise, but whatever.
This is a user forum. Users helping other users. Feel free to let Apple know you feel it is "unwise" using the same link.
The balance is in the middle. This is just the way the Finder plays back mono files... on the left channel only. It's not good.
I believe I just did.
Apple is not here nor do they monitor the forum. So you need to use the link.
I find your comments unhelpful.
Good work! :)
Finder to play mono audio to both channels
