The Fix for Single Channel Audio Using Audiobox iOne with iPad

Getting new audio equipment always makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. I listen expectantly for the delivery truck and fly down the stairs (usually still in my pajamas) to excitedly open the box of presents to myself.

But just like a race car set with a warped track, your new hardware can start to lose its magical luster if it doesn't work the way you expected. And if you're under a deadline to finish a project, that disappointment can quickly turn into acute frustration.

That's what happened to me when using the PreSonus Audiobox iOne with my iPad, while videotaping using a wireless mic as the only audio source. Some of the video clips came back with the dialogue in beautiful stereo sound, but most were Left channel audio only. Uggghhhhh.

Let me pause here to say I am not a sound engineer by trade. I'm a Host and VoiceOver actress. I've learned quite a bit over the years having my own recording studio for VO and doing self taping for shows and auditions, but I know I could still learn a lot more. So I'm like many people now who are trying to figure out how to shoot things at home, without the (ever so appreciated) help of an actual crew.

After an exhaustive search of the internet and FAQ's on the PreSonus site- and contacting their support team- I still had no answers. Finally, I decided to tackle the problem scientifically and try all conceivable variables. After about an hour, I am very happy to say I have figured it out!!! Yes!! I am Dancing Around My Living Room happy. Break Open the Champagne happy. You get the idea. So if you're having the same issue, here's what I found...

First, the setup I was using:

• Shure BLX4R wireless mic receiver with Shure lavalier and Shure headset mics
• New XLR cable from that into the Presonus Audiobox iOne
• iPad charging cord from Audiobox into the iPad gen 6 (being careful to connect when you are on the Home Screen, not already in the camera app, btw)

 In order to get stereo sound you have to do this: 

1. Film a short bit the first time just to get this working. Then stop filming. 
2. Open the clip that you just filmed. Wait for the playback button to appear.
3. THEN unplug the cable to the iPad.  Don't unplug the other end connected to the Audiobox. 
4. Plug in your earphones to the iPad and playback the clip to check it. (The very first clip you film won't be in stereo yet. You have to go through this process to make it work.) 
5. Once you've watched the clip, DON'T unplug your earphones yet!! 
6. Go to the home screen first. Then unplug the earphones. 
7. Still on the Home Screen, Plug the cable coming from the Audiobox back into the iPad. 
8. Open up the camera app, choose Video if needed and continue filming. 
9. Follow this procedure every time you want to check any clips you've filmed.  If you don't unplug the iPad or check any clips, and you simply stop and start filming, it should continue to work fine in stereo.  

I hope this helps anyone else who has been pulling their hair out trying to discover the magic combination to get stereo sound. I really hate having buyer's remorse and the Audobox iOne works beautifully when you know exactly what to do in exactly the right combination, so I am very glad I finally got this sorted!

Let me know your experience if you try this and how it works with your setup!

Now, to plan my next shoot....