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Occasionally, I find Youtube videos that have only one audio channel (only left or only right); example video (left channel only).

This is quite annoying, especially with headphones on, as I hear sound in one ear, and no sound in the other.

So, I want to be able to easily force dual mono (Left+Left or Right+Right) when I find that kind of video, and switch to normal stereo after I finish watching it.

  • I have my headphones plugged well / I don't create audio/video - I want it for real-time playback only,
  • In Windows audio config, setting balance 100% to Left / Right doesn't help (I have either still only left when moved to left, and no sound at all when moved to right), I've checked all the configurations in Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices > Audio > Sound Playback > Advanced like suggested in this post, in conjunction with moving balance left/right, and it doesn't seem to have any impact on actual sound I hear in headphones,
  • No need to mix L with R, I just want L+L or R+R,
  • I prefer software solutions to buying a stereo-to-mono adapter,
  • Free solutions please, no $$$ ones, neither trials etc.,
  • In Control Panel > Realtek HD Sound Effect Manager I can turn on various mumbo-jumbo effects like: Concert Hall / Hangar / Bathroom / whatever environment (and in fact it makes the sound appear in two ears, but well, it's ridiculous to do this;), but there is no Dual Mono option.

  • Finally, I know I can force L+L or R+R in VLC Player which supports Youtube (well, a little hack is needed, because Youtube internals change from time to time) but it is not very convenient to launch VLC just to play Youtube video - I want to keep it in the browser, I use Firefox generally (but well, if I don't find easier way, I will launch it in VLC).

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Does it make a difference when you set the speaker setup to "Laptop mono speakers" in this screen: worldwide.bose.com/productsupport/assets/images/articles/… (Control Panel -> Sounds and Audio Devices)? – Stefan Seidel May 6 at 8:14
@StefanSeidel no change. – jakub.g May 6 at 20:07

4 Answers

Here are two free applications whose documentation says can override channel configuration:

PulseAudio and its Windows binaries
Virtual Audio Cable

I can't help you with the exact details of how to set this up.

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Thanks for the links. So far I've tried with PulseAudio, there's some FAQ that could be a good start, however it either is outdated or Linux specific (no such module bundled with Windows binaries). – jakub.g May 6 at 20:09
Both are available for Windows. I have added above the link for PulseAudio. – harrymc May 7 at 6:25
I meant that module-alsa-sink is not present in Windows binaries. – jakub.g May 7 at 7:27
module-alsa-sink is after all defined as "playback sink for devices supported by the Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA)". – harrymc May 7 at 8:19

I have a solution for you but this is a paid software

This software might will be a sure fix: http://www.fxsound.com/dfx/index.php

I've used the software for a year now and has made my audio experience with my headphones waaaaaaaaay better. I'd say it's worth the 30$. Don't use this on games though, there's a configurable delay on the sound but the minimum delay you can get is 10ms and you might get clicking issues with that delay.

I just tested the video you are referring to without and with DFX and it do apply the sound in both channels.

Just turn 3D surround on and the sound will play on both left and right

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A 2 dollar jack splitter solved this problem for me. http://www.xxion.co.uk/images/uploads/Jack_Splitter_Gold.jpg

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I have one, still no change for me (maybe I have a wrong type, don't know). – jakub.g May 8 at 10:02

I just accidentally found a lame and hacky but working way to solve the issue - plug the headphones halfway, instead of fully, to the port :)

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