So it turns out that my computer speakers, which uses a number of analog jumper cables from the output to the amp built into the subwoofer, gracefully handles receiving a mono signal by playing it on both speakers. Handy trick if you listen to a lot of mono material. But for I don’t know how long I didn’t realize my stereo jumper wasn’t fully seated so that only the left channel was getting through.
And I spent a long time a few nights ago trying to figure out why I couldn’t hear the guitar solo during The Pixies’ “Hey”. I’m just that stupid. Today I was trying some pan effects that weren’t working, which led me under the desk to discover the problem.
Now I’m back from the purgatory of false mono and firmly back on terra stereo. That’s a really good guitar solo, Joey Santiago. Glad I can hear it now.