Audacity not seeing RCA output to USB input

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

I purchased a VTOP AV 202B analog to digital converter to move my reel to reel tapes into my Lenovo E540 laptop running Windows 10. The reel to reel deck output is running through a Sony amplifier. I attached the RCA cables to the tape output on the amp and into the RCA input on the VTOP unit. The USB end of the VTOP unit is plugged into the laptop. The Audacity settings recognize the configured VTOP unit. I selected MME, the VTOP, stereo and computer speaker for the settings. Running Audacity 3.02.

The problem is that when I hit record on Audacity it does not recognize any audio signal coming in. I know the rest of the set up is working, because when I run it directly from the reel to reel output to the VTOP, Audacity records the audio. However, as mentioned in several forum posts, that direct signal is too “hot” and distorted with no way to control the input level. That’s why I am trying to go from the amp instead, since I assume I can control the input through the amp’s volume control.

Any ideas on why the tape output through the amp isn’t working?

Should I try getting a 1/4" to 3.5 mm converter so I can try plugging into the amp headphone jack instead?

Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 20H2
Installed on ‎3/‎15/‎2021
OS build 19042.1052
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.2020.0

I think I’ve read all the forum posts related to this, but none answered this question. Thanks for any help you can offer.

2

I attached the RCA cables to the tape output on the amp and into the RCA input on the VTOP unit.

Usually tape-in and tape-out don’t work together because it would create a feedback loop (feeding the tape recorder’s playback/monitor-output back-into the recording-input).

Does the Sony have a “preamp output”? Or, is it a preamp (no speaker connections)?

If the Sony has an “Aux” or “CD” input you can use that should get a signal out of “tape out”, but the amplifiers tape-output probably isn’t attenuated.

Should I try getting a 1/4" to 3.5 mm converter so I can try plugging into the amp headphone jack instead?

Yes, the amplifier’s headphone output should work and it will give you a volume control.

For the same “hot signal” problem, I bought [u]this attenuator[/u]. (It’s just a dual potentiometer/volume control with RCA connectors.)

3

Thanks DVD Doug for the quick reply.
I do have a CD/Aux input. I moved the tape in to those jacks and now get the recorder output recognized by Audacity. So the solution solved that.

However, as you predicted, I don’t have any record level control to tamp down the hot signal.

I looked at the link you sent to the attenuator. Would the cables go directly from the reel to reel output to the attenuator and from there to the VTOP converter?

Do you think the headphone jack or the attenuator would be the preferred solution? The headphone adapter is probably cheaper.