Can't set recording level on wasapi loopback anymore

[swsl]

Last time, (2023) I used Audacity to record a stream, I could set the input level with the level control on the recording meter. This was also coupled to my Windows sound output so that either would lower the recording level and move the other.
Fine, all made sense.
Now in 2025 I need to do the same but find that moving the the recording level slider has no effect on recording the level. Nor does changing the level on windows sound. They both move and the listening level changes, but the recording level stays the same and if it’s hot it stays hot even if I have the system level turned way down.

It’s not an update issue. I had this problem with the existing older installation and then I updated to see if that fixed it. Problem remains.

I wonder what happened. How do I get back recording level control? It’s coming in hot and clipping.

[DVDdoug]

Different people get different results and I’m pretty sure it has something to do with the version of Windows (or Windows updates) or the drivers…

Usually the complaint is the opposite… that they can’t get full volume with the playback turned-down.

but the recording level stays the same and if it’s hot it stays hot even if I have the system level turned way down.

If the stream is “too hot” and clipped, lowering the recording volume probably won’t remove the distortion anyway.

…All of the popular streaming services use loudness normalization so that everything is about the same volume and overall the volume of most tracks gets reduced so they peak below 0dB/100%

And… If there is no handy-dandy “download” button the content is usually copyrighted and if you steal it, you shouldn’t be complaining about quality!

[swsl]

OK. Thanks for the prompt answer Let’s see if I can sort out the points in your reply to make sure that I understand:

1. • People should not need to set recording levels when creating a recording on their computer from the soundcard.
2. • But if a recording level is hot then then attenuating the input to keep it from redlining is pointless because it must be already distorted. Therefore any added distortion should be unimportant and you don’t need to set levels.
3. • If you are recording off your sound card then you are “stealing” and shouldn’t be able to get good sound recording.
4. • Asking for help or input on an issue is considered complaining.

Did I get it right? Anyway, all that aside, if anybody can shed some light on why the recording volume control doesn’t affect the levels in a loopback on Windows I would appreciate it. It used to work.

[DVDdoug]

@swsl

People should not need to set recording levels when creating a recording on their computer from the soundcard.

I said different people get different results, depending on their version of Window or maybe different drivers. I don’t know why… but it’s not Audacity.

But if a recording level is hot then then attenuating the input to keep it from redlining is pointless because it must be already distorted.

Usually, yes. But if you CAN adjust the levels, or boost the bass, etc. on your computer there is the possibility of boosting into distortion.

Therefore any added distortion should be unimportant and you don’t need to set levels.

It may be “important” but adjusting the levels usually won’t fix it.

If you are recording off your sound card then you are “stealing”

Most music on the Internet is copyrighted. The artist or copyright holder gets a fraction of a penny every time you stream a song. Maybe 5 or 10 cents per song when buy the CD or when you buy the download from Amazon or iTunes. That’s paid-for by your subscription or by advertising. If you copy it, of course they get nothing when you play the copy.

I’m not the copyright police and in fact I often help people to record off the Internet.

But music piracy/copyright infringement is IP theft, the artist (or copyright holder) is being cheated, and I try not to condone or promote it. In some countries it’s not illegal but the artist (or copyright holder) is still being cheated.

and shouldn’t be able to get good sound recording.

You should be able to get whatever quality they are streaming. Most of the music on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, etc. is good quality. Most streaming services use lossy compression but it’s still good. They do use lossy compression. If you record in Audacity and re-export as MP3 or another lossy compression, that’s another generation of lossy compression and some “damage” can accumulate. If you download from YouTube, it may have already gone through multiple generations of lossy compression… You never know what people are uploading.

If you export as WAV or FLAC, or if you burn a regular audio CD there is no further degradation.

Asking for help or input on an issue is considered complaining.

No. I’m just saying you shouldn’t complain about anything you get free, especially if you steal it. You have a right to complain, but in my opinion you shouldn’t.

If you pay for something you should get what you pay for. You can buy a CD and get poor quality but in most cases you can return it for a refund.