One more test. What noise is recorded when the iMic is connected to the computer but the piano is not connected to the iMic?
– Bill
That’s a vast improvement, though as you mention there is a little bit of “clipping” (overload on the loudest bits). It’s about what I would expect with the equipment that you are using.
The noise level from the keyboard should be roughly constant irrespective of the volume level up to about 90% volume (there may be an increase in noise in the last 10%) so the optimum output level for the keyboard will be with the volume set pretty high (probably around 80-90%, though some keyboards give the cleanest sound right up at full volume). Unfortunately high volume on the keyboard is overloading the iMic so you are having to use the keyboard at less than optimum. In addition there will be noise from the iMic - Bill’s last test is looking at this and should give a rough idea of the iMic “self noise” though pre-amps will usually produce more noise with nothing plugged in than they do with something plugged in. A higher quality USB sound card with input “gain” controls should give a cleaner recording.
It may be worth trying with piano turned up to 90% and the imic turned down very low. If the piano is overloading the iMic input then it may distort no matter how low you turn down the iMic, but it’s worth trying.
In which case your a candidate for one of the USB soundcards that we know play nicely with Audacity - see this sticky thread: Sound Card Reviews
There are others available - but as Koz says the Griffin is one of the worst (I put it on my original shortlist - but rejected it after reading user reviews on t’interweb).
WC
Media files weren’t allowed at all. You can now attach a WAV, OGG or MP3 up to 1 MB to a post.
Gale
Ah… that’s it. It’s the iMic = Same noise. Looks like another sound card would be necessary. It’s unfortunate that I can’t afford to get a better one. I guess I’ll just do my recording with what I have. It’s not perfect, but in my opinion, it’s close to perfect.
I appreciate all your help with all of this! Thanks a lot.
I use a Behringer UCA-202. It’s line level only (but that’s what you want) and the noise level with no input signal is around -90dB which is as good as you get with a 16bit sound card.
Current price is around £23 GBP / $25 US
The great thing about noise in audio data files is that it can be only observed as a issue if it surpasses the threshold of hearing. In the event the amount of noise in an audio documenting could be very minute that hardly nobody can understand, you don’t should fear about seeking to remove it; however, if you want to, you are able to.
Noise that surpasses the threshold of hearing might not be noticed like a difficulty if it truly is masked by a fabric that may be louder. As an example, you would possibly come across clicks, pops and hisses distracting in the recording of the classical piano piece; having said that, they may not make any difference inside documenting of your heavy metallic song.