Just bought a new Lenovo Desktop Computer 510A-15ICB. It used Windows 10 as you’d expect.
I am also using Audacity version 2.3.3
I’ve adjusted the SOUNDS feature several different ways, but when I go to say youtube, and click on a song by some artists…
and then go to Audacity and hit the PAUSE and RECORD buttons, so i can set a level…the level comes up, but it’s relatively low.
I try to adjust it…and it gets a little higher, but if I go too high, it starts to distort and feedback with the playback volume.
I’ve tried every setting, and I can’t get a good volume. On my other computer with Windows 7, the volume was always very “hot”
and I always had t set it lower. And it was never a problem. On this Windows 10, it just seems to be blocking the whole thing off.
Here’s how I have it set as I was instructed to do in several Audacity Setup Videos, I viewed after I first downloaded it to this new computer.
Windows WASAPI
Stereo Mix (Realtek (R) Audio)
2 (Stereo) Recording Channel
Speakers (Realtek (R) Audio) <<<<<<<<this is the only setting available here
I’ve also attached a snipe of my Preference Devices under Edit, showing the first page.
Am I missing something? I’ve been trying to get this to work right for the last 5-7 days. Making me crazy!!
Appreciate any suggestions anyone can offer. Thanks, DamnGreek
I’ve adjusted the SOUNDS feature several different ways,
Some different computers have different “driver features” in addition to the Windows “enhancements”.
If you use WASAPI loopback none of that will have any effect, nor will the recording & playback volume controls.
But, you can always amplify after recording.
when I go to say youtube, and click on a song by some artists…
Most online streaming services use volume matching which will reduce the volume of most recordings. That’s the only way to volume-match because there are plenty of quiet-sounding songs that are normalized/maximized for 0dB peaks, and these can’t be boosted without clipping.
But, of course you can re-amplify/normalize after recording.
Yes…I know I can Amplify it…but it just never comes out sounding as good as when you record something at a good level.
With digital amplification/attenuation, there’s no difference if you adjust before or after recording. Except if you over-boost and clip (distort) before or during recording there is no going back.
And with WASAPI you are directly capturing the (decompressed) audio stream.
And (within reason) digital amplification is audibly perfect.
…In the old days of analog tape you needed a “hot” signal to overcome tape noise, but with digital - no tape noise! With digital, pros often record at -12 to -18dB, leaving plenty of headroom for unexpected peaks. (Unexpected peaks aren’t really a problem for streaming audio since it’s already been digitized.)
I’ve been told some of the drivers for the sounds might be substandard or even that this computer’s sound card is garbage.
The drivers & hardware aren’t involved with WASAPI loopback. The soundcard has analog connections, an analog-to-digital converters and a digital-to-analog converter, which you’re not using to record/capture streaming audio.
If you are recording Stereo Mix, the “driver utilities” (equalization, surround effects, etc.) and similar Windows audio enhancements may alter the sound in a “good” or “bad” way.
Here’s my speaker setting…with the properties opened.
You’ll see that there is no “Speakers Enhancement” tab available.
If you see something else that I might consider? Let me know.
I’m wondering if the sample rate (as shown) should be adjusted?
(I would think not, if this is the default computer setting)
I did try to record a lower volume, and them Amplify. It worked OK…but I
just didn’t find the quality to be as good as expected from what was said above.
The digital format still seemed to have some issues when amplified.
Nonetheless, I’ll keep trying.
if I go too high, it starts to distort and > feedback with the playback volume.
Maybe everybody missed that from the first post. I wonder if you’re not recording a digital signal, but an analog signal from the machines speaker system. That’s just a routing error.
Playback Tabs > Levels Exactly what they look like when I open the file:
Recording tab> Advanced (Again exactly what they look like when I open)
and the Recording Tab > Levels (Exactly as …)
I’ve also done what kozikowski suggested, and it took away the distortion and feedback…and I could
get a MUCH BETTER level on the recording albeit it’s still a bit low and not as HOT. But still, it’s MUCH BETTER!!
I thank you kozikowski for your suggestion. It was something that crossed my mind, but I hadn’t look to make the adjustment.
Still with my three SNIPES above…if there are anymore suggestions, I would be grateful to hear them.
I’m truly grateful for the help. I’m not a computer Geek, but I try to figure out things, so I learn.
Happy Holidays to everyone as well. Best, DamnGreek
