Because there’s only an aux port, not a usb port, on the recorder, I’ve connected it to the computer’s mic jack with an auxiliary cord. However, when I try to press ‘play’ on the recorder and ‘record’ on Audacity, it only records the noise around me. Instead of hearing the memorial talk, all I have is the noise of people talking in the adjacent room. I believe this is because the computer is not recognizing the recorder as a microphone, so it uses the monitor’s microphone instead, but the only input options I have are Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input OR Microphone (Audio Device).
I called the Olympus customer support several times, but all of the people I was connected to weren’t helpful at all! They told me to connect the recorder to the computer’s mic jack with an auxiliary cord, and to hit ‘record’ on Audacity and ‘play’ on the recorder. I told them that I had tried that several times and it only recorded the background noise, but they then told me to contact Windows, since they didn’t have the knowledge needed for that kind of support.
If it helps, the talk is approx 58 minutes long, although I can’t imagine the problem being because of the file size… I’ve been able to record the talk by placing the recorder directly under the monitor, but the resulting recording comes out doubly tinny with lots of background noises.
With everything plugged-in, right-click the Windows Speaker/volume control icon, and select Recording Devices. If Windows sees the external mic connection, Audacity should see it too.
Your computer has separate mic and headphone jacks, right? (Some have a combo jack like an iPhone or tablet, and these need a special plug with an extra contact to reach the microphone contact in the computer.)
If you don’t see the external mic, right-click on whatever is showing-up and select Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
I’ve connected it to the computer’s mic jack
That should “work” but the mic input is too sensitive for a headphone signal so you may get poor quality and distortion.
If you have access to a desktop computer with a regular soundcard, try the Line-Input. Otherwise, you may need an audio interface such as the [u]Behringer UCA202[/u]. (If you get the Behringer interface, you’ll also need a [u]different cable[/u].) Don’t buy a regular “USB Soundcard”, because they are like laptops with only mic-in and headphone-out.
The ear output must go into a line-in on the computer, not a microphone input.
If there are more than one output, use the ear-pad or head-phone output, the other might just grab the internal Olympus microphone.
If you’re working with a laptop, ensure that it has a separate line-in connection or that the mic input is switcheable to line-in (in the sound control panel).
The audio will in any case be mono.
Thank you for your help, but I’m still a bit foggy on some things.
I know that the line in is the pink/blue/green jacks(ports??), but i only have an auxiliary cord that is green on both ends, as well as a cord with white/red/yellow jacks on both sides. Can I use either one to connect the recorder? Is it possible to accomplish a clear recording without purchasing more equipment?
Also, I connected the recorder by connecting the green auxiliary cord mentioned above, and plugging it into the blue port. This worked to play the recorder audio from the computer speakers. I’ve tried playing the audio while recording it on Audacity, but then I have to take care not to be too loud in whatever I’m doing around the house, otherwise the computer microphone will pick up that as well. Furthermore, the Audacity-recorded audio comes out dimmer and more static-y (sorry for improper terms)
If anyone has any further suggestions or specific tips on how to erase background noise, I’d very much appreciate it!
“Line-in” that Robert/Doug are suggesting has a specific meaning, and is almost always coloured blue.
Unlike a microphone port, a line-in port is almost always stereo, and does not apply amplification. If the AUX port on your recorder is sufficient to drive headphones or speakers, it does not require further amplification, and so connecting it to a mic port that amplifies it would usually create a distorted sound because it is amplified too much.
Some laptops have a “composite” audio input that changes to stereo line level when you connect a stereo plug, but although that does not distort, it typically does not give as high quality audio as a proper line-in port.
White/red/yellow sound like RCA connectors. They cannot be connected to a 1/8 inch audio port on a computer without an adaptor.
The plug that a 1/8 inch computer audio port would accept would look like one of these (the upper plug is stereo, the lower is mono):
You are obviously recording from the computer’s internal microphone and not the cable you tried to plug into the blue port (which should be a line level, so should not distort).
So you need to ensure the line-in is enabled in Windows Sound. Right-click over the speaker icon by the system clock, then choose “Recording Devices”. Right-click over empty space in that window, then choose “Show Disabled Devices”. Right-click again then choose “Show Disconnected Devices”. Then right-click over the Line-in and choose “Enable”. If you want to see pictures of what this looks like, see Missing features - Audacity Support .
Then restart Audacity and look in Device Toolbar . Set the third (input) box in Device Toolbar to Line-in. Then you will not record room noise.
