Volume recording and playback with a guitar, onto my HP laptop (Microsoft), using M-Audio interface. Result is very low volume input and output. I believe I have all the settings correct.
MME,
Recording Speaker (Realtex(R) Audio
Playback Microsoft Sound Mapper-Input
Mono
Any suggestions?
You should be recording from the M-Audio interface. 
for playback (and monitoring) you select either your regular soundcard/speakers or the USB audio interface. I believe the M-Audio has a “direct” monitoring option so you can hear the guitar without going through the computer, so without the associated latency (delay) of monitoring through the computer.
Thank you for your reply.
I record through M-Audio and I can see the recording in Audacity. So that is ok.
However, Audacity is picking it up not at full volume. Don’t know why, my controls (I believe) are set correctly in both the interface and Audacity.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
he[quote=“DVDdoug, post:2, topic:143411, full:true”]
You should be recording from the M-Audio interface.
for playback (and monitoring) you select either your regular soundcard/speakers or the USB audio interface. I believe the M-Audio has a “direct” monitoring option so you can hear the guitar without going through the computer, so without the associated latency (delay) of monitoring through the computer.
[/quote]
How low is the volume? You can check the peak level by running the Amplify effect. Amplify will default to whatever change is needed to for “maximized” 0dB peaks. So, if it defaults to +3dB, your peaks are currently -3dB, etc. (If you just want to check you can cancel the effect).
Also note that your recording won’t sound as “loud” as a commercial recording without compression/limiting or unless you are recording from an overdriven-“saturated” guitar amp.
One thing that MIGHT be happening if you can’t get over -6dB (50%)…
If you record in mono with a stereo (2-input) interface the signals are cut in half so you don’t go over 0dB when both channels are combined.
If you only use one input, the maximum you can get is -6dB. The meters-indicators are correct and if they show 0dB and clipping, you the ADC is getting clipped and you need to turn it down. The lower level recorded in Audacity isn’t a problem and you can run the Amplify effect after recording.
If you record in stereo you can get the full signal but then you’ll have one silent channel that you’ll have to delete it to make a true-mono file that plays out of both speakers (or otherwise deal with it).
Also. my recording choices are:
Microsoft Sound Mapper Input
Line (USB Audio CodeC)
Microphone Array (Intel) Smart
The one that says “USB” would be your USB interface.
I don’t know how Windows decides to use as Sound Mapper but there’s a chance that’s also the USB device.