I am recording an analog signal from my stereo, the song starts off in full fidelity then about ten seconds in there is a visible drop in the on-screen measure of the recording levels, if I stop recording and start over it happens again at the same point. When I listen the fidelity on playback follows the same pattern -the song sounds normal then changes to fuzzy and weak. The original source of the song itself remains strong and consistent throughout, in other words there is no audio losses in the original source material.
I am running Windows 7, audacity 2.0.2 and using an RCA cable right and left channel from my receiver into a single line in microphone 3.5 Jack on my soundcard. My soundcard is a Conexant HD audio card.
The last time I set up to record a few months ago, I was successfully able to record using the same set up. This time suddenly the fidelity fallout happened. I tried every combination of input settings (both MME and Windows direct sound) and recording device (stereo mix, rear microphone, Microsoft sound mapper). None of these combinations made any difference in this linear drop off/distortion.
There is no point choosing stereo mix and different inputs. The only input to select is the one you are connected to.
Have you also looked in Conexant’s own control panel and turned effects off there?
Is the colour of this microphone input pink or blue? Is it really meant for connecting a HiFi stereo line level cable?
Did it record in stereo before when it did not fade out?
You need a blue input or if you don’t have one, do you have a way to change the mic input to line level? Look in your computer manual.
The other reason you can get this problem is if your machine has inappropriate sound device drivers. These sort of problems can be random. Read this page for how to check if you have correct sound device drivers that are matched to your sound device: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Updating_Sound_Device_Drivers .
There is no point choosing stereo mix and different inputs. The only input to select is the one you are connected to.
Shrilurk: Understood and hopefully you can tell me which one to use.
Have you also looked in Conexant’s own control panel and turned effects off there?
Shrilurk: Pretty sure - I have looked at all sound and recording sections available there are no active effects.
Is the colour of this microphone input pink or blue? Is it really meant for connecting a HiFi stereo line level cable?
Shrilurk: I have tried the pink (microphone) and blue (Line in) rear jacks.
Did it record in stereo before when it did not fade out?
Shrilurk:Yes.
You need a blue input or if you don’t have one, do you have a way to change the mic input to line level? Look in your computer manual.
Shrilurk: I have a blue line in. Is this what I should focus on using?
The other reason you can get this problem is if your machine has inappropriate sound device drivers. These sort of problems can be random. Read this page for how to check if you have correct sound device drivers that are matched to your sound device:
Shrilurk: Called Dell earlier today and they updated the drivers for the sound card, although the old drivers worked fine in Feb. I haven’t tried the new drivers but will try them.
I noticed you have Audacity 2.0.2, but 2.0.3 has some new audio code that was meant for detecting Windows Vista and later. In most cases that new code is better, so I suggest you uninstall 2.0.2 and install 2.0.3 from http://audacityteam.org/download/windows .
If you have a separate blue port then that is the one you want to use.
It kind of depends how well-behaved your sound device is. MME is older but it is more compatible. I would try MME first.
None of them, unless that “Rear Microphone” means the blue Line-In which I doubt.
Right-click over the speaker icon by the system clock, then choose “Recording Devices”. Right-click in empty space and choose “Show Disconnected Devices” then right-click again and choose “Show Disabled Devices”. Assuming “Line-In” now appears, right-click over it and choose “Enable”.
If Audacity is still running, Transport > Rescan Audio Devices, otherwise launch Audacity.
Use the blue for any powered or amplified input, like a powered condenser or stereo mic, or output from an amplifier.
I’m marking this as [SOLVED] assuming your update means that having shown and enabled "Rear Line In " in Windows “Sound”, you can now choose that input in Audacity Device Toolbar.
If you choose Exclusive Mode for the built-in sound device with Windows DirectSound host in Audacity you should probably set the Audacity project rate to 44100 Hz or 48000 Hz as those rates may be easier for a limited built-in device to handle.
If you turn off Exclusive Mode with Windows Direct Sound you should make sure the sample rate in Windows “Default Format” matches with the Audacity project rate (44100 or 48000 Hz may still be safer choices). You may possibly get better results with a 16-bit Default Format.
It is usually better to tick both Exclusive Mode boxes in Windows if you want to use Windows DirectSound host in Audacity.
But again, if the sound device or its drivers are playing up, you could get the “fading” issue whatever host you choose in Audacity.
I don’t know the answer on “are the drivers Dell installed made by Conexant or Dell” question. I’ll find out, but assume we are looking for the answer to be Conexant?
By the way, after reading your advice here, I tried the Exclusive Mode | Windows DirectSound approach and while better still not as solid as MME.
How about this approach - for converting analog to digital sound - could you lay out the optimum configuration so hardware |devices drivers |software are not playing up …?
I would be willing to entertain this recommendation (if the cost isn’t 1,000’s of dollars). This would also need to be simple enough to configure without advanced technical skills. While I am looking for excellent quality, this is not a professional undertaking.
Once again, my appreciation for your assistance - Shrilurk.
Probably, but drivers by Dell or by the motherboard maker would also be reasonable (as long as the Dell drivers are not some kind of generic driver that they offer when there are problems).
Microsoft drivers by definition won’t be matched to your hardware, so if Device Manager says the Conexant device has Microsoft drivers and you are having built-in audio problems, you definitely want to try changing drivers.
Whoever makes the drivers, if you have 64-bit Windows 7 then those drivers must be 64-bit. You can always go to the Dell site and try looking yourself for drivers that are meant for Windows 7 and your explicit computer model: http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/19/DriversHome/ShowProductSelector .
Dell may already have done all this for you - but you cannot always trust large computer makers’ technical support representatives, as stories on this Forum testify.
What exactly are you recording that is being sent from the receiver to the computer - is it a radio receiver or is it a guitar amplifier, or what? If a microphone or electric guitar is involved there are lots of considerations especially as to reducing noise in the recording chain.
Basically what is optimum depends partly on your ears and partly on the existing hardware and drivers you have now. Built-in sound cards are not HiFi recording devices whatever “HighDef” or other name is applied to them.
Most users will be able to get improved sound by adding a USB sound card or USB audio interface for $50 - $100, but you should be sure that your Conexant device has the best matched drivers you can get before writing it off as a failure.
Hi Gale, apologies for not closing the loop on this in such a long time. Suffice it to say, all recording problems have been resolved. Further Audacity is an important part of my musical life now. Thanks to everyone for making that possible. Shrilurk
