Audacity Forum

As soon as click "record" I get a high volume of noise before the tape kicks in. I've tried getting the tape ready & recording as close as possible, but I still get the noise. It always lasts just into the beginning of the tape so I can't successfully cut it out. Perhaps its noise from the cable itself or the line in? I'm using line in & headphone ports.

<<<It always lasts just into the beginning of the tape>>>

Can I suggest a couple of clarifications? No matter where or how you start the actual tape, the performance or show gets messed up.

<<<I'm using line in & headphone ports.>>>

Probably not if you're using a Windows Laptop. Are you? More than likely you have Mic-In and Headphone-Out, all the better to connect your Skype headset. You may be feeding a powerful, stereo, line-level signal into a connector expecting a tiny, delicate, mono microphone signal. Unfortunately, they use the same type of plug. The noise you're hearing is the computer trying to cope with massive overload.

What are the symbols or words next to each connector?

Many Windows laptop users decide to use one of the external USB Soundcards we reviewed.

http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9477

Koz

To clarify...
Yes, the noise appears wherever I begin the tape. As soon as I click "record", it starts.
I AM using headphone output on the stereo and Line IN on my sound card. (I have tried using the Mic input but its worse)
I'm using a desktop PC.

Perhaps its my sound card inputs? Its great for output. I've tried the stereo & cable on another PC, using Microsoft Plus! (a nice program!!) & it works fine.

In that case, it's possible your Windows is trying to help you with auto level setting or one of the other sound tools. If you run through your Windows Control Panels, are there any settings for Automatic Volume, Automatic Gain Control or anything like that?

Does it still do that if you reduce the volume back at the amplifier before the computer input? Once you get the sound inside the computer, you can apply all sorts of tools to change the volume, but good quality capture is key.

After you get everything connected but before you go into record, play the material and click once anywhere inside the Audacity red recording meters. They will wake up and meter the sound without actually going into record. Is your sound snugging up to the right-hand edge -- to zero? That's probably too loud and may cause problems.

I'm assuming your sound card is in good shape, but nobody is throwing awards at most PC sound cards for quality.

Has this ever worked? Oh, before I forget. You can try a brief recording using Windows Sound Recorder instead of Audacity. Does it work there?

Windows Sound Recorder
-- Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment

Koz