Basic recording setup help - newbie!

[rennies_mum]

I would be really grateful if someone could help me with what is prbably a fairly stupid question! I want to record radio programmes from the relevant website onto my laptop (Vista). I have recorded a couple already just from the sound coming thru the laptop speakers. I then export to mp3 and import onto my ipod. My concern is that the audio (mainly speech) is quite "shooshy", but playback appears to improve if I turn the volume down. When I recorded from a cassette to laptop I borrowed and connected a 3.5mm male to male cable from headphone socket on very basic and old personal tape player into the line in socket on laptop, and the playback quality is as good as the original recording. So, is the difference the use of the cable, or is it something to do with the settings (my Audacity settings have not changed) depending on the source file, ie, if I use the cable connected between line in and headphones, will that sort it?

Many thanks in advance!

[waxcylinder]

Try this page from the Audacity FAQ: http://audacityteam.org/help/faq?s=reco ... =streaming

WC

[rennies_mum]

Hi WC,

I have Stereo Mix already set up in the preferences, with 2 channels and 48000Hz. I haven't changed any other default settings. I will probably buy the cable and see if that helps, unless anyone else has any other suggestions?

Thankyou for coming back to me!

Jill

[waxcylinder]

I use the cable method taht the Wiki/FAQ suggests (actually connnecting the outputs and inputs on my external souncard - but same effect) and this works fine for me.

WC

[rennies_mum]

Yep - off to Maplins tomorrow! Thankyou again