Input level problems too high??!!

[danny79]

Hello,

I have used audacity previously but I am experiencing difficulties with new lap top. Using vista and aucacity 1.2.6. I am trying to recording from my vinyl collection through my turntables (technics) and mixer (BEHRINGER VMX 300) intp my laptop. As soon as I click on monitor input in audacity (without the jack plugged into the laptop) the red input bars are nearing O. When I put a record on the bars are both full red. When I try to record this the sound quality is v.poor lots of clipping. I have tried to turn down levels on mixer and amp but this does little to improve the quality of the sound - and the output sound from speakers in my living room is v.low and impossible to mix with

I have set my preferences to play back: high definition audio and recording: line in high definition audio .

Any help would be greatly appreciated - I have enjoyed using audacity before and want to use it again!! sorry if this has been dealt with on previous topics.

cheers

danny

[whomper]

did you plug the line out from the mixer to the mike in on the laptop?

[danny79]

Nah, I am defo plugged into the line in and not the mic in.

[kozikowski]

<<<Nah, I am defo plugged into the line in and not the mic in.>>>

We'll have to take your word on that, but most [Windows] laptops do not have High-Level, Stereo Line-In. They're designed to work with the tiny mono microphone signal from a communications headset.

Since you have sound and distortion even before you plug anything in, then your machine is either recording the built-in microphone, or itself -- feedback.

Go into Audacity Preferences and de-select "Play Tracks while recording New Ones, Hardware Playthrough, and Software Playthrough. Close the panel and Restart Audacity.

Now go into Windows Control Panels and make sure Line-In is the only thing selected. Literally nothing else. No Mix-Out, no What-U-Hear, no Built-In Mic, no nothing.

Windows Control Panel
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel


Close the panel. Does Audacity still act crazy even before you plug anything in? Press record. You should get a straight line and no bouncing sound meters.

Koz

[danny79]

Thanks Koz you have solved my problem!!! I needed to disable the microphone in the control panel.

Thanks very much - much appreciated.

danny