Audacity Forum

Ok, I am new, and not at ALL a techie!
I am using the beta version.
When I play the record, it sounds like there is nothing but bass.
I have tried reading through some of the help sections, but truthfully, it is wayyyyyyy above my head.
I am not looking to record anything special, just import a few albums from my turntable to my MPs
I am running windows 7 on a new laptop. If there is anyone willing to help a tool (thats me!) out,Id really appreciate it.

Rob

robgbrown wrote:
When I play the record, it sounds like there is nothing but bass.

does your preamp have RIAA equalization ?
if not all you will get is bass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization
there is an almost straight line eq
from bass at +20 db to high end at -20 db
the correct RIAA eq should be built in your LP playing equipment.
if not you need to do it yourself.
audacity 1.3 claims this:
"New Equalization preset "Inverse RIAA", with new button to invert other curves"
that might fix your problem without a new preamp

if you can play the record and listen to it and it sounds right
then you need to record that final signal output as that would be okay.

How do you have your turntable connected to your computer? Audio cable adapters? Can you get the model number of your turntable? ION-something something?

Koz

I have my turntable plugged into my computer via USB.

When I listen to it, it sounds like nothing but bass. It even seems to pick up 'movements' in the house (kids walking up stairs)
I guess what I am sorta looking for is an equalizer of sorts to adjust the quality of the sound.
I have to be honest, most of the original suggestions are too techie for me. I admit it, I am not as computer savvy as I should be. I was sorta hoping that this whole process would have been a little more user (loser) friendly.

whomper
How do i find a preamp. Not sure where to start looking

You are almost certainly trying to record your computer's built-in microphone instead of the turntable.

I'm searching for a tutorial on this. I'm not a Windows Weenie, so I can't help you very much. You need to go into Windows Control Panels and select the turntable for recording. That's when I get fuzzy.

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

Koz

wouldnt using the mike in cause distortion not change the eq?
why/how would the mike input skew the sound to bass?

robgbrown wrote: I guess what I am sorta looking for is an equalizer of sorts to adjust the quality of the sound....

v 1.3 of audacity has such a filter i am told.
try that before buying a preamp. see if that really is the problem.
but if you can fix it well enough with audacity then skip the preamp.

you can get a preamp most anywhere. it may be built into an amplifier or receiver or similar device. but be sure it has the RIAA adjsutments.

But before you spend any money tell us ALL about your system and EXACTLY what you are doing. we need details - make models options/settings etc.

Hey guys
First of all, a GIANT thank you for your effort so far. I am really appreciative, and impressed.
As far as system, here is what I have
I am running a 4gb ram HP laptop, with windows 7.
I am using the audacity 1.2 for importing the LP, but am then openning it in the 1.3 beta version to transfer it to MP3
Id like to run just the 1.3 version, but I am unable to figure out how to listen to the track / run the track while recording in 1.3.
I am using a audio-technica turntable (AT-LP60-USB)
It has RCA cables, but I am only plugging in the USB...wouldnt know where to plug the RCA's in...I am assuming that they are for a home stereo (I told you I was a tool)

Is that what you are looking for. I can provide more info, but not sure what else to tell you.

What would the point pf a pre-amp be?
I am looking for the info on the pre amp on windows in a moment,

Thanks again guys!!

Rob

robgbrown wrote:Is that what you are looking for

Yes thank you. Just give me a moment while I type a reply.

robgbrown wrote:What would the point pf a pre-amp be?

Don't worry about that - it's not relevant to your set-up because you are using a USB turntable.