Sound microphone input distorts recording horribly!!!

[mixer101]

I have been following all the steps listed in the forum and on the audacity website to get audacity to work properly for my USB turntable for WIndows 7. I had no problems on my old laptop which was Windows XP. The USB automatically links the codec to a recording device by choice not of my own. I am getting sound when I set audacity's recording drop down input as microphone (usb audio codec), but its distorted whether the input volume is 100 percent or 50 percent. I am lost for options, I hope I can get this to work for my computer, if not I will be really disappointed. Somebody please help me!

[whomper]

probably win7 hidden settings
but read the tutorial on usb TTs first

[steve]

With Windows 7 you should be using Audacity 1.3.12
If you're using Audacity 1.2.6 you can get the recommended 1.3.12 version from here: http://audacityteam.org/download/beta_windows
If you've just posted in the wrong part of the forum, let me know and I'll move the topic to the correct place.

I am getting sound when I set audacity's recording drop down input as microphone (usb audio codec), but its distorted whether the input volume is 100 percent or 50 percent.

This is a common problem on Windows 7
There are 2 issues - it may be one or the other or a combination of the two.

Some USB turntables have a volume control - sometimes located inconveniently on the underside of the turntable. If your turntable has such a control, try turning it down.

The second issue is that Windows 7 frequently needs the recording level turning down really low in the Windows "Control Panel".
Connect the turntable to the computer and reboot the computer, then, when the computer is full booted up, follow these steps:
1) Open Control Panel (from the START menu)
2) Open the Sound control.
3) Go to Recording tab, look for USB input.
4) Right click and select Properties on the USB recording input.
5) Select the Levels tab
6) Set the level slide to a low level (try about 10%)
7) Select the Advanced tab, set the Default Format setting to 2-channel, 16 bit 44100 Hz (CD Quality)

You can find more information about USB turntables here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/USB_t ... ud_or_soft
and more details about using the Windows Control Panel here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel