Buzzing noise while trying to record from Vinyl

[westcountrywarlord]

Hi

Hope you can help. I am trying to record some old vinyl records from my stereo. When I plug the lead from my amp or mixer into my computer's mic input I get a bad, high-pitched buzzing sound which is on the recording. I cannot seem to get rid of it. When I borrowed my friends computer it doesn't happen. Could it be something to do with my sound card? he has a Realtek 268 while mine is a Realtek 262. Any ideas?

[kozikowski]

Does his card have a Stereo, High-Level connection to match the Stereo High-Level signal from your amplifier? Low-Level, Mono, Microphone connections on your laptop won't do it. It's also possible he had a mono, microphone connection, too, and it was just more robust than yours was.

You can add a good quality, stereo, Line-In with a USB adapter such as the UCA202 we reviewed here...

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

Koz

[westcountrywarlord]

It's not on the actual recording. It's the noise made from connecting the amp to the computer. Happen as soon as I connect them but if I swap over to my mates computer, it doesn't happen. It's nothing to do with the acual recording.

[whomper]

are all the electrical connections properly grounded ?
to the same outlet ?

is the connector on your pc 100% clean and making good contact?

but the real problem is this:
<< "I plug the lead from my amp or mixer into my computer's mic input I get a bad, high-pitched buzzing sound >>
you do realize you cant take the output from your amp and put it into a microphone output without big problems dont you ?????

solution:
dont do that.
put the amp out into a high level line input

[kozikowski]

<<<It's nothing to do with the acual recording.>>>

I didn't say it did. I said, in brief, you can't plug your amplifier into your computer. You can't do that to most Windows laptops. The plugs may look the same, but they're electrically very different and will cause distortion.

Your friend may have a laptop with a stereo music connection -- they do exist, and that will sound just fine.

Your laptop and Audacity aren't broken. Your laptop is designed to plug in a microphone and use Skype. That's not a music connection.

So your choices are use your friend's computer or go the USB route.

Koz

[westcountrywarlord]

Thanks for your help guys.