Audacity Forum

I just downloaded Audacity and started to record a number of old 45s. Worked through a few issues, but have hit one I can't seem to get around. Any help for a new user would be welcomed.

I'm using a high end turntable connected to a Pro-Ject Phono Box II USB. Audacity Playback is set to my soundcard, and recording is set to 2 channel, USB Audio CODEC. When I start to record the 45, the level meters indicate I'm clipping. So I searched help to lower the input level. Changing the record level meter on the mixer toolbar, even to 0.0 has no effect. Neither does lowering the gain control all the way to the left. I see that if I start up with the USB connected the source selector is disabled. But whether I startup connected or not, the controls for record level seem to have no effect.

Thanks for any help.

Orion

Orion,

the basic problem is that when a USB device like this is coneected it assumes control over the Audio path and signal - which is why the Audacity record level meter won't work for you.

From looking at the specs of your Pro-Ject Phono Box II USB (which appears to be both a phono pre-amp and an external soundcard) it looks as though you do not have a gain control on the box which is unfortunate. I use a TT connected to a separate pre-amp and external soundcard - and my soundcard has a gain control to manage the level of the input signal. Some of the phono preamps available also have gain controls - but some do not. Have a good look at yours to see if there is a gain control.

WC

WC,

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, the Pro-Ject does not have a gain control. It does a very respectable job as a SS phono preamp, and I could connect the analog output as a line level input to another preamp, but then I've lost the USB conversion. I'll look for an external soundcard with gain control just for vinyl recording. Thanks for the help, much appreciated. Saved me a lot of frustration and many hours trying to get it working!

Orion

The external USB souncard that I use, that has the gain control, is the Edirol UA-1EX. I have got some very good results with this soundcard.

WC