weird clipping issue

[zfishman]

I have done some recent recording and for some reason I can only get the wave to reach 0.5 and -0.5. What would cause something like that? I've checked all the settings I could but can't locate anything. Please help

wave.jpg (34.84 KiB) Viewed 549 times

[kozikowski]

That's what happens when you try to connect a stereo high-level show into the Mic-In of your Windows laptop. The connection overloads immediately and there isn't much you can do about it. Some laptops give you a separate Stereo Line-In connection and some allow you to switch one connection between Line-In and Mic-In.

Most don't.

For those we usually recommend the UCA-202 or equivalent.

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx
http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/UCA202.jpg

Koz

[zfishman]

hi! thanks for the reply however, i have a windows desktop and i was using the mic-in. it's just a simple connection from a tape player to the line-in.

[kozikowski]

it's just a simple connection from a tape player to the line-in.

Nothing about a Windows machine is simple.

i have a windows desktop and i was using the mic-in.

Can I assume a typo? "i was not using the mic-in..."

You need to go into the Windows control panels and see if you can set sound levels there. Sometimes the Audacity controls don't connect right and you need to set levels in both places.

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

We all have puzzled looks because this is the exact symptom of using the wrong connection. Did you actually use the instructions or look at the card with a flashlight in your teeth? We have one famous sound card where the blue connection was not the Stereo Line-In.....

Koz