Audacity Forum

Hey,

We just installed 1.26 in my husband's new laptop, which has Vista (we've had no problems with it running on our XP systems). When we record the track shows the default -1.0 to 1.0 range; we normally try to keep the recordings at a maximum of .5 to .7. He is able to record; however, what he records gets flattened (there are no peaks) like there is an invisible ceiling set to the recording setting. For example, if the recording input volume is set to .5, .5 becomes the maximum sound allowed. Everything is "flattened into the range of -.5 to .5. Move the input volume to .3 it's limited to between -.3 and .3, etc. I've attached a copy of a screenshot, just in case.

We've read through the Wiki Vista page and followed its instruction. He has a built-in microphone, but is using a plug-in microphone (which we use with the other computers); I don't know if that makes any difference.

What could cause this to happen? (Note: Screen shot was taken when recording input volume was set to .2)

<<<my husband's new laptop>>>

...that doesn't have a Line-In connection, only Mic-In. This usually happens when you apply a Line or High Level audio signal to a connection that's expecting microphone, or very low level sound. Many new laptops have Mic-In only. This works well when you use Skype and services like that. The microphone goes right into the laptop with no adapters.

Consult your instructions. Some laptops have the ability to switch one connection between the two services, high and low. Some don't.

Microphone connections frequently have a sensitive amplifier at the beginning that you can't turn down. The volume control is later. So first the amplifier distorts the audio and then you turn it down which gives you the small, but clipped waveform. The amplifier is fine, you are feeding too high a signal.

Koz

One way you can work around this is to buy an external USB or firewire soundcard.

WC