Line out to microphone on an 8510W

[wildbill001]

I have an HP 8510W. It has a line-out and a stereo mic in. No line-in. I would like to try recording from the line-out directly into the mic. I know enough about audio to know I need something to cut the signal so the mic input can handle it. But I don't know what it is called.

This is just an experiment so I'd rather not spend a bunch of money if the end result is pretty lousy.

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[wildbill001]

Fogot to mention I'm running XP. The soundcard/device is a SoundMAX integrated HD Audio card.

Bill

[steve]

I know enough about audio to know I need something to cut the signal so the mic input can handle it. But I don't know what it is called.

I'd call it an "attenuator".

Is this because your computer has no "Stereo Mix" option?

There was a discussion about home made attenuators recently http://audacityteam.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5080 This was for a slightly different purpose, but the same circuit would work as long as you have all the appropriate plugs.

If the "Mic input" really is a stereo input, then it may be a combined mic/line input - I've never seen a computer with a stereo microphone input, microphone only inputs are always mono. If it is stereo, then you probably do not need an attenuator, but do take care to keep the volume level down from the headphone socket, and avoid feedback loops.

[wildbill001]

Audacity shows "stereo mix" but when I try that, all I get is static/noise.

Looks like I'll have to go find my soldering-iron and a few parts.

Bill

[wildbill001]

Well, not exactly sure how I did it, but I got the "stereo mix" to work. I can play sounds and capture them with Audacity now. The only gotcha is that "stereo mix" isn't !?

According to the vue-meters, I'm getting mono. The track says "mono". However, when I play back, it shows both left/right channel levels.

Guess I'll keep pushing buttons and see what happens.

Bill

[steve]

Have a look in "Edit > Preferences > Audio I/O" and check that Audacity is set to record "Channels: 2 (stereo)"

[wildbill001]

Well, yee haw!

That did the trick. THANKS!

Bill