All sound recorded with static :(

[Celice]

I've been wanting to upload some videos to YouTube that I make with a program like Fraps or CamStudio. But I've noticed that all of my sound is messed up, so I eventually booted up Audacity and lo-and-behold, the sound there is also riddled with static. I've tried looking for answers, but the problem seems too broad for the likes of Google to properly answer. So I ask here: why, in CamStudio, Audacity, and what seems any recording software is my sound coming out slightly garbled? Here's a video I took of some music for your ears to listen to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2LPLNXWhxA

I've a realtek soundcard or whatever in my system, should that matter. Any pointers? The sound recorded is also real loud, louder than it is when it's being played.

[steve]

That's what we call "distortion" or "clipping". It happens when the recording level is set too high.

What are you recording from, a microphone? (probably not, but you will be able to tell us exactly how you are recording).

[Celice]

I don't really know, actually. I've tried both recording from stereo output and mic and each, both recording sound, both recording the artifacts. After setting the realtek audio manager's output to a lower level (almost non-existent), the recording sound normal, but they're still tons louder than anything I recorded. Are there any ways to "muffle" recordings, or a way to figure out why sound is apparently being played at a far higher range than what the speakers are actually delivering?


That's how low it was set when the distortions ceased. This forces my speakers to be set at a much higher level in order to hear sound at all. Which doesn't help the other half, because even if the sound can be recorded at a lower level, it's still louder than what my speakers send out ._.

[steve]

What are you actually recording from? Where's the sound that you are recording coming from? Are you recording from a cassette player / a microphone / sounds from your web browser...?

The problem is to do with the "Record" level rather than the Playback" level. We need to see the lower half of the realtek audio manager. Could you post a screenshot of the whole realtek audio manager interface.

[Celice]

There's the entire interface. I'm trying to record audio playing through programs and games on my computer.

EDIT: I tried setting the recording volume lower and it helped enough to be standable. Thanks for the help for this easy, yet overlooked, problem of mine ^_^

[waxcylinder]

Celice,

In the bottom left hand coirner of the Realtek dialog box you posted there is a big round knob - you have it set all the way round to the right i.e. maxed out at "11" like Spinal Tap - this is why you are getting clipping. Try turning it down a bit - click and drag on it with your cursor.

WC