Very low imput...how do I fix this

[FaerieWhings]

Hi. I'm hoping you can help me as I have very limited time. I have my old DAT tapes and am trying to record them onto CD through Audacity. If I play the tapes directly through the computer the levels are fine but when I record it through Audacity the level is so low you can barely hear it. I haven't worked with a computer recording program in nearly a decade but I've tried as many different things that I can think of which can solve the problem to no avail. Maybe a more seasoned user can help me fix this problem.

On another note, perhaps you can all help me with another problem. The engineer back then LOVED distortion. So much so that the music is too 'dirty' to listen to. I was wondering if there was a way to clean up the recording a bit, kinda shave a bit of the distortion off the music. I understand that the only way to get rid of the distortion is to get the masters and remix everything from scratch, which is impossible. But if there's a way to just clean it up a bit with this program I would be so happy.

Thanks a lot!!!

[Gale Andrews]

Hi. I'm hoping you can help me as I have very limited time. I have my old DAT tapes and am trying to record them onto CD through Audacity. If I play the tapes directly through the computer the levels are fine but when I record it through Audacity the level is so low you can barely hear it. I haven't worked with a computer recording program in nearly a decade but I've tried as many different things that I can think of which can solve the problem to no avail. Maybe a more seasoned user can help me fix this problem.

Turn the input level up on the Audacity input slider (by the microphone symbol). If that slider doesn't work, use the system mixer slider for the line-in. Right-click over the loudspeaker icon by the system clock to find it.

On another note, perhaps you can all help me with another problem. The engineer back then LOVED distortion. So much so that the music is too 'dirty' to listen to. I was wondering if there was a way to clean up the recording a bit, kinda shave a bit of the distortion off the music. I understand that the only way to get rid of the distortion is to get the masters and remix everything from scratch, which is impossible. But if there's a way to just clean it up a bit with this program I would be so happy.

I don't think there is much you can do except possibly play with Effect > Equalization to try and reduce the amplitude of frequencies where the distortion is most prevalent. If it's reverb, you might be able to find a VST deverb plug-in somwhere but there aren't many of those.



Gale

[FaerieWhings]

Thanks Gale. I tried both those ways and it didn't do anything. I'm at a loss than

[Gale Andrews]

Are you actually connecting the DAT machine to the line-in (lossy) or S/PDIF (lossless) input of the computer, and have you selected that input as Recording Device in Audacity (Devices tab of Audacity Preferences)? What version of the Windows operating system are you on? Selecting the correct input in the system mixer won't help if you are selecting some other input in Audacity.



Gale

[FaerieWhings]

It's plugged directly into the sound card. I'm using Vista. I'll have to ask my husband for more information when he comes home from work as he's the computer 'dude'

I'll open Audacity and check out the tabs to see what input has been selected.

[FaerieWhings]

Hmmmm, don't see a devices tab. I'm using Audicity 1.3 Beta. This is the correct forum for that particular program right?

[Gale Andrews]

Hmmmm, don't see a devices tab. I'm using Audicity 1.3 Beta. This is the correct forum for that particular program right?

If you get the latest 1.3.12 Beta, Devices is the top item in the list on the left side of Preferences. It isn't really a "tab" in the sense tabs are usually laid out horizontally. The name of that section has changed several times in past Betas.

Yes this is the correct forum for 1.3 Beta.



Gale