Overdubbing = huge sound increase

[typh23]

So I am overdubbing

I record my first track for like 20 sec only blue waves were normal
then when i came to use record again using second track I saw those blue waves at large

any reason why?

I use REALtek HD output, have the latest drivers, WINDOWS XP 1024MB RAM

pls help

you can see the picture below....I just record the first track....then press record 2nd track....
When I recorded on the second there were no other things left recorded....I just press record....and that thing happens....A HUGE mess at once....

[steve]

In Audacity:
Check that "Software Playthrough" is off (bottom of the "Transport" menu).

In the RealTek mixer application:
Check that your recording source is set to microphone or line in (depending on which you are using) and not set to "Stereo Mix".
The RealTek Mixer application can usually be found as a brown loudspeaker icon near the Time/Date on your Desktop.
For RealTek the recording source is usually set by muting the inputs that you are not using - "Stereo Mix" should be muted.

[typh23]

In Audacity:
Check that "Software Playthrough" is off (bottom of the "Transport" menu).

In the RealTek mixer application:
Check that your recording source is set to microphone or line in (depending on which you are using) and not set to "Stereo Mix".
The RealTek Mixer application can usually be found as a brown loudspeaker icon near the Time/Date on your Desktop.
For RealTek the recording source is usually set by muting the inputs that you are not using - "Stereo Mix" should be muted.

My software playthough is off

"Check that your recording source is set to microphone or line in (depending on which you are using) and not set to "Stereo Mix".
The RealTek Mixer application can usually be found as a brown loudspeaker icon near the Time/Date on your Desktop.
For RealTek the recording source is usually set by muting the inputs that you are not using - "Stereo Mix" should be muted."

I can't find if it's set to stereo mix

[typh23]

In this picture below

I just press record......there were NO SOUNDS INTERFERING in this record....just pressing record

As you could see....the first blue wave is just a straight line....meaning silence no sound.....as I press record and record and record....it increases and increases....from the 3rd to the 4th was the huge difference....

I am only overdubbing here...that thing is the only checked mark....

pls HELP ME!

[steve]

Do you have an icon like this:

Click, or perhaps double click or right click, on that icon and open the RealTek mixer. It should look something like this:

What are you wanting to record from - a microphone?

Can you post a screen-shot of your RealTek mixer?

[typh23]

I am using a line-in

[steve]

At the bottom (in the "Record" section) click on each of the loudspeaker icons except for the one below the "Line Volume" slider. That should mute the unused inputs (indicated by a red "X" across the icon).

[typh23]

At the bottom (in the "Record" section) click on each of the loudspeaker icons except for the one below the "Line Volume" slider. That should mute the unused inputs (indicated by a red "X" across the icon).

Hmmm....I tried that...ok I get it

but it doesn't solve me problem

When I on stereo mix and just play record record and record

Should the volume really increase that HUGE?!

[steve]

When I on stereo mix and just play record record and record
Should the volume really increase that HUGE?!

With the settings shown in the screen shot that you posted, you have playback volume for everything set to maximum. You also have all inputs enabled for recording and the recording level set at maximum. With these settings:
When you record the first track, it will record from all inputs at maximum volume and each input will contribute a little bit of noise.
When you record the second track, not only will you get a little bit of noise from each input, but the noise recorded on track one will also be played and recorded at maximum volume.
When you record track 3, you get all the input noise, plus the amplified (max volume) noise from track 1, plus the noise from track 2 which has now been amplified twice.
thus a rapid build up of noise is to be expected from those settings, especially as the noise level of on-board sound cards is usually fairly poor anyway.