loud recording volume

[plato]

Hello, I have a USB turntable to record vinyl records. I have been able to use Audacity 1.3.12 to start recording records. I can hear the record as it is being recorded, however the sound appears to be recording at too loud a volume. This is shown in the attachment when viewing clipping. I really need some help to understand what is controlling the volume. There is no volume control on the usb turntable, there does not appear to be any way to control the volume on the Audacity interface and I have tried various combinations in my sounds and settings at the control panel. I am using Windows XP.
Hoping someone might have some ideas please.
Gil

[waxcylinder]

When you connect a USB device like this Audacity normally hands control over the sound services to the USB device and hence the Audacity sliders will not be operable. If you have no gain control on the TT then you may be able to control the signal level via the Windows system mixer.

See this section from the page from the Wiki on USB TTs: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/USB_t ... ud_or_soft

and this page from the Wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer_Toolbar_Issues

BTW your screenshot is confusing me as it shows the input device to be "Microphone" and not the USB device - though the Windows screenshot does how the USB device as selected for recording
I can't see the "Audacity Device Toolbar" (the one that shows and selects the I/O devices) on your screenshot - what does it say?


WC

[plato]

Hello, Thank you for reply. I have read the sections suggested but have been unable to follow directions as the volume control is greyed out as per first attachment.
The instructions were
‘First, click on the Audio tab, and in the "Sound Recording" panel, select the correct "Default device" from the dropdown list and click "Volume":


I have included shot of Audacity preferences, and have tried the volume with no mute boxes checked but still cannot control the volume being recorded.

[waxcylinder]

... the volume control is greyed out as per first attachment.

It odesn't look greyed out to me - but I suspect that you will not be able to move the input contol off the minimum level that it is set at. If you can move it I suspect that it will just snap back to its current minimum setting (this is because as I said earlier the USB device has full control - not Audacity)

I have included shot of Audacity preferences ...

I don't see a screenshot with Audacity Preferences - only Windows settings

You are using 1.3.12 right? What version of Windows are you using (looks like some flavour of XP from your screenshots).

I note that in your screenshots the Master Volume can still be choked back a bit - does that help avoid the clipping? But if you cannot manage this through the windows control panel and if your USB TT does not have a hardware gain control to manage the signal level then you may well be stuck.

A couple of options:
1) Some USB TTs have a pair of RCA leads in addition to the USB lead in order to connect to a hi-fi or boom-box. If you have a line-in port on your PC (likely if you have a desktop - less likely with a laptop) then you can connect the RAC leads to the line-in with a sitable cable (RCA to sterero mini-jack).
2) Send it back to the shop/manufacturer (I hope you kept the receipt).

WC

[steve]

It odesn't look greyed out to me

That's what I thought at first, but we're not looking at the right picture:

audacity19thoct.JPG (35.34 KiB) Viewed 539 times

The Recording volume is greyed out.
This is normal for USB devices on Windows XP. The only way to control the input level is by adjusting the signal going into the USB device. As this is a turntable, the only way to do that would be if there was a volume control on the turntable - If your turntable does not have such a control I can only suggest that you contact the manufacturer or supplier and ask them about it. (sorry I can't be more helpful).