INPUT VOLUME...SOUND CARD??

[Peterjimmy]

Good morning....i have just purchased a Lenovo (IBM) K300 desktop.....and when i use Audacity i can no longer control the input volume as i could before on a Dell with XP HOME.....i am running Windows 7 Home Premium (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)
I have seen on your page somewhere that this might be a sound card problem ...
I am using Audacity® Version 1,3,13,0

"If you are unable to move the sliders, or if the sliders always "jump back" to the same value no matter where you put them, don't panic: some sound cards do not have level controls, and some of them have controls that are not compatible with Audacity. To adjust your sound card levels, you will need to use other system software or perhaps a special control panel that came with your sound card."

The sound card in my system is# ALC662 (and part of the motherboard i am assured).
So, i guess the question is what sound card will enable me to control my input levels please?
Both input and output levels are set at -24 right now....on my old Dell they were -18 if memory serves.
Also, i use a Labtech $10.00 mic...which has been amazing up until this point....just plugged right into the tower....
Thanks for any help in this regard. J

[Gale Andrews]

It would have been better if you could have continued your original topic:
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 16&t=57884

than start a new one.

You can right-click over the loudspeaker icon where the clock is > Recording Devices. That takes you to the "Recording" tab of "Sound" in the Windows Control Panel. Right-click over the microphone input for the built-in sound device you are plugged into then look on the "Levels" tab for a volume slider. Also look there and possibly on an "Advanced" or "Custom" tab for a "Boost" or "AGC" control to boost the mic level. See:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... es#vistacp

Then click Transport > Rescan Audio Devices in Audacity and make sure in Device Toolbar that you are selecting the correct input.

Audacity "should" be able to control the Windows slider directly for most built-in devices. If it does not it is possible the sound device only has generic drivers made by Microsoft. In that case, update the drivers of the sound device so that it has the latest drivers specific to Windows 7 and your particular computer model, as supplied by the device or motherboard manufacturer. The drivers need to be 64-bit. See: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php? ... ce_Drivers



Gale

[Peterjimmy]

Thank you so much Gale, that was the problem.....working great now!
Apologies for not continuing my first thread, won't happen again!
While i am here, do you have any good mic recommendations that work well with Audacity, specifically?
My Labtech is great for what it is but i think i am due an upgrade!
Thanks again for all the help.
J

[steve]

There's a few reviews in this section of the forum: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewforum.php?f=27