High Recording Volume

[richardlpalmer]

First of all, my name is Richard and I'm happy to be part of this forum. I've been using Audacity to create backing tracks from multi-track recordings for some time but just recently found out how I can use it to record and edit as well. I've also used it to simply play along with tracks created. The person that taught me how to record recommended this forum for further help/learning. So here I am!

Here's the situation. I have a track opened in Audacity that I want to play. Concurrently, I want to record along with it. What I'm running into is a situation whereby the volume of the imported track is just fine. But when I record along with it, the volume is way high and the newly recorded track clips like crazy! If I try to just record without the track (for instance, if I just played the backing track in WMP, then it records just fine.

I'm running an XLR cable from my Hughes & Kettner TubeMeister amplifier to my Mbox Mini Input 1. From here it goes via USB to my computer. I have this device listed as my input (and output for listening through monitors) in Audacity.

Sadly, the computer in my music room does not have screen capture software -- nor is it plugged into the interwebs to get my favorite flavor. Therefore, these actual photos will have to suffice. If you need further detail please let me know.

[steve]

The person that taught me how to record recommended this forum for further help/learning. So here I am!

That's nice. We'll do our best to help.

the volume of the imported track is just fine. But when I record along with it, the volume is way high and the newly recorded track clips like crazy! If I try to just record without the track (for instance, if I just played the backing track in WMP, then it records just fine.

Unless you have already Normalized or Amplified that first track it looks like that has been recorded a bit too hot also. A good recording level to aim for is to get the highest peaks at about half of the track height (around -6 dB). You can always amplify them later if necessary.

I'm glad you posted some pictures as they have ruled out some possibilities of what the problem could be. On the downside, it looks quite puzzling. Could you try a little experiment and see what happens.
1) Record a short track with the recording level set to about -6 dB.
2) Play it back and check that it sounds OK (it will be a little quieter than you are used to).
3) With the track selected (highlighted) press Ctrl+L (the audio will be replace with silence).
4) Record a second track. Do you still have the high recording level problem?

the computer in my music room does not have screen capture software.... Therefore, these actual photos will have to suffice.

I wondered what the interesting texture on the pictures was.
If you are using Audacity 1.3.13 (you should be - if not, update) there is a screen capture tool in the Help menu. http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Help_Menu#tools

[richardlpalmer]

Unless you have already Normalized or Amplified that first track it looks like that has been recorded a bit too hot also. A good recording level to aim for is to get the highest peaks at about half of the track height (around -6 dB). You can always amplify them later if necessary.

I've done nothing with the track (this is how I received it from another) but I agree about it looking a bit hot. I might try this again with some other tracks.

I'm glad you posted some pictures as they have ruled out some possibilities of what the problem could be. On the downside, it looks quite puzzling. Could you try a little experiment and see what happens.
1) Record a short track with the recording level set to about -6 dB.
2) Play it back and check that it sounds OK (it will be a little quieter than you are used to).
3) With the track selected (highlighted) press Ctrl+L (the audio will be replace with silence).
4) Record a second track. Do you still have the high recording level problem?

Not quite sure I'm following you on this. Are you suggesting I record a track in an otherwise blank session, but instead of the Gain being set at "0 dB", set it at "-6 dB"?

Assume my level of knowledge with Audacity is low but my level of general software tools is relatively high.

I wondered what the interesting texture on the pictures was.
If you are using Audacity 1.3.13 (you should be - if not, update) there is a screen capture tool in the Help menu. http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Help_Menu#tools

I am using 1.3.13 but couldn't find where that tool was located. The link explained what it was but not where to find it...

[richardlpalmer]

Okay, I found the Screenshot Tools... in the Help menu. Working on things now.

[richardlpalmer]

Alright, how about an update on things. First of all, I started with a track that wasn't as hot. But as you can see, right from the start my recording is totally pegged.



I then moved the Gain slider in the recording track down. This made no difference (that I could see anyway).



I then tried lowering the mic input Gain. I don't know why the screen capture dialog box made it into the picture, but you can see the result of this on the recording just as it goes behind the dialog box. Worthy of note is how hot the Input Monitor is while I was playing.



I lowered the Mic Input again, just to test and you can see the effect -- it basically just lowers the level, but it's still clipping.



And here's a clear shot of things again, but with the Mic Input dimed again. This shows the Input Meter as well.



Oddly enough, I tried recording a track without an existing track in place. Things have clearly changed since I first tried this a few days ago (when I was originally successful). As you can see, now when I attempt to record things are way too loud. What this means is my assumption & assertion that things were fine when not simultaneously playing and recording a track was not true.



I also now have the situation of my amp always coming through my monitors -- so I basically have to turn my audio interface down completely if I don't want to hear my guitar coming through the monitors (with a bit of a delay I might add) all the time. This of course needs to also be resolved, because it's near impossible to play along with the music while having a distorted version of it coming out of the speakers a 1/2 second later.

I'm wondering if my Recording and/or Playback Preferences are to blame. Of if somehow I altered the System level parameters for recording/playback on my computer. Another thing that's odd is adjusting the Gain control on my audio interface makes no difference to the level coming in -- ordinarily if were to lower that control to zero on a mic, it would cease making a recordable input. What do you think? I tried to get screen captures of my Preferences but that utility doesn't work while another dialog box is open.

[steve]

It looks like either:
The gain setting on the MBox is too high
or
You're using Vista or Win 7 and Windows is amplifying the input before it gets to Audacity.

If it's the first, then all you need to do is turn down the gain on the MBox.
If it's the latter, see this post: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 53#p161709

[richardlpalmer]

It looks like either:
The gain setting on the MBox is too high
or
You're using Vista or Win 7 and Windows is amplifying the input before it gets to Audacity.

If it's the first, then all you need to do is turn down the gain on the MBox.
If it's the latter, see this post: http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 53#p161709

The MBox gain is turned down completely -- to my way of thinking, there should be no signal getting to the PC.

I am running Win7 so will check out the link and report back with what I come up with. Thanks for that!

[richardlpalmer]

Okay, so I opened up Recording devices > Right-click device > Properties > Levels and adjusted the slider down. All this seemed to do was adjust the Input volume slider down in Audacity. Adjusting either one only changed the other one. Sadly, no joy for me...

Any other ideas?

[kozikowski]

You can get unexplained volume changes and management by trying to record through the Windows Conference Services.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/FAQ: ... hancements

One of the services offered by newer computers is auto volume control -- sometimes whether you want it or not.

Koz

[richardlpalmer]

I've been banging my head against a wall on this whole thing big time. I've gone through various settings and don't think anything has changed anything.

I did try one thing with the amp -- turning it down. This seemed to immediately solve the problem (although it's still a bit fuzzy sounding -- nothing unbearable though). The problem is, with a tube amplifier the amount of power being pushed through it will determine the quality of sound -- which I want. Turning it down makes it sound poor. The one caveat is that by using the Red Box feature, it's an emulated speaker. This means it's possible that no matter what my volume is doing, it will sound the same -- the only difference being the input volume.

It's late tonight and I can't stay up much later. I'll try again tomorrow and see if this is really the solution I've been looking for...