Problems with Levels

[ross23456]

This is probably a simple question, but it's eluding me. I've just upgraded to Audacity 1.3.13 (from one of the earlier PowerPC versions) on my iMac, which is now running Lion (OS 10.7). I'm using an Ion TTUSB turntable. (USB Audio Codec is selected in my Audio MIDI Setup and the Audio Devices tab in Audacity Preferences). I can record into Audacity, but the volume level slider is grayed out at 100%, so all the recording is too hot and is clipping. I'm sure there's something really simple I'm overlooking, so any help anyone can give would be appreciated. Thanks.

[waxcylinder]

The slider is greyed out as the USB device (and its associated software drivers) takes control of the sound services. If you are lucky your ION will have a hardware gain control (volume knob). When I had an ION iTTUSB it had one, but it was located in an unobvious and inconvenient location underneath the deck at the back.

WC

[ross23456]

Thanks. I had seen that noted somewhere but my Ion doesn't have it, so I can't control the output that way.

[steve]

I don't use Macs myself, but looking at a couple of similar posts, do you have any adjustment available in you Mac settings (System Preferences > Hardware > Sound)?

I've also seen several reports that some ION turntables just can't handle the high level audio on some 12" DJ vinyl.