new mixer bought trying to record

[jamie23]

hi guys

im new to the forum and need some assistance

im using audacity 1.2.6 and am trying to record a mix from my cdjs, i have an external soundcard hooked up, its set up on the card into line in and send and return in the mixer

but i just cant set the preferences on the programme, i have recorded on it before thats why i feel so stupid asking how to set it up again. i recorded a mix with my mate but could hear everyone speaking in the background and didnt sound right at all

any help would be great

cheers

[waxcylinder]

jamie,

see this article in the Wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/USB_turntables

It is primarily about USB TTs - but most of the information is relevant to external souncards too.

BTW: please don't double post - apart from the fact that it is considered bad netiquette on any forum, it doesn't get your question answered any quicker and it annoys the forum elves who give up their free time to answer these queries.
I have removed the duplicate post for you.

WC

[jamie23]

apologies

many thanks

[jamie23]

hi again

i had a look at the information and set the preferences, so i recorded an hour mix but the play back sounds awful, i can hear background noise, i think the speaker configuration on my laptop could be the problem.

the soundcard should be into send/return in the mixer and connected to input/line in on the card?

sorry if its a silly question or if it has been asked before

cheers

[Irish]

Can you give us details (model numbers) of the mixer and sound card you are using, so we can help find where the problem might be?

In the meantime, some possibilities;
Are you sure you plugged in and powered up the sound card before starting Audacity? If you don't, then Audacity won't recognise it, and it may be recording from the mic on your laptop.

Then, have you checked that the USB device is selected as the default recording device in Audacity preferences?

Is there a mic anywhere in your CDJ setup?

PO'L

[jamie23]

hi

thanks for the reply

im using a behringer djx 750 and a citronic external soundcard. theres no mic in my set up, as you stated it sounds like its recording from the mic on the laptop. yea i always set up the soundcard before running audacity

[Irish]

the soundcard should be into send/return in the mixer and connected to input/line in on the card?

The send/return jacks on the mixer are intended for use with the effects channel, so I would use the Booth Output to connect to the sound card.

Connect the Booth Output on the mixer to the Input on the sound card, set the Line/Phono switch on the sound card to Line, and use the Booth Level control on the mixer to control the signal level going to Audacity.

What operating system have you on the computer? If it is Windows 7, you need to upgrade to Audacity 1.3.11, and that may help with your problem, but I would recommend upgrading in any case. 1.3 is easier to use in many ways than 1.2. You can have both 1.2 and 1.3 installed, but you can only run one of them at a time. Projects saved in 1.3 will not open in 1.2.
You can download 1.3.11 from http://audacityteam.org/download/

If you still hear background noise in the recording, you are recording from the microphone and not the sound card.

You do get "USB Audio Codec", or something similar, as an option for the input device in Audacity preferences, when the sound card is plugged in?
If not, you may have a faulty sound card or a bad USB connection. Make sure the sound card is connected directly to the computer, not through a USB hub.

PO'L

[jamie23]

hi
yea i get the option of usb audio codec, and its vista that im using but i think i will upgrade anyhow

ok man ill try it when i get home from work, appreciate the help

many thanks

[jamie23]

The send/return jacks on the mixer are intended for use with the effects channel, so I would use the Booth Output to connect to the sound card.

Connect the Booth Output on the mixer to the Input on the sound card, set the Line/Phono switch on the sound card to Line, and use the Booth Level control on the mixer to control the signal level going to Audacity.

im a bit confused sorry, ive 1 phono lead which i use to connect the soundcard to the mixer, is another lead required to connect from the booth to the card?

sorry if this is a daft question

[steve]

The send/return jacks on the mixer are intended for use with the effects channel, so I would use the Booth Output to connect to the sound card.

Why not use the "Tape" output? (see page 6 of the mixer user manual).