Problems recording - volume too low

[yester64]

Hello everyone,

i have a problem on Windows 10 to record albums from my turntable. The problem seems to be the volume. There is just not enough coming in.
The line-in is at 100% and if i slide the slider to a little lower, say 80%, no sound is coming in anymore.

Now i tried different things.
One was the drivers that came with the motherboard. I have an older (now) Gigabyte GA-Z279MX-Gaming5 that has Realtek drivers and integrated Soundblaster.

The sound is always good.

I thought that Windows maybe intentionally reduces the volume but could not find anything in the settings.

Now i use a Pre-Amp that is called LKG PRE600 RIAA Turntable Phono PreAmp. Its not an expensive Pre-Amp but seems to work. That is hooked up to a Yamaha SR201 receiver. I use the 3 Line for the turntable and have cables going from the receiver to the computer line-in.
The cables are new and not broken.
I think that there is not enough volume going to the computer but over the receiver it is fine.

On Linux i have also problems, but its different as everything get recorded to quick for some reason.

Anyhow, i am not sure what it could be but maybe someone else has an idea that i overlooked. Is the Pre-Amp?

Also, i do run the latest version of Audacity which is 2.4.2 i believe.

Thank you so much

[DVDdoug]

cables going from the receiver to the computer line-in.

What? What receiver connection?

Try the preamp directly into the soundcard. It's working with the receiver so I think it's OK.

You can monitor from your computer speakers or connect line-out from the soundcard to a line-input (Aux, CD, etc.) on the receiver. Or, you can use a pair of Y-splitters* to connect the preamp output to the soundcard & receiver at the same time.

Or, if your receiver has "tape-out" or "record-out" that should work, connected to line-in on your soundcard.

If the receiver has "line out" or "preamp-out", those are probably volume-controlled. That's no-good because you'll probably have to crank the volume up to earsplitting levels (to get a good recording level) and then if you touch the volume control during recording you mess-up the recording.




* It's OK to connect two (or more inputs together, but you should NEVER "short" two outputs together.

[yester64]

First of all, thank you for answering.

I always thought, something like this is easy.
But it seems more complicated that i wish for.

Anyway, to be more precise. I have RCA cables going from the TT to the Pre-Amp and out of the Pre-Amp into the receiver. My receiver has 3 lines but one of of them has a record output. So this one lines has an input and an output. Their example is a CD-Recorder.
I put the output from the Pre-Amp and fed it into this line and have another cable going out via Y-cable to the computer line-In.

What concerns me mostly is, that it seems to be a volume issue as i do get sound.
Cranking up the volume did not yield any change.

I think i am at the point where i consider just buying a a USB converter just to avoid this problem entirely.
The cables are all connect the way they supposed to be.

[DVDdoug]

One more easy thing to check - Make sure you've selected line-in as your Recording Device.

Did you try the preamp directly into the soundcard, without the receiver? We know the preamp is working but the soundcard might not be working.

You can test the soundcard by connecting something else... A CD player or your TV, etc.

and fed it into this line and have another cable going out via Y-cable to the computer line-In.

Sorry, I'm still not sure how it's connected. Is that out of the receiver? Line line-out/recording-out from the receiver might not be working.

I was suggesting two RCA Y-splitters (left & right) so the preamp goes to the receiver AND the soundcard at the same time. That way the receiver isn't involved in the recording at all. Then, you'd need another adapter/cable with RCA connectors on one end, and a 3.5mm plug on the other for your soundcard.

I think i am at the point where i consider just buying a a USB converter just to avoid this problem entirely.

The Behringer UFO202 is inexpensive and it has a built-in phono preamp. The ART USB Phono Plus also has a phono preamp and it also has recording volume controls. Or, there are lots of higher-end USB interfaces with switchable mic/line inputs. You usually find those audio interfaces at places that sell musical instruments and recording equipment, Don't buy a regular "USB soundcard" because they only have mic-in and headphone-out.

[yester64]

Did you try the preamp directly into the soundcard, without the receiver? We know the preamp is working but the soundcard might not be working.

You can test the soundcard by connecting something else... A CD player or your TV, etc.

Uh. Thats what i fear. For playback everything is fine but line-in not so much.

and fed it into this line and have another cable going out via Y-cable to the computer line-In.

Sorry, I'm still not sure how it's connected. Is that out of the receiver? Line line-out/recording-out from the receiver might not be working.

I was suggesting two RCA Y-splitters (left & right) so the preamp goes to the receiver AND the soundcard at the same time. That way the receiver isn't involved in the recording at all. Then, you'd need another adapter/cable with RCA connectors on one end, and a 3.5mm plug on the other for your soundcard.

Ah, yes. I think i am going through the receive. I will try that as well. Just to be sure.

I think i am at the point where i consider just buying a a USB converter just to avoid this problem entirely.

The Behringer UFO202 is inexpensive and it has a built-in phono preamp. The ART USB Phono Plus also has a phono preamp and it also has recording volume controls. Or, there are lots of higher-end USB interfaces with switchable mic/line inputs. You usually find those audio interfaces at places that sell musical instruments and recording equipment, Don't buy a regular "USB soundcard" because they only have mic-in and headphone-out.

I actually tend to go with the ART. I read about it good things. Originally, i thought of buying the Schiit but that does not have outputs for recording that i could feet to the computer. So the ART seems the better choice. More versatile.

Thanks for the input. I really felt lost. But i think with a seperat device it should be easier to work with. At least i hope. And on the bright side, i can retire my cheap phone pre-amp that i currently have.

[steve]

I actually tend to go with the ART. I read about it good things.

I've used a different model of USB interface from ART. The sound quality was reasonably good, comparable with other interfaces in the same price range. The build quality was very good - very solid in a strong metal box. ART have a generally good reputation for build quality.

[yester64]

Hello again,

i now obtained the ART Phono Plus which i got from a music store in my neighborhood. And now Audacity works again.
Though i wished the line-in would have worked but this way, i am have more control.
I am happy now.

Thanks again for all the help.