Muffled/low recording for a NEWBIE

[kozikowski]

It is frustrating that many audacity tutorials use much cheaper and basic mikes with no problems

That's too inclusive. You have an inexpensive but far from basic microphone. You have a celebrity which is what's causing all the troubles. If you had a basic microphone, we would have been done days ago.

It's good to know that Audacity gets its sound from Windows, not the device or microphone, and it doesn't make changes during recording. If you have Audacity's "microphone" slider all the way up...

Screen Shot 2017-07-15 at 13.54.16.png (8.29 KiB) Viewed 626 times

...and the volume is still very much too low, then it's between you, the microphone and Windows. The Windows control panels have a place where you can see a bouncing green sound meter for your device.

Adjust your system until that sound meter is high enough. Once you get a good healthy 2/3 to 3/4 of the meter filled when you speak, then open Audacity for recording.

Koz

[Dawacs]

You guys are awesome (and patient). I'll try you recommendations and get back to you.

Dawacs

[Dawacs]

Trebor, your input fixed my problem!!!!!!!

I went into windows properties and boosted the mike level. VIOLA!!!!!

Appreciate this forum and all the help. Hopefully, this exchange will help others too.

Now, got to get to work on my soundtracks.

Dawacs

[swagle]

Hello. I am having a similar problem. I am using windows 10, a Tascam US-1641 interface and a AKG Perception 200 microphone. I am a newbie, I made my first recording and everything was fine, actually after the recording I noticed that I was clipping and it was distorted.I went through a couple of tips to lower the volume on the recorded audio but it did not work. The next time I used the program I could not get the volume up. The phantom power buttons are selected on the Tascam. As of today it is the same, with all volume knobs set at 10 the monitor shows about -50 and the volume level is very low. Thanks

[swagle]

I am using 2.2.2. These are the latest steps I have taken. I have removed and reinstalled Audacity. I have changed microphones to a Rode NT1, and exchanged my XLR cord for a new one, I went to the the microphone settings in Windows 10 , maxed out the volume and used the mic boost option and set it to 3/4 boost. It is much closer, probably 3/4 volume now. I do not like the quality of the vocals but it is able to be heard. Still puzzled on what has happened, it worked perfectly before.

[steve]

If you turn up the recording level on the Tascam US-1641 and speak loudly into the mic, you should see the "clipping" indicators light up (on the Tascam). Does that happen?

[swagle]

Yes, when it starts to clip the green light comes on while I am speaking

[kozikowski]

We need a few English words here. The little lights turn green during normal volume. If you get too loud, the lights will flash red.

Gain indicators will light green when a signal at a certain level
(–30dBFS) or higher is present. However, if the signal level
exceeds –2dBFS, the indicators will light red.


The test we're doing is to make sure you can ever get too loud, even if you try. It's good to know what the performance limits are.

Can you ever get red lights? If you need to scream at the top of your voice, that's a problem because it may mean the system will never get loud enough for good quality recording.

That may also be why the Tascam US-1641 is discontinued.

Koz

[swagle]

The only light I see is colored green and it is only when I am talking very loud. I will try another interface. Thanks for the help