Audacity Forum

Gale Andrews wrote:Is there anywhere you can toggle the external input between microphone and line-in? Perhaps in Sound in the System Preferences?
Gale

Macs of that era had a "Microphone" input that was in reality a line-level input. The only microphone that worked with that input was Apple's microphone with the built-in amplifier.
-- Bill

Thanks so much for all the great info folks (and for informing me as to what type of Mac I actually own!) So .... I feel we're getting there. The 'Mic' 1/8" input socket is in essence then a stereo 'Line In' socket right? OK. What about that 'Mic' icon slider in Audacity, is it standard practice right to have this set all the wat to the left at zero (as shown in my screenshot)?? And, since this DV iMac is apparently good for audio (albeit only 16 bit), as I'm working with tape recordings the bit resolution thing shouldn't matter so much yes? Am I 'good to go' then'? I can just bring in my analogue recordings from my portastudio (using the portastudio's dedicated stereo RCA line outs) and, with nothing more than a standard 'old skool' Stereo RCA>1/8" lead, I can convert my analogue stuff & make digital recordings that would be good enough in quality to send away for mastering? I don't need a special audio interface running between the portastudio and the computer no? If this be the case you've saved me some shekels this end! Let me know for sure. Thanks again for ALL your help here - much appreciated!

I am concerned that the Audacity Input Slider needs to be set to minimum in order to avoid overloading the recording. However, if you listen back to the recording (using good headphones plugged into the headset output of the iMac, or good, amplified external speakers) and it sounds clean (not distorted), then I'd say you're good to go.

-- Bill

billw58 wrote:I am concerned that the Audacity Input Slider needs to be set to minimum in order to avoid overloading the recording. However, if you listen back to the recording (using good headphones plugged into the headset output of the iMac, or good, amplified external speakers) and it sounds clean (not distorted), then I'd say you're good to go.

-- Bill

Yes, that's what's concerning me Bill plus the fact that, taking a signal from the dedicated stereo line outs of my portastudio (which is recommended in the portastudio user manual for mixing down to an external deck and which I would rather do than going out via the headphones output), with having the Audacity input control slider at '0' I just don't appear to have any control over the line in levels. This doesn't seem right somehow. Anyone else experienced this scenario and come up with a solution. PS: It's not just my portastudio either. I tried another two tape machines units (again via stereo 'line out' sockets - no dedicated headphone socket) and the same thing.

cyrano wrote:Have you ever tried the third possibility in Audacity's input list "sound input"?

That could be the line input, I think. But frankly, I don't remember clearly, as it's a long time ago...

Did you try this?

billw58 wrote:

Gale Andrews wrote:Is there anywhere you can toggle the external input between microphone and line-in? Perhaps in Sound in the System Preferences?
Gale

Macs of that era had a "Microphone" input that was in reality a line-level input. The only microphone that worked with that input was Apple's microphone with the built-in amplifier.
-- Bill

Thanks for dropping in, Bill. That makes sense now. I found an official Apple Manual for this Mac and even that shed no light on it.

Gale

7track wrote:

billw58 wrote:I am concerned that the Audacity Input Slider needs to be set to minimum in order to avoid overloading the recording. However, if you listen back to the recording (using good headphones plugged into the headset output of the iMac, or good, amplified external speakers) and it sounds clean (not distorted), then I'd say you're good to go.

-- Bill

Yes, that's what's concerning me Bill plus the fact that, taking a signal from the dedicated stereo line outs of my portastudio (which is recommended in the portastudio user manual for mixing down to an external deck and which I would rather do than going out via the headphones output), with having the Audacity input control slider at '0' I just don't appear to have any control over the line in levels.

In your picture of Audio MIDI Setup the "External Mic/Line In" levels were turned up quite high. Have you looked there or in Sound in System Preferences to see if the Audacity input slider is actually controlling those sliders? It should do, but might not on an antique machine.


Gale

Gale Andrews wrote: In your picture of Audio MIDI Setup the "External Mic/Line In" levels were turned up quite high. Have you looked there or in Sound in System Preferences to see if the Audacity input slider is actually controlling those sliders? It should do, but might not on an antique machine.


Gale

I shall go check that now Gale. THANKS!

Anybody else notice the posted track seems to be mono? Almost perfectly matching sound meters and identical blue waves?

I would intentionally throw off the stereo balance on the mixer and see if the Mac follows you. There has to be a Pan pot somewhere.

Better than even chance the Mac won't. I bet you're watching two copies of Left and the Right is discarded.

Koz

billw58 wrote:Macs of that era had a "Microphone" input that was in reality a line-level input. The only microphone that worked with that input was Apple's microphone with the built-in amplifier.
-- Bill

Would that be mono or stereo Bill? Was it really "line level" (-10 dBV / +4 dBU), or "somewhat higher than a normal dynamic mic"?