Record Levels - Macbook and Audacity setup

[mrlister]

Im sure this has been asked few times but I cant seem to find the answer easily.. so hopefully someone can help..

I am using
1210's/Vestex Mixer (basic)
Macbook(Line input)
serato scratch live

I have been playing around with audacity and the Macbook input levels/Audio line-in port to achieve the best possible recording level and then saved the final mix to aiff and allowed itunes to convert mp3.

My mixes always sound a little tinny, I know the macbook line-in is a little crap for good audio quality but I'm a little unsure on how best to set every thing in the list above to achieve the best possible levels.

On the Mixer I keep the volume levels slightly below red. The Input volume on the Macbook is at 75% (Line in Audio Line-in port).

And the audacity has been left at the default setup (bit of a newbie here, not sure if there's anything here to setup).

Once the recording has been done in audacity (no clipping has taken place) is there a good plugin of filter to boost the levels? Has anyone any tips in audacity to improve the overall sound once recorded?

Should I look to invest in a budget sound external card

Sorry for long post, but I'm about to do a lot more mixes and would like the best possible recorded level.

thanks

lister

[kozikowski]

<<<I know the macbook line-in is a little crap for good audio quality>>>

News to me. I use my Mac Line-In on an Intel Mini, PowerBook, and MacBook Pro to capture voice and effects performances for the Hollywood movie industry. Now, on Windows machines, yes. Most of them are terrible.

I need to drop out for a while...

Koz

[kozikowski]

Step us through the connections. You have two mixers listed in there. The web sites require digging for six weeks to find any technical information, so it's up to you. I'm particularly interested in the connection between the last mixer and the Mac. Something like one of these?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=3452165

How are you listening to the recorded show? " I know it's tinny because..."

Play this short track on your Mac and make sure the fourth segment sounds funny -- not the third.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/LRMonoPhaset4.wav

Koz