I cannot record? What am i doing wrong?

[Gale Andrews]

Did you try "Amplifying" the flat line?

yes, it did nothing.

Select the part you amplified and try Effect > Amplify again. What does it say in the box for "New Peak Amplitude"?

I agree that if you do not see the Line-in meter in "Sound" bouncing it suggests at best the input is far too low. So try it on XP.
Is the line-in really dead on both computers?


Gale

[ShuriiX]

I meant connecting audio out (green) of the computer to line-in of the computer.

I meant can you shows us screenshots of the input and output device dropdowns in Audacity's Device Toolbar .

The Windows Control Panel for audio is called "Sound" in Windows 7 and "Sounds and Audio Devices" in Windows XP.

If you amplify the flat line it will let us know if you are recording absolute silence or low level noise, or a low level signal of what you intend.


Gale

Here is the dropdown list, along with the amplified line to save time, it makes nothing but a hissing sound, with or without it plugged into the computer output.

Also, what is the best setup for recording with line in?

like i said, i currently have a 1/4 amp chord going into a 1/8 adapter and into line in, but i've seen it done with a double sided 1/8 jack and then a 1/4 adapter added to it and plugged into the amp, pretty much an exact opposite to my method, do you think it would make a difference?

[ShuriiX]

Okay guys, i've made a small amount of progress, i attempted to use the audacity recommended for windows XP, and overtop of a LOT of background sound, like i stated above, i could hear the guitar playing a small amount, only just, how would i go about getting the background noise gone?

Would it help if i sent a sound sample?

Edit: Going to do it anyway to help save time.

Edit #2: Tried again, it also works on the 1.3 Beta, but has the same result; lots of static/hissing.

[ShuriiX]

Anyone still here?

[steve]

The good news is that Audacity is working because it's recording something.
The bad news is that audio that it is receiving is garbage.

i attempted to use the audacity recommended for windows XP,

The recommended version for both XP and Win 7 is Audacity 1.3.13 Unicode.

So let's recap:
You have your guitar plugged into your guitar amp - it works.
You have a 1/4" mono jack/jack lead connected to the "Record Out" of your amp?
Does the "Record Out" of your amp work? Are you able to test it?

The other end of the 1/4" mono jack/jack lead goes into a 1/4" to 1/8" mono adaptor?
You have tested the lead and it's OK.
Are you able to test the adaptor?

The adaptor is plugged into the Line In socket of a desktop computer?
Audacity records a very low level guitar signal with a high proportion of noise with this set up (as per your last sample)?
The same happens on two different computers?

[kozikowski]

You can test the system by pulling the cable out of the guitar system and touching the tip of the 1/4" plug, similar to this..

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/touch.jpg

The other hand should be holding the plastic or rubber parts of the cable.

That should drive Audacity nuts if it's recording when you do this. If you get no reaction at all, then the problem is from that cable toward the computer. That may only work on one sound channel.

We are intentionally creating buzz and hum in order to test the system.

Anyone still here?

The forum elves are sprinkled all over earth and it has to be daylight in the same region that the elf lives who knows the answer. Most forums have a response time measured in weeks.

Koz

[ShuriiX]

The good news is that Audacity is working because it's recording something.
The bad news is that audio that it is receiving is garbage.

i attempted to use the audacity recommended for windows XP,

The recommended version for both XP and Win 7 is Audacity 1.3.13 Unicode.

So let's recap:
You have your guitar plugged into your guitar amp - it works.
You have a 1/4" mono jack/jack lead connected to the "Record Out" of your amp?
Does the "Record Out" of your amp work? Are you able to test it?

The other end of the 1/4" mono jack/jack lead goes into a 1/4" to 1/8" mono adaptor?
You have tested the lead and it's OK.
Are you able to test the adaptor?

The adaptor is plugged into the Line In socket of a desktop computer?
Audacity records a very low level guitar signal with a high proportion of noise with this set up (as per your last sample)?
The same happens on two different computers?

Yes, this is exactly what it is.

Is there any known way of improving the input of line in?

I think the rubbish sound input is only there because my amp has to be up maxed out in order to hear anything overtop of the background buzz.

[ShuriiX]

You can test the system by pulling the cable out of the guitar system and touching the tip of the 1/4" plug, similar to this..

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/pix/touch.jpg

The other hand should be holding the plastic or rubber parts of the cable.

That should drive Audacity nuts if it's recording when you do this. If you get no reaction at all, then the problem is from that cable toward the computer. That may only work on one sound channel.

We are intentionally creating buzz and hum in order to test the system.

Anyone still here?

The forum elves are sprinkled all over earth and it has to be daylight in the same region that the elf lives who knows the answer. Most forums have a response time measured in weeks.

Koz

Apologies.

I already have tested it, i get sound but it's rubbish and has loads of background noise.

[steve]

All indications are that the problem lies either with the output from the amp. or the input with the computer (less likely to have identical faults on two computers), or with the connection between the amp and the computer.

Unless you are able to: (a) test the output from the amp by recording or playing that output through some device other than a computer, (b) test the input of the computer by recording from some other audio source such as a CD player, then I don't think that we can get any further with this.

[kozikowski]

I already have tested it, i get sound but it's rubbish and has loads of background noise.

You tested the guitar amplifier. Did you do the finger touch test instead of the amplifier? If the finger gives you loud volume buzz and hum, then the guitar amplifier may have a problem.

Koz