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Recorded sound distorted.
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Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 5:16 am ]
Post subject:  Recorded sound distorted.
OK, I use a laptop for hosting (compuhost + winamp).

I plug the "Rec" output from my mixer into the input on the laptop, and it just comes through incredibly loud and distorted.

So I tried it with my wireless mic's.  Same, even the lower levels came out loud and distorted.

Seems to me that the input on my laptop must be MIC-IN rather than LINE-IN.

Is there any way around this?
Author:  chuck217 [ Wed May 21, 2008 6:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
I found mine to be the same way, until I went with an external USB sound card.  The first was a sound blaster USB MP3+ card, which was excellent, because it had stereo RCA inputs and outputs.  I am unsure if Creative still makes this card.  After 2 years of use, it kind of got a bit flakey on me, and after searching for another replacement I came up dry,  so I moved to a Sound Blaster Live! USB card.  I use Miniplug to Stereo RCA with this,  but it does have a line out and sounds pretty good --

hope this helps.
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 6:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Thank you.

So you are saying that my laptop is limited by only having MIC-IN, and an external solution would provide the LINE-IN that I need?

Been looking at the Griffin iMic.  Remember, this is only for recording karaoke for a laugh - not for studio quality!
Author:  chuck217 [ Wed May 21, 2008 6:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
I wouldnt say its limiting,  my brother uses his mic input on the laptop,  but you have hear a difference in what I record compared to what he records
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 6:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Ah...

If I run it through the mic input on my laptop - seriously you'd not be able to listen to it.  It sounds like an amplified signal going into a mic port.

I need to understand my hardware better, I think my mixer is amplifying slightly.
Author:  mckyj57 [ Wed May 21, 2008 7:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Most laptops have a PAD option on their input. Look at your Volume Control / Sound config. On my Sigmatel, you have a choice of three input options -- internal mic, mic in, or line in. And in addition, you can select the trim on it.

I am guessing you have "Mic In" selected with a high volume level....
Author:  Lonman [ Wed May 21, 2008 7:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Plus what are you using for your recording software?  Most will have an input adjustment as well.  Download & give Audacity a shot - it's free.
Author:  stogie [ Wed May 21, 2008 7:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
I have a very inexpensive and simple solution. Order a Behringer Ucontrol USB external sound card from Musician's Friend, it's only $30. Plug it into your computer and then run a cable from the sound card to your mixer and then back from the mixer to the sound card. Download audacity(free) and you are all set. I just did this and will be trying it out in the next few days.
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 7:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Well currently am using Compuhost's automated recordng option.  It is very sparse when it comes to features, and yeah - I am shocked I didn't give Audacity a try earlier, if nothing else it will allow me to monitor levels before committing to record.

But seriously, it's not a case of it just being too "loud", I feel it's taking an already pre-amped line into a MIC input, which in turn expects to amp it up.

And will certainly look at that Behriger thing :)
Author:  stogie [ Wed May 21, 2008 8:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
At $30 it's a no brainer. Forget about recording for a minute, you can use it at all your gigs to play music through. If your computer sound card isn't that good or it goes on the fritz or you switch to another computer, just unplug the external sound card and plug it into another computer, what could be easier? also, Behringer has recording software that you can download. I haven't looked into it yet, I believe it's free like audacity. I may DL it today and see what it's all about.
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Yup, you are right, I will look at getting me one :)

Payday soon :)
Author:  diykaraoke [ Wed May 21, 2008 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
You may also want to look if you Mic Boost is turned on. It is under the advanced tab in the sound control panel. This may help.

Ed
Author:  Lonman [ Wed May 21, 2008 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
evocals @ Wed May 21, 2008 11:28 am wrote:
You may also want to look if you Mic Boost is turned on. It is under the advanced tab in the sound control panel. This may help.

Ed


This depends on the soundcard manu & their own software.  Not all of them have the mic boost feature.
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
evocals:  100% hear you buddy.  That was the FIRST thing I looked for.  Except the laptop doesn't have that option, nor is there any form of config within the Sounds applet in Control Panel :(

See, on my other laptop (nice shiny new Dell) - when I plug in to the mic/line-in socket - I get a popup asking whether I want it configured to mic or line-in (which basically is the same as ticking that box I guess).

But the laptop I use for karaoke is 1 year old HP with no such option (even though latest drivers).  I use it cos it's solid and rugged though!
Author:  MorganLeFey [ Wed May 21, 2008 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
I too use an external sound card whenever recording...not that I record at gigs...for no other reason than I just dont remember to get organised in time :)
Author:  twansenne [ Wed May 21, 2008 5:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
How about just turning down the output of the mixer that you are  using with your laptop???
Author:  Jian [ Wed May 21, 2008 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
twansenne @ 22nd May 2008, 9:45 am wrote:
How about just turning down the output of the mixer that you are  using with your laptop???


record out have no vol crl.

Use a soundcard.
Author:  Nlouch [ Wed May 21, 2008 10:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Turning it down...  Well yeah as Jian said, REC out has no level control, it's a straight signal.  :(

I am gonna get a USB Soundcard :)
Author:  Lonman [ Thu May 22, 2008 1:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Does the mixer have a controllable headphone out jack?  Usually this is the same mix as the main out & you can control the volume from the mixer.
Author:  Nlouch [ Thu May 22, 2008 2:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Recorded sound distorted.
Yes it does - but I currently use this for headphones.

But yeah, been down this route and it was also still V loud (again I reckon because it was expecting a non-amplified input).
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