Recording w/guitar

[metdrummer00]

I just started recording with my guitar, I have excellent knowledge of Adobe Audition, but I don't know what the problem is.

I bought a Line 6 combo amp, and plugged into my line in and got a signal, however, it's always distorted (clean channel) through my speakers no matter what the volume is of the amp, or using the fader on Windows Sound. Anything I might be doing wrong? I realize a real mixer or a USB input device would probably work wonders, but I have an Audigy soundcard that shouldn't be doing this.

[dgatwood]

Originally Posted by metdrummer00

I just started recording with my guitar, I have excellent knowledge of Adobe Audition, but I don't know what the problem is.

I bought a Line 6 combo amp, and plugged into my line in and got a signal, however, it's always distorted (clean channel) through my speakers no matter what the volume is of the amp, or using the fader on Windows Sound. Anything I might be doing wrong? I realize a real mixer or a USB input device would probably work wonders, but I have an Audigy soundcard that shouldn't be doing this.

You sure you plugged it into the line input and not the mic input? Beyond that... you're not using... like a powered output of an amp or a headphone output or something, are you? Make sure you're using a line output (e.g. a punch-in or an effects send) from the amp.

[Dani Pace]

Check and make sure of your connections. The mic in will always distort if you plug into it from your line out on your amp. You might also want to try a different cable, sometimes (not often fortunately) even new cables are bad.

[XLR]

Looks like you're overloading the soundcard's input. Check the manual to make sure you're plugging into a line level input, not a mic input. To understand what's happening you might want to use the search button above looking for "gain staging".

If you've already tried to adjust the soundcard's line input and it's still distorting, then the signal going in is too hot for it to handle. Check all the related inputs and outputs to see that they're all working at -10 dBV (sometimes called consumer line level) or all at +4 dBU(sometimes called pro line level) but not mixed between the two. Most consumer soundcards have in's and out's that work at -10 dBV... and a +4 dBU signal going in will overload them.

If nothing's adjustable to get the levels to be compatible, get an in-line attenuator (looks like a plug adapter) and that'll reduce the level of the signal going in for you.

Tim