big problem

[JLinardi]

we set up a computer connected to a mixing desk and a hi-fi connected to the mixing desk. We record throiugh cool edit. We had it set up fine last week, the vocals were recorded perfectly and they were comming through the headphones like we wanted.

But today (nothing has been changed since last time) we tried to record, and the computer seems to be not recording anything from the mic, but instead recording fro something inside the computer. At first it was just recording the instrumental that was being played to record the vocals over. Then we messed around with settings and the vocals stopped comming through the headphones and now just a load of distortion is recorded. However the vocals still come through the hi-fi but the computer doesnt seem to pick up the mic signal.

Does anyone have any idea whats wrong and any solutions to the problem??

 

[Farview]

Where are the 'phones plugged into? What is the hi fi for? What is playing the backing track? (for you to sing over)

 

[crankz1]

Sounds like somebody messed around with the windows mixer settings.
You need to check the Playback and Record settings of your soundcard.

Double click the little speaker by the clock .... this will show Playback controls. For you to be hearing the Mic input ... you obviously don't have the Mic muted and a level is set for the Playback volume. Here is where you will adjust all of the other Playback levels of your soundcard (wave\mp3, MIDI, CD ...etc...).
Now in that window, click Options ... then Properties ... now select to adjust volume controls for Recording .... now place a check-mark at all of the controls you want to be shown ... now click OK.
You will now be looking at the Record controls ... this is where you will select what input you want to use for recording .... "Only select the Line In or Mic In". Best to use Line In with an external form of pre-amplification, as most standard soundcards have shitty Mic channel pre's. All of this really only applies to a standard soundcard ... if you have a pro-sumer card, then you will need to use it's control panel for selecting Inputs and Playback control.

HTH

-Ken

-Edit- I see now that you are using a Mixer to monitor your signal via the HiFi (not necessarily the best method ... see Using a mixer with a DAW for other methods) ..... Just make sure you have the mixer running to the Line In and that the Line In is selected as the recording Input.