consistent recording levels

[petie_gwm]

Whether recording from adobe audition or windows sound recorder as a wav, the recording levels are not consistent. I record lots of things that have quiet moments, ie classical, spoken word. Whenever the audio in the original recording is quiet, the recording almost drops out entirely or becomes very low. When the music picks up steam, it takes a second for the recording to come up to full volume. Basically the levels are all over the place. If it's a pop or rock or dance song with even levels that I am recording I don't have a problem. Any suggestions on not having what seems to be an automatic recording level adjustor would be appreciated.

I am using XP
C-Media AC97 Sound Device

If this is my sound card doing this automatic adjusting I have researched and found the following:

In my programs under "start" I have C-Media 3D Audio. Subcategories there are only "Play 3D Demo program", and "Uninstall C-Media 3D Audio".

The only configuring I seem to be able to find is the basic windows volume control panel. However I see a blue icon in the task bar on the c-media website. However, I don't have that icon in my task bar which has been confusing me. I just went to msconfig in "run" to see if it's unchecked in my start-up items but it's not even listed there. I cannot find any way to get to any options on my sound card at all. All I can get to is the standard Windows Volume Control window. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Massive Master]

Get an interface that's made for the purpose. You don't need to spend a bundle - M-Audio's 2496, Echo's MIA, something along those lines. Built-in SB-type gaming interfaces with bad converters and all the goofy pseudo-surround have too much rope to hang yourself with (and really bad converters).

 

[altitude909]

Generic ASIO drivers from ASIO4ALL.com are what you want. I use my onboard AC97 audio for computer sounds and general use when i dont have the big monitors turned on and the asio4all drivers do OK for basic audio stuff. It will get u by until you get a better soundcard

 

[petie_gwm]

i am a novice

I went to ASIO4ALL.com . Am I supposed to download something there? Is it really free? I clicked the 1st link and it was:
ASIO4ALL 2.7 - English

I didn't download it but isn't that an update to something else I am supposed to get?

I really am a novice and quite confused on what to do next.

PS The recording levels are really starting to go up and down willy nilly. This is not when initially playing what I am recording. It is the recordings I make.

Thanks

 

[witka]

Yup, all you have to do is download that "asio4all 2.7 english" (if you speak english that is ) - it is an .exe file so just run it and it will install the drivers for you. You should go through the instruction manual yourself, but basically you'll just be selecting ASIO drivers in whatever audio program you're using. As well, there is an ASIO panel that you use to control basic features like latency, etc.

This may or may not fix your problem but it's a worthwhile start. I'm sure you're aware of this but if you click on your start button and go All Programs --> Accessories --> Entertainment and click on "volume control" there is a mixer there where you can adjust recording levels...

 

[petie_gwm]

before i do this

Before I attempt this I just want to be clear. You are saying that this is a new sound card I am installing and it is free?
I know you say this may not solve my problem but just to reiterate, I have the recording levels set in my volume control which I do know about. Everything sounds great. It's only when I play back a recording that I made that the volume level jumps up and down especially during quiet parts of music. But lately I have noticed the levels jumping around at other moments too. This happens when I record with Adobe Audition or Windows Sound Recorder.

 

[altitude909]

no, it's just a different driver for your existing sound card. They dont bother with writing high performance drivers for low end onboard soundcards. This is a generic one which will improve your sound cards performance. It will not affect anything in your system other than apps that use it, and even then you actually have to choose the ASIO4ALL driver as a the primary dirver

 

[petie_gwm]

more questions

Sorry if these questions are obvious but after I download it how do i choose it as the one to use? And how come this is free? Is it shareware? Does it have spyware?

 

[altitude909]

It's freeware. No spyware or anything. In what ever programs audio settings, just select the ASIO4ALL as the driver

 

[dirtyp]

its a driver. there always free.
If they start charging for drivers well have to start a revolution.....

 

[daav]

the difference between an interface (and drivers) made for audio and stock soundcard is night and day. well worth investing 100-200 even on a serious budget.

Daav

 

[petie_gwm]

I downloaded the ASIO4ALL driver and seem to have it enabled but there is absolutely no difference. Still getting completely erratic recording levels. The levels are find when I am playing the original file, it's when I record it and play back the wav file that it's erratic. You can really see it if you watch the levels in adobe auditon.

I have a 30 second sample I could send to someone if they want to see what I am talking about. I can send the wav file and/or the adobe session.

 

[Farview]

It isn't the ASIO drivers, it's the hardware. (your soundcard) Get one that was made for doing what you are doing. You wouldn't try to deliver concrete on a motorcycle, don't try to record with a gaming card.

 

[Massive Master]

I was at Home Depot a few weeks ago on my motorcycle...

In the parking lot, I was putting a couple bags in the saddlebags and a guy says "Now, THAT'S a work truck!"

Not missing a beat, I said "Yeah, but drywall is a bitch..."

I thought he was going to piss himself...

 

[petie_gwm]

more confused than ever

Now i am really confused. Sorry but once again I am a novice...obviously. Getting all different opinions here on what to do but i guess that's what a message board is for.

So I guess I should uninstall that ASIO4ALL driver now and start from scratch.

So I am taking it that I definitely need a new sound card correct? And that would definitely fix my problem? Has anyone ever heard of my exact issue before? I want to be sure of this because I am on a very tight budget. I'll have to take my computer into a shop and have them make a suggestion and install it for me (which will probably cost a lot and I am not rich).

As far as why I will have to take it somewhere, I looked at the picture of the M-audio 2496 that someone earlier recommended and it looks quite complicated. And there are no dealers for that product here in Illinois.

As far as Echo's MIA there is a dealer somewhat near me.
I can't find prices for either of those on their sites though.

Any other recomendations on an inexpensive sound card that will solve the only problem I am having which is inconsistent volume on the recorded songs? Would love advice so I am not just listening to a salesperson's opinion (and usually I find they don't know what they are talking about anyway especially at some place like Best Buy).

Once again sorry for my ignorance but this board is for "newbies".

Ps Once again I do have an example of my problem in a 30 sec wave and a 30 sec adobe audition file if anyone wants to take me up on listening to the problem.

 

[altitude909]

Go to a guitar center, ask for help there, they will have everything u need

And there are no dealers for that product here in Illinois

» Algonquin
» Arlington Heights
» Burbank
» Chicago
» Country Club Hills
» Highland Park
» Joliet
» Naperville
» Peoria
» Rockford
» Villa Park

 

[petie_gwm]

guitar center

There's one near my home. Didn't know they had computer parts. Thanks for the advice. Will head there this weekend to see what they say.