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geo315
New member
I heard you can record by going from the speaker jack to the line in jack. When I try it I get very loud feedback and no recording. Any help would be appreciated. thanks geo.
AlChuck
Well-known member
You heard way wrong. You might have destroyed your line inputs.
You need a line level signal to feed a line level input. Speaker level is a much larger signal as it has to drive speaker coils and manifest all that actual sound pressure.
What is it, a guitar amp? If it does not have a preamp out or direct out, you should mic it. In fact, you should probably mic it even if it does have a line out if you want to capture a halfway-decent sound.
You need a line level signal to feed a line level input. Speaker level is a much larger signal as it has to drive speaker coils and manifest all that actual sound pressure.
What is it, a guitar amp? If it does not have a preamp out or direct out, you should mic it. In fact, you should probably mic it even if it does have a line out if you want to capture a halfway-decent sound.
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geo315
New member
I'm not up on this stuff. What do you mean mic it ? I used the line out to the speakers. there is no pre amp or anything. in fact, the speakers have to be plugged in to hear them. So, I firgured why not. btw, I tried the mic jack too. same thing. I ws wondering if there is a setting that has to be turned off or soimething like that. Thanks Geo.
Seanmorse79
New member
AlChuck's right. The line-in jack of your soundcard isn't designed to handle an amplified signal from your amp. I would be fairly surprised if your line-in isn't blown to hell.
Generally, the best way to record electric guitar is to plug your guitar into your amp, get the sound you want, then stick a microphone in front of the amp, and record from the microphone.
In order to do that, you'll probably want to plug the microphone into a mic preamp or a mixer, then connect the output of the preamp or mixer to the line-in of your sound card. IMO, that's the best way to go without a doubt.
Generally, the best way to record electric guitar is to plug your guitar into your amp, get the sound you want, then stick a microphone in front of the amp, and record from the microphone.
In order to do that, you'll probably want to plug the microphone into a mic preamp or a mixer, then connect the output of the preamp or mixer to the line-in of your sound card. IMO, that's the best way to go without a doubt.
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christiaan
Active member
100% what Seanmorse79 said.
AlChuck
Well-known member
Reading that, I have become totally confused, and I realize that we are all jumping to the conclusion that you are using the speaker output of a guitar amp as a source for your soundcard line in. But you never said that...
So can you please describe what it is you are doing? Are you saying you used the line out of the soundcard and patched it straight to the line in? Please tell me that isn't true.
If it is true, though, you have created a feedback loop. Think about the sound that the computer plays out the speakers. If you wire it up like I'm hoping that you didn't, then the sound coming out is sent directly in and echoed back to the line out, which is then sent in and echoed back to the line out, which is then sent in and echoed back to the line out, which is then sent in and echoed back to the line out, which is then sent in and echoed back to the line out...
Each time it loops through the signal it's so close in time to the previous signal that it causes almost perfect constructive interference with the original signal -- so the amplitude approximately doubles -- and before you have the time for a breath it has doubled so many times that it exceeds the capacity of the hardware, distorts, and howls.
Does that make sense?
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geo315
New member
ok, here is what I was trying to do. take a signal from a netcast(computer) and send it to music match via the line in or the mic and record it. I could not get it to work using the method I described. so I tried it using the earphone jack and the mic jack. well it worked but the volume is low. I saw this on the techtv show the other day. I record Rush Limbaugh this way. thanks for the help. Geo.
Seanmorse79
New member
Ok. I thought you were talking about recording from the speaker jack from an amp. The speaker jack from your computer isn't going to output enough signal to blow your card, as it's not amplified above line level.
So, yes, you can do this, but you'll need to make sure that you select "line in" on the recording properties of your windows mixer, and that the line in, wave, and volume control levels are set properly.
An easier way to do this would be to download a freeware app that records the output of your sound card internally. There are a bunch available. I used to have one ...can't remember the name. It'd be a lot easier. Alternatively, if your windows mixer recording properties has a "Wave Output" or "Stereo Mix" option, you can just select that and record with your MusicMatch.
So, yes, you can do this, but you'll need to make sure that you select "line in" on the recording properties of your windows mixer, and that the line in, wave, and volume control levels are set properly.
An easier way to do this would be to download a freeware app that records the output of your sound card internally. There are a bunch available. I used to have one ...can't remember the name. It'd be a lot easier. Alternatively, if your windows mixer recording properties has a "Wave Output" or "Stereo Mix" option, you can just select that and record with your MusicMatch.