Figured out how to record through PA, but now my recording is distorted! Please help

  • Thread starter Thread starter KeriShaw
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KeriShaw

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Hi all, I'm a vocalist and I've just bought myself a Peavey Audio Performer portable PA for live performances. It's pretty easy to set up, and I've figured it all out, and after a long while, figured out how to record onto Audacity. However, when I play back my recordings, louder notes are distorting, even though I move away from the MIC. Is it a setting I'm missing or how do I do this. I'm using the PVi 100 mic, which I realise is not ideal for home recording but it's the best I've got for right now.

Any input would be great!

Keri
 
How is your voice getting to the PC? Describe the exact signal chain...

ie. Keri -> microphone -> etc.....


Most likely you're feeding a line level PA output signal into a mic level input on your PC but until you tell us how you're doing what you're doing, can't tell...
 
Hi Armistice - yeah that's exactly what I'm doing... PA output signal into the mic input on the laptop..
 
KeriShaw said:
Hi Armistice - yeah that's exactly what I'm doing... PA output signal into the mic input on the laptop..
Click to expand...

....and therein will lie the problem. The output of your PA is almost certainly "Line Level" while the Mic input to your laptop is, well, "Mic Level". This means the laptop is expecting a signal 50 or 60 dB lower than what you're sending it.

It's worth finishing off the description the Armistice was asking for just to make sure I'm right....something like Keri -> Microphone ->Channel 1 input on mixer -> Tape out -> Laptop (or however you do it).

If I'm right, there might be a temporary solution by just turning the output level down to just above zero (assuming you can do this without affecting the live mix). However in the longer term a cheap, basic USB audio interface for you laptop would match up the levels properly.
 
Bobbsy said:
....and therein will lie the problem. The output of your PA is almost certainly "Line Level" while the Mic input to your laptop is, well, "Mic Level". This means the laptop is expecting a signal 50 or 60 dB lower than what you're sending it.

It's worth finishing off the description the Armistice was asking for just to make sure I'm right....something like Keri -> Microphone ->Channel 1 input on mixer -> Tape out -> Laptop (or however you do it).

If I'm right, there might be a temporary solution by just turning the output level down to just above zero (assuming you can do this without affecting the live mix). However in the longer term a cheap, basic USB audio interface for you laptop would match up the levels properly.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much guys! That helps a lot :)
 
If my guess about how you're routing your signal, something like THIS between the mixer and your laptop will sort you levels out completely.
 
That Behringer box will indeed be fine except if your laptop is Windows 7! (or Vista. Not tried that but can now, got a Toshy Blista laptop from work...B awful thing!)

You will probably still have a level problem but fear not! You can be helped!

Dave.
 
Behringer have Win 7 drivers for their "U CONTROL' series now.

It's certainly not my usual recommendation but, in this case seems to be what's needed. I don't know of any other cheap, line only interfaces with phono/RCA inputs (matching the rec out on her mixer) to keep things easy.
 
Bobbsy said:
Behringer have Win 7 drivers for their "U CONTROL' series now.

It's certainly not my usual recommendation but, in this case seems to be what's needed. I don't know of any other cheap, line only interfaces with phono/RCA inputs (matching the rec out on her mixer) to keep things easy.
Click to expand...

Agreed. There is this...ESI Phonorama Vinyl Tape Recording Interface
but at nearly 3x the price of the UCA. The ESI is 24 bits however and is likely to be better quality (I have an ESI 1010e, very clean and solid, ONCE you get the drivers installed, bit of a PITA!)

But frankly I would look out for a second hand Audio Interface such as the Tascam 122/144 or an M-Audio Fast track pro. Both work well on W7/64.

Dave.
 
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