Horrible quality coming from new laptop - asking for help

[GreetBeatz]

I have been recording for a few years now. I haven't ran into this problem before.

I only record vocals.

Set-Up:

compaq presario cq60-615dx (brand new)
ART Tube MP Studio V3 Amp
AKG Perception mic
Cables connect into connector to go into the MIC slot on the computer.
Adobe Audition

The compaq has Conexant Pebble High Definition SmartAudio as its driver. I have never used it before. No matter how high or low I turn the mic up on the computer, it stays the same (LOUD). The setting insists the mic is +20db and if it turn it down it distorts the sound, makes it choppy, kind of skipping and not good quality at all. Also, the playback in the headphones is delayed by a split second.

I have a 3 yr old Compaq Presario that still records great, I just wanted an upgraded computer. Is there any way to correct the sound to normal and stop the delay?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading

 

[Steenamaroo]

i'm no expert, but i'd imaging that if you are running the microphone into the art preamp, you'd want to connect the preamp to a LINE IN on the laptop, rather than a MIC in...

try that out and see if it helps...


as far as headphone playback being delayed; that's called latency.


do a quick search here to see how people work around it, but i'm fairly sure that with onboard sound, especially in a laptop, latency is always gona be an issue...

hope that's useful..

 

[GreetBeatz]

It doesn't have a LINE IN input. the preamp connects to the computer thru the microphone input. It's always worked except for this time. Also there is alot of hiss coming from it.

I also noticed the amp needle stays at 2. When I use it with my other computers it goes all the way to the left side.

What could that mean?

 

[Steenamaroo]

hmmm,,idk,i'm 99% sure that a preamp should never connect to a microphone input.



as i understand it, the mic input on a laptop IS a preamp; just a really crap one.


what amp needle are you referring to? is it on the art unit?

 

[Damian227]

as i understand it, the mic input on a laptop IS a preamp; just a really crap one.

That's how I understand it too. Your best bet is to record via a USB or Firewire Audio Interface with it's own preamps, if you have no Line In option. That eliminates the awful built in 'Mic' preamp and will also eliminate the hiss problem. A friend had the very same issue until he bought the Saffire 6 USB

 

[mjbphotos]

Yep, get an interface. If you're only doing vocals, a USB interface with 2 channels will be your least expensive option.

 

[TeyshaBlue]

Get a dedicated interface....the onboard card's are terrible for recording. USB or Firewire interfaces can be had pretty cheaply. Do a bit of research and pick one that suits your needs.

Then, when you install the interface, disable your laptop's soundcard. You can do this either in bios, or the control panel. The interface will then become your soundcard, and a far, far superior one at that.

 

[presto5]

yep

Get a dedicated interface....the onboard card's are terrible for recording. USB or Firewire interfaces can be had pretty cheaply. Do a bit of research and pick one that suits your needs.

Then, when you install the interface, disable your laptop's soundcard. You can do this either in bios, or the control panel. The interface will then become your soundcard, and a far, far superior one at that.

Yeah you need an interface get a small 2 channel like he said but at least spend the extra $50 or whatever for one that supports phantom power for when you upgrade to a condenser mic...Which I promise you will. I use Presonus Audiobox..has Phantom and I like it cus theres no a/c jack ...powered purely by USB...No more wires!!!