line in recording problems

[jp]

a complete newbie question, I know...

I've had both very good and very poor results when mixing my multitrack to my computer to make my recordings into .wav or .mp3 format - here's the deal. I run the output on my 4 track into the input on my soundcard and use cooledit (or any other sound recorder, the results are the same) to record the track... but man, I have to lower the master volume on my 4 track down to 1 or 2 (/10) to get to clipping and noise down so that I can even make out the music from the noise... even when I get it as good as I can there is still enough clipping and noise to seriously lower the quality of the recording. My theory, something to do with the input volume being waaaay to high, put how can I turn it down? my "Volume" control panel doesn't seem to affect it at all... or maybe there is simply a better way to do this?

Any suggestions would be helpful...

 

[Track Rat]

First, make sure you're going into the line in and not the mic in. Then right click on the little speaker icon in the lower right hand corner of your screen and open "volume controls". There you can adjust your line input levels.