problem with recording

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mr. jones

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Hey!

I'm just testing my new computer based recording system (A C01 Samson condenser mic through a Eurorack UB802 preamp to a PC laptop with a SoundMAX integrated Digital Audio soundcard. I use Cool Edit pro 2.0.) And I have a problem.

Everything went surprisingly smooth, i just plugged everything in, said 123 into the mic and the recording of my voice was crystal clear, really good. Then I tried to record my acoustic guitar strumming and shit: it's distorted. When i pluck only one string it sounds crystal, but when many strings are vibrating the sound distords. I tried playing really quietly too, but the effect is the same.

So, it seems that something in this can't handle two or more notes being played at the same time. Seems really weird to me. Can anybody help, please! Hopefully my explanation was understandable...
 
I'll Try

Some part of you signal chain is being overdriven.
Most possibly your sound card's input amp is not able to handle the strength of signal you are sending it. First make sure you are going into the Line IN of your souncard and not the Mic In. The Mic In already has some amplification to it so you would be adding more to more.
Also watch the mixer to see if you are pushing the input gain to the point of distortion.
Most probably if you back off the mic gain and send a gentler signal level to the sound card you will be fine. If you have been using the mic in that will definitely be the source of your problem.

Remember, on digital recording, watch your software meters closely. Going into "the Red" is an absolute no no.
 
Thanks for replying tmix!

I'm quite scared to find out that my laptop seems to have ONLY a mic in. It has two inputs, one for a one-chanelled mic and another for headphones. This sounds kinda fatal...

Anyway, i really don't think the signal i'm sending is too strong, cause i can SHOUT into the mic and have a clean recording, but as soon as i have two voices at the same time, it breaks.
 
It's your sound card. That mic in on the lap top is going to be a problem.
 
As far as I know, the soundcard is integrated and can't be changed. There is, however, a place for an additional card so it's possible to get a better soundcard. But i'm not sure how the machine will handle a new soundcard with the original inside. I hate this. Why can't stuff just work :).

I have till tomorrow to deside if i want to buy the mic and the preamp or take them back to the store. Do you think i should buy them anyway as the problem seems to be in the computer? They were really cheap, 200€. And i still have my four-track that they work on.
 
Most of the time the onboard soundcard can be disabled on your computer (generally in the BIOS section I believe). to where it should not give you any grief.
 
Thanks, everyone. I'm getting a sweet usb soundcard and eliminate that useless integrated one. No line-in? Fuck off!
 
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