Recording Troubleshooting

  • Thread starter Thread starter RobbieG
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RobbieG

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Hi All:

I'm having some difficulty. This is my recording set-up

SM57->XLR Cable->ART Tube Preamp->cable->into line-in on soundcard

Is there anything wrong with that? :confused: Because all of my preferences on my computer(and Audacity, for that matter) are set correctly.

Do I need an audio interface(please say no).

I'm a total Newb, I know :p
Thanks.
 
Only problem I see is you have a decent setup being entered into the PC the worst way possible. It would be a lot wiser to use a interface instead of plugging into your soundcard line in. What problems are you having?
 
It just doesn't seem to be recording. Haha I don't know what the problem is, I guess. I'll set everything up and check it out again, I guess.

I know the quality isn't going to be as good going into my soundcard(though I'll probably have the recording quality set to the highest bit/Hz possible when laying down important stuff, ala lead vocals). I just wanted to know if it was possible to go directly into Line-In(the guy on the help line said I had to have an audio interface).

Thanks guys.
Means a lot.

Peace.
 
Goya, I asssume you are using the soundcard that came with the computer intergrated onto the motherboard? May not be compatable.Dumb question,you have the inputs assigned in Audacity correctly? Record armed?Just had to ask. Do you get any signal input at all?
 
Last edited:
jmorris said:
Goya, I asssume you are using the soundcard that came with the computer imtergrated onto the motherboard? May not be compatable.Dumb question,you have the inputs assigned in Audacity correctly? Record armed?Just had to ask. Do you get any signal input at all?
Click to expand...

I think u meant me, not Goya.

Yes, I have the inputs all set in Audacity and on Vista. So, my soundcard might not me compatible? How can I tell?

This is getting frustrating; I just wanted to simply record a couple of my songs.
 
No, I have a Delta 1010LT. Perhaps you are confusing me with another poster?
 
Goya, ur in Louisville? I'm just east of Lexington.

small world :D
 
Did you make sure you're recording from "Microphone" with the line input volume on max in Audacity? I'm pretty sure the default is having the volume at 0.
 
RobbieG said:
Goya, ur in Louisville? I'm just east of Lexington.

small world :D
Click to expand...


Howdy neighbor. :D

It's all fun and games until the Cards play the Cats.

Have you been able to input anything using your soundcard? And for the record, a soundcard is an interface. It's just not what is normally thought of when someone says they have an interface.


What kind of soundcard are you using?
 
Just the one that came with the computer.

No. This is the first time I've tried recording anything.
 
Trying going into the soundcard mixer and see if you can get any sound that you are inputing to play through your speakers. Something might be muted or the level might be set to zero. Also, your souncard might be set to record "mic" instead of "line in".
 
Ok, so I've plugged my pre-amp into the line in, into the plce for the mic in the front of the pc, and in the souncard, and NOTHING.

One note though. When I was attempting to record and I pushed "phase/reverse" on my pre-amp, it showed activity on Audacity, which I would think means the preamp connected to the computer is just fine. Which would mean it has something to do with the microphone, uh? That would explain why there is no blinking red light(or any light at all) on the preamp showing some input.

I just bought a brand new Shure SM57.
 
Well, from experience (long ago) here's what I did when I first started recording:

(assuming you have Windows XP or greater)
1.) Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Sound, Speech, and Audio Devices (it may be named differently in Vista, or could also be called "Sound and Audio Devices" if you have your Control Panel in 'Classic View')
2.) Click "Sound and Audio Devices"
3.) Under "Device Volume" click the "Advanced..." button

This should bring up the Windows mixer for your soundcard.

4.) Click "Options -> Properties" on the top
5.) Under "Adjust volume for" click the "Playback" option
6.) If "Line In" is in the list box, make sure it is checked
7.) Click OK and make sure your "Line-In" isn't MUTED
8.) Go back into your properties
9.) Under "Adjust volume for" click the "Recording" option
10.) Again, if "Line In" is in the list box, make sure it is checked
11.) Click OK and make sure your "Line-In" is SELECTED (check box)

You should also make sure that the volume sliders are all the way up.

I really hope that helps!!
 
RobbieG said:
. Which would mean it has something to do with the microphone, uh?

.
Click to expand...

....Or the mic pre. If the mic is new, you can safely assume it's okay for now. Probably want to go back and look at the manual for the mic pre to verify you've got it set up correctly.
What about the xlr cable? Is it new? They can fail easily enough if slightly abused.

Good luck.
 
The XLR cable is brand new, too. :confused:
(oh, and thank you d.bop. I've gone into the settings and tinkered with it several times).

Maybe I should just really crank up the input on my preamp?
I dunno; this seems so strange.
 
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