Recording volume

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I'm recording a guitar synth with an SBLive Platinum, but am getting a rather distorted sound with a lot of resonance. After adjusting the volume I get better sound quality, but there are so many volume contols involved in my setup... The truth is I don't know how to handle the volumen level, nor where to control it. I was using the line 2/mic 2 input but it stopped working, so I bought a jack to minijack adapter and now I use the mic in line. Can any of the pros advice on this issue? How can I get more quality? What kind og connections I would need to reduce noise? HOW do you reduce noise? 8-O
 
Mic-in ain't gonna cut it. You need to take the line level output of the your guitar synth module into the line in of your SB. Why did it stop working? If it really is broke, your looking at a new sound card. I'd keep the levels on the SB mixer at around 3/4 max for the line in, and use the output volume on the sound module to give you enough signal.
 
Thanx. Now, there are other volume controls inbetween, should I leave them at full or at 3/4? I'm using the pickup control while the synth's is at full... And would it really help to have shielded connectors?
 
What other volume controls are we talking about here? Shielded cables are very important and may be the source of your noise problem.
 
As Emeric said, stop using the mic port. Another source of noise will be your monitor. Turn your monitor off and see if the noise goes away. If you find that it's the problem, try turning such that your guitar is perpendicular to the monitor or move farther away...or turn the monitor off while recording. I personally use a 14" for tracking and my new 19" (thanks to my girlfriend c/o santa) for mixing which works well (since you don't need to see much while tracking).

As to what you set the recording level at on the the soundcard....this has always been a mystery to me. It seems logical to set it at full blast...but I've read some usenet threads where people who *sounded* like they knew what they were talking about mentioned setting the record level to 3/4 on soundblasters. I remember not being able to get a clear explanation. The biggest problem is that finding actual real useable specs from creative labs is a challenge in its own....too much hype.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Basically, the synth and pickup volumes, and I've tried also passing the signal through the amplifier, though now I redirect the synth signal to both the ampli and the SB. The amplifier has two volume controls: a crunch volume and the normal volume. There is also the recording app's volume (either the SB recorder or the wave editor it includes). And if I use the line in 2, it has it's own control. Not to mention the Windows' icon... And sometimes I use headphones while recording, so there's another control. I'm confused as to the relationship between the open output's volume and the final recording's volume. As this synth expresses dynamics very accurately, I don't want to miss recording pianissimo parts nor saturating when playing fff... ;-}
 
Your recording app's input fader will probably control all the other window's faders as well. Try that, what happens if you move the recording app input fader to 10, does the input fader in the SB control panel also go to 10?

Your guitar amp volume doesn't matter, unless your micing it. The synth pickup - I can't remember, the last guitar synth I used was an old Roland VG something. Wouldn't the pickup's be cranked full for tracking accuracy? maybe not, I don't know anything about guitar synths.

Your final volume will be what you see on the meter's in your recording app.
 
So, I would have to tweak controls until the recording's app meter has an acceptable level when playing fortissimo? If that's true, it would simplify the issue a lot!

This pickup tracks the string's vibration, then it sends a separate volume signal that modulates the picking's velocity (MIDI for volume). I use it to control both the open output and the recording's volume, but if I understand, I'd better leave it at some level. according to the apps meter, and control independently the open output's signal. Is this correct?
 
Yes I think so. Unless you use it for volume swells or something.

I'm a bit confused by your setup, but whatever you use to set the volume output - get the highest input possible on the meters in in your recording app, without hitting 0dB.
 
Well, I guess I have plenty to experiment with during the weekend. It will be a holiday in Mexico, so I'll have time. And yes, the setup is *somewhat* complicated, took me two weeks to gather all connections and cables. I'll equip some shielded connectors to see the differences and I'll tell you how it went. Thanx a lot!
 
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