soundcard horror story

[jwgeetar]

Hey all,
I’ve been reading and studying my soundcard options here.
But I was wondering if there was a way to fix my problem before
the expense.

I have a new berringer mixer lined out of the main out (with stereo rca outs)
Into the” line in”(eigth inch stereo connector) of my Philips 2 channel soundcard.(model psc702). BTW,Not the mic input either! When I record from my cassette deck (which is patched into the mixer) into my harddrive I get major distortion on playback.

Also, when I record my guitar and vocals at other times, I get the same thing---Distortion, and that over driving type noise. My levels are not overdriven from the sound graph’s. I have used N-TRACK,GOLDWAVE, and the Windows recorder getting the same result on all software.s.

I have all new equipment and cables. Should’nt I be able to record like this or do I need an analog to digital converter? Do most soundcards convert analog to digital anyway?
Or do I need a recording soundcard 24/96 that shows a A/D converter in their spec’s?

I do not see any kind of converter listed in the spec’s of my soundcard..it’s only six months old.BTW,it plays my mp3's and cd's fine.
Thanks for the help,jw

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Windows 2000 Pro
AMD 1.2 ghz processor
Abit KT7-Raid Socket A Mobo
300 watt P/S
256megs SDRAM PC133
Matrox 20 gig h-drive
3dfx voodoo3 vid card
Microsoft optical mouse
Linkysys 10/100 PCI adapter
Creative 56k Modem Blaster
Philips Rhythmic Edge soundcard
Sanyo 32X CDROM
Buslink CDRW 12x8x32
15” moniter lizard
Unreal Tournament-“Butt E”,

 

[raindrops]

All soundcards have A/D on them (how else would the A get turned into D?). You say the levels are fine on your desk but maybe they are clipping the input on your soundcard? See what the resultant wave file looks like after recording. If not then your soundcard may just be crap (Phillips??)! The new bunch of 24/96 cards are bargainous. Goodluck

(my 100th post i would like to add, I get to be a Senior member)

 

[pratt]

you may have already done this...

check your soundcard's 'mixer' and make sure that the 'line in' volume isn't too high (and causing distortion)...

 

[RWhite]

Ditto, check the input level on your software mixer on the PC.

Also, you might want to check that you don't have some sort of ground loop, although that would be more of a constant "hum" than distortion. Try plugging the computer, mixer, and cassette all in the same power strip. And make sure you have a good ground.

Also, try running your cassette desk line out directly to the sound card and see what happens.

And check that the channel EQ on your mixer is set flat.

Last thing, if the cassette directly into the sound card is OK, just for the hell of it try using the monitor out on the mixer rather than the mains. If that works OK then you will have narrowed the problem down to the mains on the mixer. Make sure any effects send you are using are completely off.

Thats all I can think of right now...

 

[jwgeetar]

thanks all, yea the mixer level is ok i guess. i mean i adjusted it up and down several times.i got it where the levels recorded in n-track are acceptable---within the graphic.

i will try the things you mention rw. i haven't gone straight into the soundcard from the cassette deck yet.

i am using the main outs for the signal to the soundcard. the mixer manual says this is my signal output. will give it a go tomorrow when i get a moment then post the results.

appreciate the info......jw