What do I need

[DamanisDave]

When I connect my mixer or really anything else that's powered to my notebook(mic/line in) it really sounds like crap! I'll be dead by the time I can explain all the connections so basically, I have all band equipment set up as such. I just plugged the mixer into Line/mic in on my notebook and expected it to be good. I stuck it everywhere trying to find one hole that didn't buzz. I understand the basics and I have a Yamaha MD4S that makes things sound alright but, I am interested in using this pc program I got called acid4.0 THIS is where I feel dumb...I didn't have a cable w/ 1/4" on one end and 1/2" on the other so I used a handy 1/4" to 1/2" adapter. I think this is where I'm screwing up. Pretty much just want to make one trip to radio shack! Thanks

 

[reshp1]

Unless by "crap" you mean distortion there's not much you can do. The preamp in your mic/line in is going to be crap, the converters are going to be crap, and laptop soundcards are notorious for picking up all sorts of mechanical and electrical noise since everything's so tightly packed inside a laptop.
If you are getting distortion then you are running the signal in too hot. Your mixer most likely runs at +4dB ("pro" equipment) while the laptop is -10dB ("consumer" equipment). Turn down the output of your mixer and also turn down the mic volume (Control panel, sounds, Audio tab, Sound recording, volume, adjust mic volume).

BTW The plug into your laptop is 1/8" and your mixer out is most likely 1/4" (not 1/4 and 1/2 as you described)

 

[jeap]

what does he need?

and what do you mean by "masturbate god"?

 

[reshp1]

Good call, there should be a comma in there. LOL.

 

[spectrescape]

Dave, what kind of mixer do you have? Also what kind of laptop?

Chances are the previous post is right - you need to convert the 1/4" mono outputs of your mixer to the 1/8" stereo Line In of your laptop. If so, this and two of these are what you'll need to get from Radio Shack - they don't sell the exact cabling you need.

Also, make sure to adjust the Line In volume on the laptop, as this might be causing some of your noise (as suggested by reshp1). And be aware that some laptops' onboard soundcards are inherently noisy - I had a Dell where the Line In would buzz crazily whenever you moved the mouse.

Hope that helps.