recording levels too high on computer

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Member Since: Jan 12, 2005

I read the articles by dB masters on using a mixer into the sound card of the computer. i am trying to use the mixer to mic my amp and record my guitar. i have been doing so directly through a zoom multi-effects pedal for some time and it has worked ok, but i can't really get the tone i get out of my amp. the problem that i have is that when i set all the levels on the mixer correctly and then run it into the sound card as suggested in the article the levels are too high and there is clipping. when i use the control panel to reset the record levels on the line on on my sound card i have to set the line in level as close to zero as humanly possible to get the levels to stop clipping. however, when i do this sound is very "thin" and not really high fidelity. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Hold 'Em Czar
Member
Since: Dec 30, 2004


Jan 12, 2005 03:20 pm

turn down the master fader on your mixer, you're hittin' the line in on your card too hot, so back off the level of whatever you have right in front of it (soundcard) in the signal path.

peace

wyd

Member
Since: Jan 12, 2005


Jan 12, 2005 05:17 pm

Thanks for the reply. actually i neglected to mention that part of it too. i have set the master level on my mixer (Behringer 802A) as low as it goes too. i turned it all the way off and then moved it up ever so slightly until just a bit of signal is registering on the LEDs. Ditto for the slider on the computer's line in--it's on about .5. But then when i record--using Sonar 2.2 --it peaks out way in the red. thanks again.

this site is great-- a lot of help and great info in general.

ILLbino - one of WA's finest
Member
Since: Feb 10, 2004


Jan 12, 2005 05:21 pm

Sounds like you have a setting checked in Sonar that is making it peak recording volumes. Try looking through the settings. Also, I dont know if you Sonar has realtime effects, but you could always put a compressor or limiter on the recording track so it doesn't peak anything on playback. Just some ideas.

Member
Since: Jan 12, 2005


Jan 12, 2005 05:59 pm

thanks for the suggestion. Sonar does have a ton of plug-ins. including a compressor limiter. i have nver used them but i can give them a shot. i think it's not rcording at peak volumes though because it doesn't have this problem when i record the guitar directly to the sound card. only with the mixer. i'll have to read up on some of the other postings on how to use a compressor. that's a new one for me.
thanks

ILLbino - one of WA's finest
Member
Since: Feb 10, 2004


Jan 12, 2005 06:25 pm

I have the behringer 802 mixer as well. Maybe you should try disabling phantom power. What happens when you try using a different channel for your amp? Are your volumes maxed out? What channel do you have your amp hooked up into? I need you to elaborate more because I have your same mixer and I use it to power my mic into the computer.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jan 12, 2005 08:19 pm

First thing to do is set your Input Gain on the mixer so it's not clipping (usually just a single led on the mixer by the knob) with all faders as low as they will go.

Next set your Master output fader to unity 0dB. Now bring up the fader on your Mixer controlling the input the micophone is plugged into till the signal is showing a good level. On the Control panel your record level should be set to 0dB as well or as close as you can get it. Then use the master fader on your Mixer to raise or lower ouput to your soundcard.

If your still experiencing clipping you might be plugged into the mic input of your soundcard which isn't able to take a line-level signal. If thats not the case, I'm outta ideas. :)

Dan

Member
Since: Jan 12, 2005


Jan 13, 2005 10:24 am

I have a mic in each of channels 1 and 2 on the mixer. i didn't use the phantom power (what is it anyway? that's why i didn't turn it on). on channel 1 i'm using a shure SM57 right in front of the amp and on channel 2 i am using a condensor mic for a "room effect". i can try different channels. it never occured to me that there might be a difference. thanks.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 13, 2005 10:28 am

condensor mics require phantom power...it's a power supply for microphones. Turning it on won't damage the SM57, but without it the condensor won't work.

Member
Since: Jan 12, 2005


Jan 13, 2005 10:28 am

Dan,

thanks for you suggestions. i pretty much did the same steps you have, but in a different order. maybe that makes a difference???

i did the fader controlling the mic first.

thanks to everyone for all the help and suggestions. your patience is apprciated.

recording with mics is totally new to me so sorry for all the bonehead questions.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 13, 2005 10:29 am

no boneheaded question, we all learn sometime, somehow, and it's usually by asking questions.

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Jan 13, 2005 02:57 pm

Yes order does make a difference. The Input Gain is the main amplification stage in a mixer, if that is set to low not only will signal to noise ratio be higher, you won't have the proper signal for the rest of the mixer stages. If it's set to high you'll be clipping internally in the mixer. You should set the Input Gain till the led flashes while inputing the loudest sound you expect to record and then back off to where it just flashes occasionally.

Then make the rest of the adjustements to the mixer.

Dan

Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Jan 13, 2005 03:13 pm

Some sound cards have a +4 db setting on their line in.

I know my 1010lt does.


Member
Since: Mar 12, 2005


Sep 24, 2005 07:35 pm

I have the same setup as iillbisszel a behringer 802a and a audiogy sound card. I just went from win 2000 to winXp. Ive done the setup all the setting as before , but now im getting clipping in recording( in xp) . If I set the gain low its muffed, and so on if I set it high it clips. any suggestins on what are good starting levels with win xp recording settings, audiogy settings and most important mixer settings. right now i think there are three or four (4) settings in combination to look at. PC eq settings, sound card settings, and mixer settings.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Sep 24, 2005 08:54 pm

Fender, you will need to start at the input of the mixer and work your way through til guitar tracks pro.

As OD stated, starting at the mixer, get your input channel set up, then start playing, singing or whatever. Set the mixers slider to unity gain, ( usually the 0 marking) next starting with the channel gain know at minimum slowly turn it up until as OD stated you get the red signal light to come on . Make sure you are playing as loud as the loudest parts will be. Then as OD said back it oof just a pinch.

Next you will need to open guitar tracks and then set up a track to record. Now adjust the input level of your Audigy to a level that will give you a good signal in guitar tracks and your all set.

You really shouldnt be getting such huge jumps with only minimum tweaking of the input for the Audigy. But it is not a pro level card so it might be a bit finiky.

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