Hello,

I have a problem when transferring analogue music to my pc.
Very often the recording is clipped, even though the recording level is below limit.
I'm using the tape-out cinch on my preamp, and the blue cinch on pc.

Recording with Audacity, screenshot:

[ibb.co]



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 2019-07-13 21:24 by Rank Stranger.

Please explain more. From the photo you posted it does not look clipped. Why do you think it’s clipped?

Here the screenshot from Audacity is enlarged step by step, hope it helps:

[ibb.co]

[ibb.co]

[ibb.co]


Looks like an overload?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-07-14 18:59 by Rank Stranger.

Are you using Windows 10?
Then you should probably reduce the recording volume of Windows (not of Audacity).

Assuming you have a German Windows.
Open "Einstellungen", then "Sound".
Scroll down and click on "Sound-Systemsteuerung"
In the new window go on the tab "Aufnahme"
Select your recording device.
Go on the tab "Pegel" and reduce the "Pegel" here.

For earlier Windows versions it works similar.

This is a case of audio limiting. Read this tutorial, [manual.audacityteam.org], then try again. Awaiting your feedback.

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Ritchy
This is a case of audio limiting. Read this tutorial, [manual.audacityteam.org], then try again. Awaiting your feedback.

Thanks; but I don't think it is an Audacity problem.
Get about the same result using a different recording tool...

Quote
midnrambler
Are you using Windows 10?
Then you should probably reduce the recording volume of Windows (not of Audacity).

Assuming you have a German Windows.
Open "Einstellungen", then "Sound".
Scroll down and click on "Sound-Systemsteuerung"
In the new window go on the tab "Aufnahme"
Select your recording device.
Go on the tab "Pegel" and reduce the "Pegel" here.

For earlier Windows versions it works similar.

Thanks. Yes Windows 10. ( German )

When I first startet complaining here, I recorded at level 48.

Reduced it to 18, still some clipping:

[ibb.co]

Reduced to 12 less, but still:

[ibb.co]

and don't I lose much of the dynamics, recording at such low level like 12:

[ibb.co]

I have a sneaking suspicion it is a problem with the soundcart,
might get too much electrical voltage?!

Really miss my Tascam CD-recorder, unfortunately it couldn't be repaired, no spare parts...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-07-14 21:50 by Rank Stranger.

Quote
Rank Stranger
Get about the same result using a different recording tool...

You mean a different wave editor!? Then it sounds like a hardware issue.

- What is the brand name and model name of your internal soundcard?
- Have you tried recording from another source (tape)?
- Do you have another PC?
- Do you have an external USB audio interface (soundcard)?
- Do you have a solid state digital recorder?

Do you have Windows 10? Watch this guide, "How to Fix Sound or Audio Problems on Windows 10": [www.youtube.com]

Once again, this is about limiting, not about clipping or recording levels!

Check the guide, a driver update could be the answer.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2019-07-14 22:18 by Ritchy.

Quote
Ritchy

Quote
Rank Stranger
Get about the same result using a different recording tool...

You mean a different wave editor!? Then it sounds like a hardware issue.

- What is the brand name and model name of your internal soundcard?
- Have you tried recording from another source (tape)?
- Do you have another PC?
- Do you have an external USB audio interface (soundcard)?
- Do you have a solid state digital recorder?

Recording with Audiograbber gives about nearly the same results...
Recording from tape = Revox B77, and the results are even worse,
because the Revox has a higher output signal...
Soundcard internal: Realtek High Definition Audio

I'm not sure what you mean by solid state digital recorder!?

I had a Tascam CD-RW402 V3, that was great! But as stated, no more spare parts...

The youtube video might br too complicated for me, at least this evening.
I will look at it again tomorrow.

But still thanks!

You've got the recording guide, you've got the toubleshooting guide and you've even got the name of the problem, unwanted automatic limiting when recording.

The very last piece of advice from me should be...buy a solid state digital recorder, check out what to choose: [www.thomann.de]

Well, I couldn't leave you like that…

I think I would concentrate on "Tutorial - Selecting Your Recording Device": [manual.audacityteam.org]

The section with 'Choose your preferred Audio Host' is maybe very important in your case. Do test recordings with each of the three(?) audio interfaces, MME, Windows DirectSound and Windows WASAPI.

(By the way, I don't use Audacity, not even installed, I have higher ambitions)

Which is the "Aufnahmegerät" (recording device) you have selected in the Sound-Systemsteuerung. On my PC I can only see microphones which usually deliver a much lower output voltage and therefore need much more amplification than a line in signal. I cannot select a line in at the moment, don't know why.

Quote
Rank_Stranger
I have a sneaking suspicion it is a problem with the soundcart, might get too much electrical voltage?!
....
Recording from tape = Revox B77, and the results are even worse, because the Revox has a higher output signal...

I think you have the answer there mate. It sounds like you are overloading the input to the soundcard, and if so, then no amount of adjustment in software is going to help.

You will need to attenuate the signal somehow.

PS.

Quote
midnrambler
On my PC I can only see microphones which usually deliver a much lower output voltage and therefore need much more amplification than a line in signal. I cannot select a line in at the moment, don't know why.

The line-in probably won't show up if you don't have anything plugged into it.

Quote
midnrambler
Which is the "Aufnahmegerät" (recording device) you have selected in the Sound-Systemsteuerung. On my PC I can only see microphones which usually deliver a much lower output voltage and therefore need much more amplification than a line in signal. I cannot select a line in at the moment, don't know why.

Line-in:

[ibb.co]

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JimmyShelter
I think you have the answer there mate. It sounds like you are overloading the input to the soundcard, and if so, then no amount of adjustment in software is going to help.

You will need to attenuate the signal somehow.

Do you think it might make sense to get a good sound card?

Quote
Rank Stranger

Quote
JimmyShelter
I think you have the answer there mate. It sounds like you are overloading the input to the soundcard, and if so, then no amount of adjustment in software is going to help.

You will need to attenuate the signal somehow.

Do you think it might make sense to get a good sound card?

I think when it comes to analogue/digital conversion then as good a sound card as you can afford is probably a good idea.

But if it is a case of overloading the input then I don't think it would help with that. I would expect all of them to be pretty much the same in that respect. It is probably the case that the devices you are using where never intended to match a computer sound card and vice versa.

You might be able to get a simple mixer that would reduce the signal level.

can you solder? All you really need is a dual gang 10k linear potentiometer.
A variable resistor in other words:

amazon.co.uk

Stick it in a box, cut a jack lead in half, wire it up and adjust it.

The other thing that comes to mind - although it's a bit late for what you have already recorded - is that the signal didn't look as if it was very heavily clipped, try recording at a lower level (in the recorder, not audacity) and you will probably get away with it without any clipping. The mismatch is probably not that great.

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JimmyShelter
can you solder?

Nope!

Still thanks for all your help.

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Rank Stranger
Hello,

I have a problem when transferring analogue music to my pc.
Very often the recording is clipped, even though the recording level is below limit.
I'm using the tape-out cinch on my preamp, and the blue cinch on pc.

Recording with Audacity, screenshot:

[ibb.co]

I don't know how to help you.
The signal is overloaded somewhere.


Try the pink 3.5 jack entry on your computer and reduce entry level with the software you use.

If it does not work, try reduce the output level by inserting an analog EQ between your preamp and your computer. Set the EQ flat and reduce the main output level.

Have you tried with a another classic amp/preamp ?

How's your testing going?

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Rank Stranger

Quote
JimmyShelter
can you solder?

Nope!

Still thanks for all your help.

Well that saves me drawing you a diagram

Hope you can find a way to sort it mate.

Thanks again for all your help;
still trying out some suggestions.

If all else fails I often throw things at a wall, it never helps but it does make me feel better - until I realise what I've done anyway

DISCLAIMER: this is NOT a suggestion - don't try this at home!

Which reminds me of a true story (seriously).

My mate Rob had lost the plot when his stereo wouldn't work, in a fit of anger he threw one of the speakers across the room. At that moment another mate of his walked into the room, he picked up the stereo and threw it at the wall, it smashed into pieces. Rob glared at him and shouted "what are you ***** doing?", the other lad, realising what he had done, apologised, "Sorry Rob, I thought you must be getting rid of it".

LOL