EvoRider Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hello my problem is i am trying to record onto my laptop thru my pa system. the problem is when i do so it plays back really distorted. My pa has a RCA jack for recording i bought a cord that converted from RCA plugs to i think 1/8 th stereo jack and i pluged it in my laptops mic in.... what am i doing wrong? It records but like i said it plays back really distorted sounding.... The laptop i am useing is an older sony and the pa system is a SHS international SX-300-D8 powered mixer.. And the mic is a copy of a sure sm57.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hello my problem is i am trying to record onto my laptop thru my pa system. the problem is when i do so it plays back really distorted. My pa has a RCA jack for recording i bought a cord that converted from RCA plugs to i think 1/8 th stereo jack and i pluged it in my laptops mic in.... what am i doing wrong? It records but like i said it plays back really distorted sounding.... The laptop i am useing is an older sony and the pa system is a SHS international SX-300-D8 powered mixer.. And the mic is a copy of a sure sm57.. Distortion means your signal is too hot somewhere. Check that you are not overloading the PA head and then look at the levels on your laptop. Not sure what program you are using to record, but it should have a meter of some type. You want to be tickling just below red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L5Larry Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 The RCA jack on your PA sends a "Line Level" output signal. The jack on your laptop is a "Mic Level" input. A "Line Level" output is amplified, "Mic Level" is the unamplified type signal that come directly out of a microphone. These two types of signals are generally incompatible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoRider Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 The RCA jack on your PA sends a "Line Level" output signal. The jack on your laptop is a "Mic Level" input. A "Line Level" output is amplified, "Mic Level" is the unamplified type signal that come directly out of a microphone. These two types of signals are generally incompatible. What will i have to do?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoRider Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Distortion means your signal is too hot somewhere. Check that you are not overloading the PA head and then look at the levels on your laptop. Not sure what program you are using to record, but it should have a meter of some type. You want to be tickling just below red. i am only useing the program that is on the computer... Do i need to find some kind of special program for recording on a computer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsburger Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 i am only useing the program that is on the computer... Do i need to find some kind of special program for recording on a computer? The issue is not software, it's hardware, your best bet would be to buy and external USB sound device that has a line in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 What will i have to do?? What do you mean by "older computer" ???? Check out REAPER software.....Online.....It's basically free......And, you'll want an "interface" as well...... If all you want is basic recording capabilities, I can recommend very inexpensive ones for you........Also, what are you trying to record ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVOL! Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 i am only useing the program that is on the computer... Do i need to find some kind of special program for recording on a computer? I've never done *any* audio work on a Windows machine, much less a Windows laptop so I don't know if you need a sound card or something else. Doesn't the audio application have a meter so you can monitor input levels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 I've done functionally what you're doing, albeit with an AE amp and a desktop. If I used my line out on the PA - which is not in the guitar-pickin' room - I'd do functionally the same thing. The line out can go into a USB converter that doesn't necessarily have to be expensive if you're doing it for fun and practice feedback. Your recording software should have a menu item, possibly buried a bit under inputs, to "mentally" plug into the USB instead of the microphone "in" on the sound card. Then it's a matter of just letting the music fly. I use an inexpensive free set of software that works quite well if you don't mind diddling a bit to get it to save in an MP3 file. You'll probably have to look in the directions to see how to go to another web site and download and install a "LAME" plug-in for that. You will see that on the download page. The reason why you'd need the LAME plugin has to do with copyrights and stuff to record in MP3. I'd recommend the older Audacity 1.2.6 rather than the newer beta version if you're still using WinXP. I've had some difficulty with the newer version doing a clean save with the newer version that does have a few more bells and whistles. (There's a workaround I've used with some other software, but... naah...) http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ I've had supposedly "better" commercial programs and never used them. OTOH, if you want to have a more "pro" sound, there are good reasons to have more high quality input hardware with true stereo, better mixing and effect software, etc., etc. There are guys who know a lot more than I do who might help. My younger bro who is an AV pro with Microsoft, and a picker/keyboarder himself, sez he doesn't see any reason for me to get any fancier than what I have. But for just doing practice sessions and such? Including decent wiring from the line-out on the amp including a stereo splitter to run into the USB interface dealiebob, and software, it cost me well, well under $100 some years ago. I bought a USB interface that also would let me record from a turntable, tapes or CDs. Again, it ain't pro quality, but at my age... I think it's about as good as I'm going to hear from cheapie computer speakers. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 I've never done *any* audio work on a Windows machine, much less a Windows laptop so I don't know if you need a sound card or something else. Doesn't the audio application have a meter so you can monitor input levels? All computers (well, today's) come with some kind of sound card.....Windows 7 is fine for recording these days.....Many mid and top level studios run on Windows 7..........Sure, APPLE is preffered, but Windows is fine............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoRider Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 All computers (well, today's) come with some kind of sound card.....Windows 7 is fine for recording these days.....Many mid and top level studios run on Windows 7..........Sure, APPLE is preffered, but Windows is fine............ my laptop is a sony viao. Yes it has a sound card. I just basicly dont know what i am doing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoRider Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 The issue is not software, it's hardware, your best bet would be to buy and external USB sound device that has a line in. What is this and were do i get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoRider Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 What do you mean by "older computer" ???? Check out REAPER software.....Online.....It's basically free......And, you'll want an "interface" as well...... If all you want is basic recording capabilities, I can recommend very inexpensive ones for you........Also, what are you trying to record ???? What is a interface? sorry but i am computer stupid... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsburger Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Google is your friend :) http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=usb+sound+card&meta=#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&source=hp&q=usb+sound+interface&pbx=1&oq=usb+sound+interface&aq=f&aqi=g2g-v2&aql=1&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=7092l8531l0l8725l9l5l0l4l4l0l216l839l0.3.2l9l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=2f11afa83fc09b8b&biw=1280&bih=909 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 "Audacity" is free software that is used in the recording process.....Google it, and you simply download it...... It will work with your computer......If you get any of the Music Porn mag catalogs like Musician's Friend, Sweetwater, etc, read up on the interfaces they sell.....Even if the specs make no sense, that's OK, you'll need to learn what they mean at some point......Plan on spending at least $60.00.........(not bad, huh ??)....On up to $10,000.00 bucks :blink: ...... The interface will act as the "go between" from your guitar / mike to your computer......Many interfaces come with "light" versions of recording software.......Audacity will get you started....Then, or actually now, read up on REAPER recording software......Once you're ready for it, it's free ( you can buy a licence )......Depending on your computer skills, it may all come quickly to you, or a bit slower.....:o ....You have guitars, and amps, and talent ........... I'll PM you my e-mail, and I'll help you with the basics...... ............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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