[Rebeky]

Ok...so I hook it up like it shows in the instructions - with what I think is the correct cord and such. I'm not actually sure what you call it, though. I am using our karoke machine to do this and it's got the place to connect the cable and it seems right. But - when I use it, I can't seem to get it adjusted right for me to get the song transferred with clear sound. It always sounds distorted, fuzzy or something. Does it matter what volume I have the radio on while recording? Any helpful tips? I'm sure I didn't explain right. lol But would appreciate any help about this that you can give me.

[ogdens]

Ok...so I hook it up like it shows in the instructions - with what I think is the correct cord and such. I'm not actually sure what you call it, though. I am using our karoke machine to do this and it's got the place to connect the cable and it seems right. But - when I use it, I can't seem to get it adjusted right for me to get the song transferred with clear sound. It always sounds distorted, fuzzy or something. Does it matter what volume I have the radio on while recording? Any helpful tips? I'm sure I didn't explain right. lol But would appreciate any help about this that you can give me.

What application in EMC are you using?

What input on your sound card are you hooked up to?

[Rebeky]

What application in EMC are you using?

What input on your sound card are you hooked up to?

Application? I'm using the LP and Tape Assistant. Is there another program there that I can try to do this with? I don't know a whole lot about this entire program yet so I'm just curious. : )

I hooked it up to where the mic would normally be hooked up to.

I have the setting as "microphone" - (where is would normally say "line in")

Does the radio and the computer have to have the volume set to a certain place for this to work right or what? I'm pretty confused as to why it might be coming out not so clear here.

This post has been edited by Rebeky: 22 September 2007 - 10:16 AM

[grandpabruce]

Application? I'm using the LP and Tape Assistant. Is there another program there that I can try to do this with? I don't know a whole lot about this entire program yet so I'm just curious. : )

I hooked it up to where the mic would normally be hooked up to.

I have the setting as "microphone" - (where is would normally say "line in")

Does the radio and the computer have to have the volume set to a certain place for this to work right or what? I'm pretty confused as to why it might be coming out not so clear here.

Try connecting it to the Line in on your sound card, then change the settings to Line in on your sound control for recording.

[Rebeky]

Try connecting it to the Line in on your sound card, then change the settings to Line in on your sound control for recording.

Hmmm.....I don't actually know where the Line in on my sound card is. I looked for it, but don't even know what it looks like. Does using that instead of mic require the use of a different cable?

This post has been edited by Rebeky: 22 September 2007 - 10:40 AM

[ogdens]

Application? I'm using the LP and Tape Assistant. Is there another program there that I can try to do this with? I don't know a whole lot about this entire program yet so I'm just curious. : )

I hooked it up to where the mic would normally be hooked up to.

I have the setting as "microphone" - (where is would normally say "line in")

Does the radio and the computer have to have the volume set to a certain place for this to work right or what? I'm pretty confused as to why it might be coming out not so clear here.

There is some useful info on this site http://www.the-predator.com/dell/sec7-9.html

[grandpabruce]

Hmmm.....I don't actually know where the Line in on my sound card is. I looked for it, but don't even know what it looks like. Does using that instead of mic require the use of a different cable?

No, use the same cable that you are using. There should be another jack next to the microphone jack, on your sound card.

[Rebeky]

No, use the same cable that you are using. There should be another jack next to the microphone jack, on your sound card.

The only jack next to the mic one, is one to insert headphones in, but I tried it anyway. I don't get anything from using that one. But those are the only two jacks I see on my computer like that.

[grandpabruce]

The only jack next to the mic one, is one to insert headphones in, but I tried it anyway. I don't get anything from using that one. But those are the only two jacks I see on my computer like that.

Look on the back of your computer, not the front. Look at the manual for your sound card.

[Rebeky]

Look on the back of your computer, not the front. Look at the manual for your sound card.

It seems that I don't have it. These are the ports I have on my laptop. -

• DC-IN
• Headphone jack
• Microphone jack
• RGB (monitor) port
• Modem port
• USB 2.0 ports
• LAN port
• S-video Out port
• i.Link port
• Bridge Media Adapter Slot

I looked in my manual and couldn't find anything about the sound card. *shrug* So I don't know. It looks like the only way I can do this is through the mic jack.

I really appreciate the suggestions and help, though. I hadn't ever thought to look for that before.

[grandpabruce]

It seems that I don't have it. These are the ports I have on my laptop. -

• DC-IN
• Headphone jack
• Microphone jack
• RGB (monitor) port
• Modem port
• USB 2.0 ports
• LAN port
• S-video Out port
• i.Link port
• Bridge Media Adapter Slot

I looked in my manual and couldn't find anything about the sound card. *shrug* So I don't know. It looks like the only way I can do this is through the mic jack.

I really appreciate the suggestions and help, though. I hadn't ever thought to look for that before.

Did you look on the back of the computer?

[Rebeky]

Did you look on the back of the computer?

Yes. I did and I didn't see anyplace to plug the cable into back there. *shrug*

[ogdens]

Yes. I did and I didn't see anyplace to plug the cable into back there. *shrug*

If you must use the mic jack on your laptop, start with a low input and increase it as necessary.

Try lowering the mic input level using the Volume Control settings ,,,,,,Start>All Programs>Accessories>Entertainment>Volume Control. In the volume control click on Options>Properties then select Recording, make sure the Mic is selected, then adjust the controls accordingly.

[Wingwiper]

WHOA! do NOT plug into the Mic input you will burn out your sound card. The Mic in is a very low voltage input as compared to a Line in or Aux in. It is also a MONO input and NOT a stereo input. You need to upgrade your sound card.

[d_deweywright]

WHOA! do NOT plug into the Mic input you will burn out your sound card. The Mic in is a very low voltage input as compared to a Line in or Aux in. It is also a MONO input and NOT a stereo input. You need to upgrade your sound card.

You're unlikely to actually "burn it out", but you'll be overdriving it and causing lots of distortion. And since upgrading on a laptop is not a viable option, I would suggest getting something similar to the ADS Tech Instant Audio USB device. Basically, it's a unit that you would plug your casette deck into, and then that device connects to your laptop via a USB port. The biggest problem with most of the USB devices is that they have no mixer volume controls as part of their driver. So, if you can find one that has a volume control knob right on the unit itself, that would be best.

Good luck!

[Wingwiper]

Dewey


Good advice, didn't catch the laptop...


How would you capture thru the USB as a Music file, other than Midi?

I just googled the product and it is the USBAV-711-EF for $200 that will record thru USB to the audio formats..... interesting. I read the info about it and am still wondering if it firsts saves it all as an Mpeg file and then disects the audio out as a WAV or MP3 after....
I just did more googling, it seems to be able to do the trick. Claims it does ONLY MP3 and WAV and comes with some software. Dewy is right, that seems to be your ticket if you have Laptop Limitations.

Even with a Laptop, he should have UPGRADE Slots. My daughter's NEW Hp has a side slot where she plugs in a TV Tuner Card or an array of other items.


Depending on the Tolerance levels of the parts used on the board, it is very possible to smoke the Mic Input, not per se set the board on Fire.

This post has been edited by Wingwiper: 26 September 2007 - 12:27 PM

[d_deweywright]

Dewey
Good advice, didn't catch the laptop...
How would you capture thru the USB as a Music file, other than Midi?

I just googled the product and it is the USBAV-711-EF for $200 that will record thru USB to the audio formats..... interesting. I read the info about it and am still wondering if it firsts saves it all as an Mpeg file and then disects the audio out as a WAV or MP3 after....
I just did more googling, it seems to be able to do the trick. Claims it does ONLY MP3 and WAV and comes with some software. Dewy is right, that seems to be your ticket if you have Laptop Limitations.

Even with a Laptop, he should have UPGRADE Slots. My daughter's NEW Hp has a side slot where she plugs in a TV Tuner Card or an array of other items.
Depending on the Tolerance levels of the parts used on the board, it is very possible to smoke the Mic Input, not per se set the board on Fire.

I have an ADS Tech Instant Music unit, it's the RDX-150, which is apparently still available, it's about $50. The unit mentioned above is for Video capture too. (I have a similar unit, the USB-702AV.) The RDX-150 captures directly to .WAV, no .MP3 compression in between. It's simply an A/D converter that passes the byte stream in via the USB port.

My laptop (an older Compaq) has no upgrade slots, so something like this is the only way to "upgrade" the audio.

I'm guessing that the original poster is using a Line-Level output from a cassette deck, and yes, it could damage the mic input, but I've never seen a line-level do that. Now, a headphone output... I'd see that as a good possibility if it were turned up.

This post has been edited by d_deweywright: 26 September 2007 - 01:59 PM

[Wingwiper]

I have an ADS Tech Instant Music unit, it's the RDX-150, which is apparently still available, it's about $50. The unit mentioned above is for Video capture too. (I have a similar unit, the USB-702AV.) The RDX-150 captures directly to .WAV, no .MP3 compression in between. It's simply an A/D converter that passes the byte stream in via the USB port.

I didn't see those units at the site I was on, they had cheaper units that seemed to only capture Video and then the only one I saw that did Both was the one I pasted. I can see I still have alot to learn about this computer stuff, only been playing with them since 76 and sometimes I feel I just turned one on for the first time.. Very interesting reading, thanks for the info.

My laptop (an older Compaq) has no upgrade slots, so something like this is the only way to "upgrade" the audio.

I'm guessing that the original poster is using a Line-Level output from a cassette deck, and yes, it could damage the mic input, but I've never seen a line-level do that. Now, a headphone output... I'd see that as a good possibility if it were turned up.

I worked with people, by the hundreds that did some pretty silly things. Over the years I can recall people who had Line Level Outputs plugged directly into Mic Inputs and I am not talking about the AC/DC Portable types, I am talking about Musicians who wanted to add beats etc thru their AMP's Mic INPUTs and after periods of time, fried the Mic Inputs. Chances are rather slim the poster would not have had a problem, but it is best to not start a bad habit, to begin with.
You have some good posts and some very imformative ones. You are a good poster, keep up the good work.

This post has been edited by Wingwiper: 27 September 2007 - 06:09 AM

[d_deweywright]

I didn't see those units at the site I was on, they had cheaper units that seemed to only capture Video and then the only one I saw that did Both was the one I pasted. I can see I still have alot to learn about this computer stuff, only been playing with them since 76 and sometimes I feel I just turned one on for the first time.. Very interesting reading, thanks for the info.

Well, I had to look specifically for my unit... so they don't make them easy to find, by any means!

Guess you've been playing with computers since before I was... I didn't start till '79 or '80, when I was going to college for electronics. And there's way too much stuff to keep up with.

And thanks for you're input too... more voices trying to help is always a good thing on boards like this. (Even if we all don't always agree. )

[Wingwiper]

Guess you've been playing with computers since before I was... I didn't start till '79 or '80, when I was going to college for electronics. And there's way too much stuff to keep up with.

I sold one of the very First computers in the U.S. It was late 76, I had just taken over the Oceanside Ca. Store ( just outside the main gate of Camp Pendleton) and sold a 4K Model One computer for, I think, $1000 and the only thing the guy wanted to do was play Chess (cassette base program) and Gridley (the cannon ball over the castle wall). I sold a Winschester Hard drive in the late 70s or the early 80s. It weighed at least 15 pounds, was about 18 iches by 18 iches by 4 inches and had a key to turn it off and you had to use a TRS-DOS Command WDPARK to park the heads. it was $2495 and was only 5 meg a byte. 5 Friggin Meg, My God we are now in the Tera Byte arena. What a trip to look at an Apple IPOD that has a 60 gig hard drive in it.
Hey! do you remember the program ELIZA? it was an artificail Intellegence Program created by the 4 dudes at Datrtmouth in 64. I use to talk to ELIZA for hours. The cheapest game for computers now is a million times better. Remember STAR TREK where you had 64 Asterisks on the Screen and the Enterprise was represented with a capital E and the Kilgons were Ks and you had to type in commands like Kings Quest. What a trip.

And thanks for you're input too... more voices trying to help is always a good thing on boards like this. (Even if we all don't always agree. )

Not agreeing is when I am learning the most.

This post has been edited by Wingwiper: 27 September 2007 - 02:24 PM