Will I ever be able to fix the distortion?

[cbrook]

I've been trying to get Record Now 9 Music Lab up and running to digitize some cassettes using the LP and Tape Assistant.

 

The basics:

I'm running an Dell Inspiron 8900 laptop running Windows XP. I don't know what sound card I have but the driver is a Sigma Tel C-Major (Can anyone tell me how to find out system specs, like sound card specs etc.?)

 

After some digging I discovered the run time patch (yey!)

 

I've been able to record some, but have ugly distortion. I've tried both the microphone input and the stereo mix input. Using the microphone input the sound coming in is too loud and I can't get the recording level down into the proper range. Resulting recording is correspondingly distorted. Using the stereo mix input the signal is too low and again I can not get it into the correct range. Listening very carefully I think I can hear it with the same distortion as the too loud recording.

 

I've tried the following based on recommendations here -

Checked and uploaded latest driver.

Backed off the music accelerator

 

My questions. Am I doomed because I am using a laptop with a chip? if so why doesn't Roxio on their system specs state that the product is unsuitable for laptops?

 

If I get a pre amp and use the stereo mix setting do I have a chance?

 

I'm new to this so if you recommend checking a setting will you please tell me how to find it. The tutorials are woefully lacking and only cover 1/4 of the features.

[ogdens]

Here is the data on my "card"

 

Sound Devices

-------------

Description: SigmaTel Audio

Default Sound Playback: Yes

Default Voice Playback: Yes

Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_016A1028&REV_01

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Type: WDM

Driver Name: STAC97.sys

Driver Version: 5.10.3952.0000 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

WHQL Logo'd: n/a

Date and Size: 11/15/2004 15:37:52, 264440 bytes

Other Files:

Driver Provider: SigmaTel

HW Accel Level: Standard

Cap Flags: 0x0

Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0

Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0

HW Memory: 0

Voice Management: No

EAX™ 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No

I3DL2™ Listen/Src: No, No

Sensaura™ ZoomFX™: No

Registry: OK

Sound Test Result: Not run

 

---------------------

Sound Capture Devices

---------------------

Description: SigmaTel Audio

Default Sound Capture: Yes

Default Voice Capture: Yes

Driver Name: STAC97.sys

Driver Version: 5.10.3952.0000 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Date and Size: 11/15/2004 15:37:52, 264440 bytes

Cap Flags: 0x0

Format Flags: 0x0

 

I also attempted to adjust the acceleration there as well and did not fix the problem.

 

Have you played with the Record settings in the Windows Volume Controls to control the input levels.

 

See if anything in here is of help http://www.ekhoury.com/2006/08/25/sigmatel...port-for-dells/

[gaper1]

go to Start -> Run -> type: dxdiag. click on the Sound tab then you will find your device.

 

Do you know if it is an onboard sound card?

[cbrook]

Apparently things have changed since those instructions were written. Four drivers are found on the search. I eliminated one because it was for Vista. A second was not supported by my hardware. 3 and 4 will have to wait till I can borrow a faster connection. (#3 failed in download #4 is nearly double the size)

 

So far no joy in mudville.

[cbrook]

I'm assuming it is onboard, as I have nothing attached to the laptop.

 

I'm currently at work without the machine so I will check for the device when I get home. Thank you for the instructions.

[cbrook]

Here is the data on my "card"

 

Sound Devices

-------------

Description: SigmaTel Audio

Default Sound Playback: Yes

Default Voice Playback: Yes

Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_016A1028&REV_01

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Type: WDM

Driver Name: STAC97.sys

Driver Version: 5.10.3952.0000 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

WHQL Logo'd: n/a

Date and Size: 11/15/2004 15:37:52, 264440 bytes

Other Files:

Driver Provider: SigmaTel

HW Accel Level: Standard

Cap Flags: 0x0

Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0

Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0

HW Memory: 0

Voice Management: No

EAX 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No

I3DL2 Listen/Src: No, No

Sensaura ZoomFX: No

Registry: OK

Sound Test Result: Not run

 

---------------------

Sound Capture Devices

---------------------

Description: SigmaTel Audio

Default Sound Capture: Yes

Default Voice Capture: Yes

Driver Name: STAC97.sys

Driver Version: 5.10.3952.0000 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Date and Size: 11/15/2004 15:37:52, 264440 bytes

Cap Flags: 0x0

Format Flags: 0x0

 

I also attempted to adjust the acceleration there as well and did not fix the problem.