Does this sound right to you?

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:33 pm

Ok, I'm recording some music, with me plugged into the Line in port on my PC. (built in sound card with the mobo) To me, the rhythm guitar doesn't sound right. It sounds like there is a sort of a distortion on it, but there isn't. Is this what clipping is?

The song is Solo over Louie Louie. Its the 2nd instrument that comes in.

http://www.purevolume.com/JoeAndHisGuitar

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:44 pm

Wouldn't doubt if that's my exact problem too. Help us!

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:46 pm

It's probably clipping. Lower the source device's volume.

EDIT

ghosstt wrote:In audacity, is there a way to visually see clipping? Is it when the visual EQ thing goes off the bar its on? (if that makes sense )

It's clipping if the red "light" at the end of the recording bar gets filled with red, or if the waveform maxes out and the top and bottom look square.

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:53 pm

Kurt_ wrote:Wouldn't doubt if that's my exact problem too. Help us!

Well, mine doesn't sound muddy. And this isn't the first time I've recorded, so it's just a temp. problem.

It's probably clipping. Lower the source device's volume.

In audacity, is there a way to visually see clipping? Is it when the visual EQ thing goes off the bar its on? (if that makes sense

)

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:04 pm

Yeah, well I was just thinking that I play insanely loud, and record equally loud. It may have something to do with it. Red bar, you say?

If I just set the mic volume in audacity down, is that the same thing as lowering the volume on the effects pedal?

Post by **bicostp** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:08 pm

Either will work, but it would probably be easier to turn the effects pedal down.

Just try stuff. The worst thing that can happen is you don't get the result you want and undo your most recent change to try something else.

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:09 pm

Kurt_ wrote:Yeah, well I was just thinking that I play insanely loud, and record equally loud. It may have something to do with it. Red bar, you say?

If I just set the mic volume in audacity down, is that the same thing as lowering the volume on the effects pedal?

It's basically a volume limiter. So yes it does. But how are you running it?

guitar-->effects pedal--->Amp--->(amp out)--->Line In

or

guitar--->effects pedal--->line in

If its form1, then turn it down only on your effects and amp. If its way 2, then do it a bit on a the guitar, the pedal, and in Audacity.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:57 pm

Looking at the .aup, I realize that the red bar is...erm... ALWAYS red. That's at least part of my problem!

I hope I don't get a lot of buzz with all the cables it's running through (think 50 feet). Maybe I should invest in some 10 foot cables. Or MAKE some!

Speaker Wire + connectors?

I am running it as follows:

Code: Select all

Guitar => Input on => Output on GT-6: Left (Mono) => Line In
             GT-6  => Output on GT-6: Right = > Amp

For an idea of what I'm talking about:
http://namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM01 ... -large.jpg

Aguiluz · Post by **Aguiluz** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:57 pm

Try turning down your input level.

1. Go to control panel.
2. Open "Sound."
3. Click the "Recording" tab.
4. Click "Line In."
5. A new window pops up.
6. Then go to "Levels."
7. Set the slider to, like, 36%.
8. Click OK. Then click OK again.
9. Then start recording in Audacity.
10. Still clips? Lower it down more.

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:59 pm

Aguiluz wrote:Try turning down your input level.

1. Go to control panel.
2. Open "Sound."
3. Click the "Recording" tab.
4. Click "Line In."
5. A new window pops up.
6. Then go to "Levels."
7. Set the slider to, like, 36%.
8. Click OK. Then click OK again.
9. Then start recording in Audacity.
10. Still clips? Lower it down more.

You can do that from audacity.

bicostp: Which bars are you talking about. I have a bar that is always red for recording, and when I playback, there is the green bar to the right of it.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:03 pm

tyromaniac · Post by **tyromaniac** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:31 pm

is it flanger that I'm hearing? that or it could be the cord you're using. I was using a usb cable for my piano and it sounded like crap. Yours does not sound like crap. Luckily my kit came with a jack that allowed me to connect it directly to mic in. if it's usb, it could be bandwidth.

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 7:59 pm

Play it a little faster. I'm digging how the solo sounds though. Distortion and all.

ghosstt · Post by **ghosstt** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:30 pm

Kurt_ wrote:Play it a little faster. I'm digging how the solo sounds though. Distortion and all.

There is no distortion. Thats the directly from my Guitar to the Line-In. (you are talking about the louie louie solo right?) I plan on doing a full blown recording soon, with me on all instruments. (All my band members equipment are here, so I'll just use em

)

Kurt_ · Post by **Kurt_** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 8:36 pm

A note on recording over yourself: record to a metronome, at the very least.

I find computerized drums, even if you don't plan on keeping them, are a better way to keep the beat with yourself going.