Help please
Hi Guys,
This is not an n bug.
I have a strange problem that I had before but this time I cannot cure it. I had the issue before with 3.3 and now it’s the same with 6 so I’m sure it’s not an n problem.
When I’m recording vox the meters are nowhere near clipping, but the input is definitely being limited by something. No matter if you scream in the mike you cannot hit the red on the meter. The end result is that the waveform is flattened out and there is distortion on the vox.
I have a soundblaster 5.1 card (which has worked fine for a couple of years) and have uninstalled and re-installed the software, which seemed to work before, but no luck this time. Any ideas?
This is my 1st attempt to record for months and it’s driving me nuts!!
Thanks…Ian
Hi Bruffie, right click the record meter and check the settings on "clip"
Also try restoring default settings.
Can you record with any other program - check the MS Sound Recorder ( Programs > Assesories>Entertainemt) and see if you get a signal there.
Does the mic work - can you try it out on a PA system or someone elses mixer?
Ian,
You’re running that SB card at 16/48 right?
D
Check the playback or record volumes in the Windows Audio Mixer, in the Windows Control Panel. I’m willing to bet the volume in there is down.
Quote: (phoo @ Feb. 04 2009, 8:38 AM)
Check the playback or record volumes in the Windows Audio Mixer, in the Windows Control Panel. I'm willing to bet the volume in there is down.
Doh! I bet phoo has nailed it...
The symptoms are there...D
Thanks! But no luck guys! Checked all that. To be honest, I’ve been using it with the current setup for 5 years without any issues (except this one). In that time I’ve never played around with the windows settings. But , I’ve checked them now and all ok.
Back to the tried and tested of switching everything one-by-one 'til I find it,
Cheers,
Ian
P.S. Have the nagging feeling that I’ve missed something stoopid:)
the soft clipping limiter os on by default on both input and output channels - have you done a rightclick in the input VU meter - clip - untick -
M.R.
Ian is there a different mixer window for the SB live (from their software)? The gains could be over driven there.
Bruffie - you say your vox recording doesn’t get to the red line.
To me this means not enough gain.
What is your signal path?
mic -> pre amp -> soundcard ?
Sound Blaster and other cards have a +20db boost in the record option
under the “Advanced” tab. Make sure that is checked.
Also are you using a compressor with a setting that may be cutting the gain?
Try a clean signal path of mic -> pre amp -> record interface with nothing else.
Also try taking the output of a wav file of known signal level, and loop it
back into the mic input, - turn down the mic input on the PLAYBACK menu,
and see if you can adjust the RECORD mic slider to achieve a high (even clipped)
level.
Thanks Guys!
I have a temporary fix by basically un-installing and re-installing the SB software from scratch. It worked at the 3rd attempt when I re-installed the whole program instead of just the drivers. I’ve had this glitch before and although it’s great that it’s gone away for now, it still means I don’t know the root cause for future reference.
Love your new logo by the way!
Welcome to the world of creative drivers. 
Quote: (Poppa Willis @ Feb. 06 2009, 10:39 PM)
Love your new logo by the way!
You can call me 'symbol'
Quote: (phoo @ Feb. 07 2009, 1:20 AM)
Welcome to the world of creative drivers.
Yep, found out the hard way with my E-Mu card (Creative owns them too) that you have to be very particular in the installation procedure. Never let Windows install a driver!
Quote:
You can call me 'symbol'
You can call me 'AL'.