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[mike68]

How can i 'reduce the volume of my audio source' when i am using a cable link from my tape output direct to my soundcard?
The volume cannot be adjusted by the amp because that is only the listening volume.
I have been into my computers audio properties and lowered the volume on line-in level but am still getting the message to reduce volume when i use the auto recording volume?
Any ideas anyone? iv'e been at this for ages trying to get the record level correct TAS.

[JimH]

> The volume cannot be adjusted by the amp because that is only the listening volume

??  Are you sure of this?  Did you try setting it way down?

Radio Shack might have something for this.

You could also try recording direct from the tape player.

If you're going into "mic in", check the advanced setting on Windows volume control for it.

[Markeaux]

Are you sure you are adjusting the Windows Recording volume?  That is separate than Playback volume.  It's in Volume Control > Options > Properties > Recording  ... it would have been nice if MS would have included the words "Playback" or "Recording" in the Volume Control Title Bar so you know what is being displayed.

[BigMike]

Unless one already exist I don't know about, a good idea for a plug-in would be an audio processor for recording from vinyl and tape. Could include a pop/scratch filter, a rumble filter, a hiss filter, and some basic eq controls. If I knew how how write plugins I would be doing it, since I have a lot of vinyl I would like to record into mp3's.

[Charlemagne 8]

[sharkee]

>How can i 'reduce the volume of my audio source' when i am using a cable link from my tape output direct to my soundcard?

Tape output is a line level output, so you should be connecting to a line in. on your sound card.  The mic input is usually for MUCH lower level signal than your tape out!!

On my Windows 98SE, here is what works to control volume of recording:

Right click speaker  icon.
Left Click 'open volume controls'.
On the Options menu, click 'Properties'.
Then click on 'Adjust volume for 'Recording''.
Then in the 'Show the following volume controls list box', check 'Line-In'.
Left Click OK.
The Recording Control Window should appear with a Line-In Volume slider control.
Also, if there is an 'Advanced button', you can click on that and look for a |PLS|- 10/20 db control.

JimH suggestiog of a Radio Shack thingee, would only be needed if your sound card only had a mic input (sometimes a laptop provides no line-in connection).  The thingee could be used to attenuate the line level provided by your tape out so as to not overwhelm the mic input of your sound card.

Please report back if any of this works.

This is all because Bill Gates' high school teacher scolded him for  clicking when chewing gum, and puting periods in the middle of words.

[mike68]

Thanks for your advice everyone , but i have already gone into Recording Volume control and done as Sharkee suggested and i am using the Line-in not a mic input on my soundcard.Maybee i will have to run the signal through my tape deck and adjust it that way which isn't ideal.
Do you think the Recording Balance volume may have something to do with it?I cannot adjust this for some reason as the volume 'handle' is greyed out.This does show the sound 'peaking' into red when the source is playing.

[harry]

Strange.  Your 'tape output' may be low impedance. The usual line out is high impedance. Professional grade equipment sometimes uses low impedance outputs (for very long cable runs), while consumer grade equipment, and sound card line inputs are high impedance.  What is the make and model number of the device?

I have had good luck with the Radio Shack catalog number 42-2152, an attenuating audio cable six feet long with 1/8 inch phono plugs at both ends, which sells in the US for $3.49 each. You can use any necessary adapter/gender changes on either end.

[JohnT]

My guess is that either Harry is right, you've got an impedance matching problem, or there is a bug in the sound card driver.

When I was creating the "auto volume setting", I notice that with one particular sound card, if the recording volume was adjusted below a certain threshold (about 7%) by the program, the actual volume suddenly shot up to 100%. But if I manually adjusted the volume it would work fine below the 7% threshold. I created a work-around that detected where this threshold was and set the volume just above it. What volume percentage do you end up with after the "auto volume" test is complete? Try manually moving the volume slider in MJ's recording settings screen slightly higher (counter-intuitive) and then try recording to see how it sounds.

- John T.
JRiver,  Inc.