I’ve been doing some recording on the computer. My problem is that my hardware and software are lousy (mayhaps my playing is too).
Can anyone listen to this wav</a](http://free.gentle.org/users/gospelhymns/illarise.wav">wav</a)> I made, and tell me if it is too staticky? It may be necessary to turn the volume up. If anyone can download it and improve it (or even change its format) it would be of help to me. I’m using an outdated computer with no resources.
I downloaded the wav, but could barely hear the whistle. Maybe you need to turn your input up?
I’ve found some succes by putting the microphone in the end of the whistle. But I’m too tired to continue recording tonight.
Walden
Walden is blue at one time and green at another, even from the same point of view. Lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the color of both. —Thoreau
[ This Message was edited by: Walden on 2002-07-04 20:21 ]
Walden,
It sounds like your microphone is too low and the line noise is too high. I increased the volume 300% and converted it into an MP3. Click the address to hear it.
http://www.angar.net/walden/ILLARISE2.mp3
What came through sounded good, it just needs more mic gain to get over the noise.
I managed to make a recording that is slightly louder: http://free.gentle.org/users/gospelhymns/illarise.wav
What are you using to record? Is it Windows, Mac, or what? Do you have a mixer control?
Windows Sound Recorder.
Walden, this is a pretty common problem so don’t feel bad. Computer circuitry emits a lot of RF so the environment inside a computer case is pretty hostile to low level analog signals like a that from a microphone - some computers are worse than others.
My suggestion would be to get a microphone that has a line-level output (or use a pre-amp with your existing mic) so that you can plug it into the “line-in” jack rather than the “mic-in” jack. Line level voltage is much higher than the mic-in voltage so it is less susceptible to contamination by RF. I’ve seen computers that sounded like crap if you tried to record through the mic input but were fine once the line level input was used.
Also, get some decent audio software - I’ve begun using Audacity which is FREE and has a noise removal feature which is most useful for getting rid of line noise. See http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
You may also want to search the archives - this topic has been covered quite thoroughly several times before. Best of luck 
First off, I apologize in advance if any of this is too simple or obvious.
One question – do you know what your “Line-In” level is? On your task bar, there should be a little speaker icon. Double-click on that, and you’ll get the mixer control. The third control from the left is the “Line-In” control. There’s a slider that controls the volume (and a “mute” check box). Adjust accordingly.
Also – and this sounds really obvious – do you have the mike in the right input on your sound card? I’ve gotten recordings like this when I’ve had the mike in the wrong input. Happens to everybody.
If none of these things are the solution, feel free to write me; I’d be happy to work this out via e-mail.
Walden,
If you have a little yellow speaker icon in the lower right corner, right click on it and open it. Make sure the slider for the input you use is up & try again.
What microphone and sound card do you have?
On 7/4/02 I picked up a Behringer MX602A for $69 from Guitar Center. (Bad place, great prices.)It has 6 mic/line inputs, line level outputs, 3 band individual EQ, pan, level indicators. I use it for recording on a PC with a Sound Blaster sound card and it works great. I also picked up a Shure SM57 mic w/cable. The whole thing was $150, out the door.
Yes, per the above post, going into the line input will give you lower noise and better quality.
Good luck,
Gary
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I was able to record a new Mp3, that I think sounds better. http://free.gentle.org/users/gospelhymns/wayfaring.mp3 It’s approx 884K.
Tony wrote:
I increased the volume 300% and converted it into an MP3. Click the address to hear it.
http://www.angar.net/walden/ILLARISE2.mp3
Thank you for the MP3 adaptations, it made the staticky recording better.
Also, get some decent audio software - I’ve begun using Audacity which is FREE and has a noise removal feature which is most useful for getting rid of line noise. See > http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
That was good advice. I downloaded Audacity, and was able to get a better recording.
Walden
Walden is blue at one time and green at another, even from the same point of view. Lying between the earth and the heavens, it partakes of the color of both. —Thoreau
[ This Message was edited by: Walden on 2002-07-05 13:11 ]
On 2002-07-05 10:18, douga wrote:
[snipFirst off, I apologize in advance if any of this is too simple or obvious[snip
Its good advice to never overlook the obvious. Actually, when troubleshooting a problem you should start with the obvious 
I’m glad you were able to record on your computer. (I finally gave up with mine and
will have to go another more expensive route).
Your recording sounded very nice; way COOOOOL! You will have to do more of them.
Lolly