Question for Any Audacity Users

[afuller5]

Hi all,

I was trying to use Audacity software to record my Roland organ. I used the audio outputs of the organ into the stereo mic input of my laptop. However, the volume would drop low and then come back to normal. I could see this on the wave form. There were also some distortion issues. I also tried recording my Yamaha S910 arranger keyboard with the same result.

I will add that I am using a Lenova G560 laptop. The only audio input is a mic input. It could be that this input does not handle the stereo signal well.

Does any on have any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Allen

Edit: I checked the microphone input, it is stereo which should be fine. Also, I did some more experimentation. With the flute voices (not classical or theatre), the recording is fine. With other sounds like pipe organ voices, it exhibits the drop in volume. I was using pipe organ voices for a recording of "Be Still My Soul" (the tune Finlandia). I also noticed the volume drop with string ensemble sounds.

[Jan Girardot]

How much memory in your laptop? When we got our new used iMac, I stuffed it to the brim with RAM chips. I haven't tried a keyboard into the stereo inputs and then into Audacity, but have no problems with disc turntables, CD players and cassette players.

. . . Jan

[myorgan]

Allen,

My guess is that your audio outputs are higher power than your laptop can handle (powered outputs). That's probably why you get distortion. Anytime the recording "flatlines" on top and bottom, you have distortion. Even if you normalize it afterward, it's just normalizing the distortion, and there is no way to remove it other than re-recording your piece.

I use a mixer between the organ and laptop, and use line out (Control Room Out) to go to the computer microphone. Then I normalize the recording once it is complete.

Hope this helps.

Michael

[abang]

You can't use the line out from the organ to the microphone in. There's an impedance mismatch between the two.

Line in will usually be stereo and about 10Kohm impedance.

Mic in is about 600-1Kohm impedance and expecting SIGNIFICANTLY lower levels than the line, as it has a preamp to pick up the very low levels present in a microphone.

[John Kinkennon]

If the laptop's microphone input can't deal with the higher input levels then one possibility would be the addition of an inexpensive USB audio interface such as the Behringer UCA202 at $30 or perhaps a few dollars more. I thought of suggesting a DI box or something as simple as a pair of inline attenuators, but you'd end up paying just as much for those I suppose.

There are some really nice audio interfaces available at significantly higher prices, but I'd suspect the Behringer would be a quick fix.

[andyg]

Yup, that's the problem and solution. Get yourself a decent USB audio interface, but I wouldn't skimp too much. Low cost (well, too low) can often mean low quality. If you're going to do this a lot, spend a little more.

[Kurzweil]

I've gotten decent results sending line-out levels in to mic inputs. It depends upon how they're set up (the actual construction). Often reducing the level will get acceptable results. Try turning the organ WAY down. I assume that you're recording sequences and are free to fiddle while the organ plays itself. Monitor with the computer speakers or a headphone set hooked to the computer. That way, it won't matter if you get the organ so low that it can barely be heard out of its own speakers. The direct box is the correct solution but mine won't cost anything for one more try. Your statement that the flutes alone worked, tends to bear this out. What you perceived as a reduction in volume may have merely been a flattening out (as the additional stops clipped) in a section of the piece where you expected an increase.

[afuller5]

Hi all,

Thanks for the input. I will most likely have to purchase a USB audio interface. However, it will probably not do me much good for this recording. I need to make a recording for a Memorial/Dedication service for a co-worker who died last year. A tree and bench are being dedicated in his memory at the college where I teach. Unfortunately, I would have to mail order, and it probably will not arrive in time. I guess I will have to multitrack record on my arranger keyboard.

The main problem is not the distortion, it is the volume drop. The audio does not appear to be to high based on what I see in Audacity.

Here is a sample of the problem. The only voice I used was the Viola Celeste. Also, I made sure not to move the expression pedal during the recording. (By the way, I am recording this in "real time" as I play it on the organ.)

Thanks for all your help.

Later,
Allen

[andyg]

I wonder if there's some form of limiter kicking in, somewhere in the laptop's audio input path, causing it to drop when it encounters something loud?

[David Børresen]

Sample rates often has some weird consequences without a dedicated soundcard, try changing it perhaps?