Subject:recording levels sound thin

Posted by: thephantom

Date:7/2/2003 10:47:06 AM

This isn't specifically an Acid problem but here goes. When I record, the sound is LOW and thin. I have adjusted all my input levels on the operating system and in the application. I have tried going directly in via my mixing board and I have tried going in with my GNX-2. To get the meters in Acid up to around -3 db, I have to REALLY CRANK up the volume. I have tried adjusting my knobs on the breakout box. All really does is create distortion. I have this problem with all recording software. Any suggestions?

Windows XP Pro ALL updates and servic packs
Sound Blaster Live! with front panel "break-out box" (this is what I plug into)
I don't have the Creative software installed


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Subject:RE: recording levels sound thin

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:7/2/2003 11:42:33 AM

Are you sure you're adjusting the input/recording controls in the sound card's control panel? The screen you see when you bring it up is only for monitoring/playback. You need to click Options / Properties / Recording / OK in order to adjust the recording level.

Subject:RE: recording levels sound thin

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:7/2/2003 1:39:23 PM

In addition to what Chienworks said, are you using analog or digital with the GNX2? I have that guitar effects processor and have no problems with volume, whether using the 1/4" analog outs or the digital S/PDIF out. If you're using S/PDIF, make sure you adjust the digital volume via the GNX2's utility menu, as it's set really low initially.

I am using both an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 and an M-Audio USB Duo as audio interfaces.

The Live! is notoriously noisy; I used to have one as well.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: recording levels sound thin

Reply by: thephantom

Date:7/2/2003 3:49:06 PM

I will check into that. Is the 2496 better than the audigy 2? I can't decide between the two. I do want to upgrade from this sound card. The only reason I want the audigy is because of the front panel interface. OTher than that, the specs seem the same.

Subject:RE: recording levels sound thin

Reply by: TheMightyThor

Date:7/2/2003 7:28:48 PM

Hi I was looking at this post and as some one who upgraded from SBLive to SB Audigy II Platinum i would say...NOOOOOOOWAAAAYYYY DONNNNTTT DOOO ITTT. There is a card out there , Highly Rated called Terratec, it also has the same interface that SBLive Has and audigy 2 platinum. The difference is that the terratec Supposedly has better processing chips for audio recording, where the SB audigy is more focus on Play Back and not recording. Oh yeah dont let them them fool you, read the find print and you'll see that Audigy does NOT RECORD in 24 bit.

Subject:RE: recording levels sound thin

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:7/2/2003 8:51:50 PM

To add to what mightythor said, I've heard Terratec's card/interface is better at pro audio than Creative's offering as well.

I believe you can do 24-bit with the Audigy 2, but only with WDM (Windows Classic). ASIO is still stuck at 16-bit/48 kHz.

Another thing: I can't remember offhand, but I think somebody at the DigiTech forum was having a problem with the Terratec's S/PDIF input and the GNX. Frankly, though, I think it was him. In any case, should you go with the Terratec, be sure to set the Terratec's S/PDIF input to match that of the GNX (which will actually act as the master clock for S/PDIF), which is 24-bit/44.1 kHz.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: recording levels sound thin

Reply by: thephantom

Date:7/3/2003 7:42:51 AM

well, I figured that if I lower the volume of the wave ouput, I can balance the two so I can at least hear them both together. I still haven't figured why the input of the spdif is so low still even after checking the GNX's settings. The wave-form in ACID doesn't have the amplitude that the other tracks have. I guess I will have to work on this. I noticed the track I recorded is a little "behind" the beat too. Is this called latency? How do I correct this without having to adjujst the track offset?

Acid 3.0g
GNX-2 (with updated firmware)
256 MB DDR memory
AMD Duron 1Ghz
SoundBlaster Live!