Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer

Subject: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: Scoville
Date: 24 Dec 05 - 06:13 PM

I used to have this set-up working but my computer has been moved several times and now I can't get the damned thing to function. This is driving me freaking insane.

I'm in the process of trying to copy a bunch of records to CD (these are out-of-production records, before the copyright police come after me, so nobody is losing money, and I'm doing it for preservation only, not to share). The program is MP3 Maker Gold, which is probably out-of-date now but has worked OK for me in the past.

I've got the 1) record player, 2) amplifier thingie, 3) computer. The player is attached to the red-and-white "phono" ports on the back of the amplifier. The amplifier is attached to the "sound in" port on the back of the computer (not the microphone one, the regular "sound in" one). The computer speakers are attached to the "sound out" port on the computer. Everything is plugged in and turned on. The record player needle and the record have both been cleaned.

When I start recording, I can't get any audible sound through the speakers unless I turn the volume up all the way on both the speakers and the amplifier, but the sound barely registers on the computer and the resulting recording is "sketchy". It sounds sort of like something is not connected securely.

I swear I had this set-up working fine before. I've got CD's to prove it. I could even do it without turning the sound all the way up.

Any ideas what could cause this, and what do I check next? The ends of my connectors do not appear corroded. The various wires are relatively new and should not be damaged. Nothing seems loose.

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 11:51 AM

Isn't it annoying, to have to add all of the qualifiers to the message, when you're just trying to preserve your material?

I found some great out of print albums at a Half Price Books right before the holidays. I'll be copying them onto CD so I can play them in the truck when I drive around.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: JudyB
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 01:05 PM

Is there anywhere to change the "volume in" level on your sound card? On mine I need to choose the source (which tends to revert to the internal CD player), and then max the "line-in" slider.

Does the amplifier have a radio tuner or CD player or other sound source? If so, do they work?

And (sorry if this seems silly but I get caught with things like this) have you chosen Phono as the source on your amplifier (if there's a choice)?

I find eventually that there's some setting I forgot to change, and once I find it, all is well.

Good luck!
JudyB

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: Bill t' bodger
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 01:09 PM

Hi Scoville
Your problem sounds like it could be your sound card or its sofware, try uninstalling it and re installing it if that does not work open up your machine and carefully remove and refit the card, if you have xp it will automatically check the card,
also check the leads and connectors as they can get dry connections quite easily (even on new leads)
If none of these help then your sound card may be damaged sadly this means get a new card

Hope tis is helpful
BtB

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: Scoville
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 05:37 PM

Actually, I did remember to set it to "phono", amazingly enough. I tried to get all the moron solutions worked out before I posted anything (I am exactly the kind of person who would go into a frenzy because I couldn't get it to work, and then find out I didn't have the right button pushed). It's an amplifier with an am/fm stereo receiver--it used to be part of a bigger stereo system but right now it's only connected to the record player and the computer, not to anything else (no CD player, tape deck, etc.).

One of my more computer-literate friends told me how to check the sound levels and those seem to be OK (they're turned up).

I'll try the uninstall/reinstall thing next. Good idea. I do have XP but only as of recently so there are probably other things that need to be twiddled with before everything goes back to working as it did pre-XP.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: s&r
Date: 26 Dec 05 - 06:52 PM

Has your amp got a line out or record out? If so use those.
Check for push buttons like speaker select tape monitor etc. Then before you start uninstalling and reinstalling stuff, stick the output from the tuner section of your amp in. Do the easy things first.

Stu

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From:
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 08:24 AM

One of my more computer-literate friends told me how to check the sound levels and those seem to be OK (they're turned up).

You might have your Playback set, but did you check what they are like on the Record.

Also, on Record did you make sure that the Recording Input is the Line-In and NOT the Microphone? That could be another cause of what you are getting.

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 10:48 AM

"how to check the sound levels" is a bit vague.

Windows, most versions, has a sort of "master sound levels" control in Control Panel. (Start|Settings|Control Panel|Sounds and Audio in WinXP) The "Device Level" and "Speaker Level" must both be turned up a bit for anything to get through.

Your Sound Card may have come with a "Toolbox" that includes a master volume, and/or separate volume controls for in and out and for separate channels of each. The volume controls may or may not be in the same place where you select which input to listen to. Often a "master volume" for the sound card will have an icon in your Startup toolbar at the bottom right of the monitor screen, but you may need to open a program/utility to get to "detail adjusters."

You may also use a "media program" to manipulate your music/files which may have its own level controls.

AND

Any setup that includes "something plugged in" from the outside world will probably have at least one bad cable and/or one dirty or intermittent connector.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: Amos
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 11:39 AM

Also, if the amplifier output is not boosted it can be too low for the computer sound in level. If the amop is turned on and amplifying, which you can check by trying it with the speakers, it should be ok.

A

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: robomatic
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 08:49 PM

I have had most success converting LPs by taking my feed from the headphone output of the amplifier, adjusting the gain via the volume control, and feeding it to the line in of my soundcard. This also allows me to adjust for stereo balance on the newer LPs.

If you own the LP, I believe it is perfectly within your rights to convert it to any format for your own use copyright or no.

Subject: RE: Tech: MP3 Maker/hooking phono to computer
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Dec 05 - 09:54 PM

Okay, my head is spinning a bit but I'm printing this all out for further use, when my dad (who knows more about this than I do) is here to help. I really appreciate it all, though. Thank you.