Need help recording Vinyl

[Harosh]

Alright. Got a bit of a problem and I don't know what's causing it, it's probably something really simple.

Okay so the problem is that when i record the the song that's on the record it all comes out distorted (like really distorted), I don't know why, because while it's recording it sounds fine... it's just playing it back where it sounds distorted. The levels are fine, in fact i've even got it down to -12db and it still sounds like shit. Not once does it even come close to 0. I've tried using Logic and Audacity and the same thing happens with both.

Here's what I'm using to record: 1210, Shure M44-7 (pretty newish), pioneer djm500 with a rca to 1/4 trs cable coming from the master channel on the djm500 into the inputs of my sound card, which is a saffire 6 usb.

Any ideas?

[dudi1991]

1. This is all about your sound card and sound card settings.
Check the recording settings in your sound card and ensure that the recording input is set to "Stereo Mix" (may be called "What U Hear", or "Mix", or something similar).
Check that all sound card effects and enhancements are disabled.
Sound card settings can usually be accessed via an icon near the Time/Date in the lower right corner of the Desktop.

2. Open your sound card recording settings and turn down the recording level.
During recording, you should see the waveform appear in the Audacity track. Adjust the recording level so that the waveform is about half the height of the track.
After it has recorded you can use the Amplify effect to bring the level up a bit.

Try these methods and let me know

[atlascesar]

how does the vinyl disc sounds from the dj mr 500 mixer when the headphones connect direct to PFL cue? trying to check the ground wire? updating too the drivers for saffires but also maybe rebooting helps.

be safe!

[drake89]

This is my biggest beef with this sound card, the one I own as well. Afaik it doesn't take line level signals.

Short answer you're clipping the shit out of your preamps. the 1/4" ins are only for instrument inputs- much lower voltage and higher impedance than line level signal.

The only way I've gotten around this is basically by turning everything all the way down. Preamps on or near 0, master fader on mixer near 0, and maybe even the channel fader near 0. Also turn the -20dB pad on both inputs of the sound card.

[safeandsound]

Can we assume you are using a proper RIAA compensated phono preamp stage ? (or a Dj mixer which has them built in)

http://www.production-room.com/art/art- ... tAoddQkAdA

If so the basics of gain structure apply, 24 bit, hit peaks to -12dBFS or so and you should be sweet.

As explained mic preamps expect a low signal level (which the XLR out from your DJM will not be producing), if you have the dual input socket Neutrik connectors (TRS / XLR female) normally low cost kit will have enough gain padding built in to be able to use either input connection. (TRS/XLR)

EDIT :Also the DJM 500 has a grommit/grub screw master level output pot on the back so you can adjust the electric level coming out independent of the master output metering. If you still have trouble turn this down.

cheers

SafeandSound Mastering

[Harosh]

I'm so out of my depth with shit like this it's unreal. Thanks for all your replies, I'll give it more of a go tomorrow cause I have a feeling if I tried to fix it tonight I'd end up throwing it out of the window.

If I can't get it to work I've got a NI Audio 4 which I've basically never used, I'm sure that's probably easier to use. I get confused with any form of hardware, always have done with PC's as well... It's the only thing that's putting me off buying hardware for music.

[Harosh]

Right, I think I've got this sorted... not with my Saffire 6 though, no matter what I do that won't record properly. But my NI Audio 4 records fine, I just need to turn my master down or it goes apeshit, but that's okay cause I can just turn my speakers up when I'm mixing.

Cheers for the help.

[atlascesar]

the saffire 6. whats happens when you hit disable the preamps on the inputs. this suggestion was mentioned. try pressing so much "inst" button beneath the volume dial on front for ch1 and ch2. then look for what happens when you are padding the input. the pad button is simple and next to inst. be safe

[Electric_Head]

Slipping up atlas, that actually made sense.

[atlascesar]

so much writing for helpfulness and being very early tired can make the atlas cells slippery