Problems with Mircophone Array

thecaringguy · 24 Aug 2012

Okay so yesterday I had purchased an ION USB turntable so I can record all my Vinyl Records into my computer through Total Recorder. I can get full Stereo sound for sometimes a couple of songs but then the left sound peak meter goes down in volume or completely doesn't get any volume. The right sound speak meter keeps working though.
I had went into my sound properties to see if I could figure out why it was doing this.
In the Sound Advanced tab for the Microphone Array I had completely disabled Exclusive Mode.
The Default Format is set to 2 channel, 16bit, 48000Hz (DVD Quailty) and Windows is not allowing me to adjust it to the 2 channel, 16bit, 44100Hz (CD Quality) format and I don't understand why it's doing this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks :)

fireberd · 24 Aug 2012

Do you have a "Line IN" jack on your PC. You failed to fill out the My System Specs so we don't know what type of PC you have.

thecaringguy · 24 Aug 2012

I have updated my system specs in my profile the best I could for now.
Yes I do have a Line In jack as well as a Microphone on the back of my computer. On the front I have another microphone jack and a headphone jack.

fireberd · 24 Aug 2012

The Line In jack is stereo (two channel). The mic jacks are only mono (one channel). The mic uses a stereo jack but only the "tip" is the audio, the "ring" is for 5VDC that is required by computer mics.

Use the Line In for recording. You should have "System Mixer" listed in the Sound Panel/Recording Section. Set the System Mixer as the default recording device then whether you use the line in or mic they will both record when you select the System Mixer as the recording device in your recording program. In addition, you need the System Mixer if you want to record audio from the internet.

(I have a recording studio).

thecaringguy · 24 Aug 2012

I used to have an older record player plugged into a Stereo Amp then connect the tape out connector using an audio cable that does plug into my Line In on the back of my computer, but I have a problem with that if I was to continue using it. The issue would be that the Y shape adapter (headphone jack to RCA audio) would become a bit loose and I would hear a loud buzzing sound from my speakers. It goes away if I have to jiggle it a bit. This is why I had bought a USB turntable to have to avoid having that buzzing sound from my adapter becoming loose (even during recording).

Update: I finally got my USB turntable to play Stereo sound finally

but when I'm recording my Vinyl albums to my computer that the left peak meter either goes off for sometime but it does come back to normal. I'm just confused and now I'm wondering if this issue I'm having for recording is the condition of my LP records or not.

Can someone please give me some advice?
Thank you

fireberd · 25 Aug 2012

I missed the "USB" part. I have a turntable that can be USB connected or connected via analog (to the line in). It has a problem and will distort on USB and on analog unless I run it through a pad to cut the signal down.

Your problem with one side changing sounds like a problem in the turntable rather than a PC problem.

thecaringguy · 25 Aug 2012

Okay thank you very much. I have a best friend who also has some issues the same as I do so at this point I have narrowed it down to the condition of the Vinyl record as it couldn't be my USB turntable as it was bought brand new.
My Vinyl albums on the other hand were bought very cheap at a secondhand store so it could well be that the original owner(s) didn't take very good care of the LP album so that's why I'm having this issue as the album was not bought brand new, am I correct?

Thanks for the very friendly support.

fireberd · 25 Aug 2012

Don't rule out the turntable, just because it is new. My "new" turntable is defective.

thecaringguy · 26 Aug 2012

Well apparently I had called the store and had asked about this issue I'm having with Stereo to Mono during recording, and I was adviced that since my USB turntable is "new" that it shouldn't be the source of the problem. I know all of the settings are correct.
I'm just so confused and don't know what to really believe at this point since I'm being told 2 different things.

fireberd · 26 Aug 2012

I'm an electronics tech (and used to work in Nashville as an amplifier tech). I'll reiterate again, just because something is "new" does not mean it potentially cannot have a problem. Typical of a store that does not want to take back a potentially defective product or honor any warranty.

Do you have another PC or a friend that will allow you to try it with their PC. That will determine if its the turntable or a problem with your PC.