Having some problems with going analogue to digital

[Rekuss]

Hey!

I've just started to do some recording using my Tascam Portastudio 02mkll. I can record fine but it is when I want to put my analogue recordings onto my laptop.

At the moment, I'm mixing it on my 4-track, then recording it using Audactiy. I'm connecting the two units by having the line out from the 4-track to the 1/8" mic input on my laptop. I know this is very crappy but thats all I have to work with at the moment.

The problem is during the 'laptop' recording/bounce, or whatever you want to call it, the music turns out extremely distorted and the only way to combat this is to mix everything down at a very low volume, thus resulting in a quiet but albeit clean recording.

Is there a way I can solve my problem.

Many Thanks

Reece

[albee1952]

Sounds like you may have the recording level set too high(in your computer). The mic input cannot handle a line level signal. Once you have recorded onto analog tape(speaking of narrow format like cassette), there isn't much you can do to eliminate tape hiss. At the very least, you should look into a USB/audio interface that can handle line level. You would realize a major quality jump if you ditch the Tascam and start recording directly into your computer with a decent audio interface(M-Audio with protools M-Powered, Cubase, Nuendo or regular protools). The cheaper units have a mix knob that can be a hassle but the firewire interfaces can run at a much lower latency so monitoring is much better so you can skip dealing with the mix knob. Watch some tutorial videos from the various manufacturer websites or even youtube.com.

[albee1952]

Sounds like you may have the recording level set too high(in your computer). The mic input cannot handle a line level signal. Once you have recorded onto analog tape(speaking of narrow format like cassette), there isn't much you can do to eliminate tape hiss. At the very least, you should look into a USB/audio interface that can handle line level. You would realize a major quality jump if you ditch the Tascam and start recording directly into your computer with a decent audio interface(M-Audio with protools M-Powered, Cubase, Nuendo or regular protools). The cheaper units have a mix knob that can be a hassle but the firewire interfaces can run at a much lower latency so monitoring is much better so you can skip dealing with the mix knob. Watch some tutorial videos from the various manufacturer websites or even youtube.com.

[Rekuss]

Thanks for the response Al!

Yeah I worked it was my mic level that was giving me the grief, but the software Im using is being a pain and won 't let me turn it down.

I just purchased a GuitarPort and I've managed to record myself extremely well, just gotta sort the rest of the band out now.


Thanks again

Reece