Strange problem recording from tapes to PC -- please help!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Steven O.
  • Start date Start date
S

Steven O.

I am experiencing what I think is a very strange problem. I'm trying
to transfer some old cassette tapes, recordings of interviews I did
with my Dad, from tape to PC. I have a Windows 2000 system, with an
on-board VIA AC'97 Sound Card on the MSI motherboard. I've connected
the tape deck to the auxilliary input on the soundcard. I've also
tried recording through two different types of sound drivers, the VIA
AC'97 drivers that came with the computer, and a set of drivers that
come with a program called Total Recorder. I've carefully checked
that all the volume settings are at their maximum.

Now, here is what is strange: When I play back the tapes, using
various recording programs, I can hear the tapes on the PC's speakers.
The sound is reasonably good -- there is some hiss, but Dad and I both
come through quite audibly, and sufficiently loud.

Then -- the tape comes to an end, I save the file that has been
created, and play it back. Dad and I are barely audible. I could
understand if I couldn't hear the tape in the first place, that would
indicate a problem either with the tapes, or with the transfer
process. But since I can hear them very clearly during playback, why
would the saved files be 90% hiss and 10% barely audible voices!?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Steve O.
(e-mail address removed)


Standard Antiflame Disclaimer: Please don't flame me. I may actually *be* an idiot, but even idiots have feelings.
 
Have you checked the recording level in the control panel, Sound and audio
devices?
Also, depending on which recording software you use, many also have record
level settings


Steven O. said:
I am experiencing what I think is a very strange problem. I'm trying
to transfer some old cassette tapes, recordings of interviews I did
with my Dad, from tape to PC. I have a Windows 2000 system, with an
on-board VIA AC'97 Sound Card on the MSI motherboard. I've connected
the tape deck to the auxilliary input on the soundcard. I've also
tried recording through two different types of sound drivers, the VIA
AC'97 drivers that came with the computer, and a set of drivers that
come with a program called Total Recorder. I've carefully checked
that all the volume settings are at their maximum.

Now, here is what is strange: When I play back the tapes, using
various recording programs, I can hear the tapes on the PC's speakers.
The sound is reasonably good -- there is some hiss, but Dad and I both
come through quite audibly, and sufficiently loud.

Then -- the tape comes to an end, I save the file that has been
created, and play it back. Dad and I are barely audible. I could
understand if I couldn't hear the tape in the first place, that would
indicate a problem either with the tapes, or with the transfer
process. But since I can hear them very clearly during playback, why
would the saved files be 90% hiss and 10% barely audible voices!?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Steve O.
(e-mail address removed)


Standard Antiflame Disclaimer: Please don't flame me. I may actually
Click to expand...
*be* an idiot, but even idiots have feelings.
 
Steven O. said:
Now, here is what is strange: When I play back the tapes, using
various recording programs, I can hear the tapes on the PC's speakers.
The sound is reasonably good -- there is some hiss, but Dad and I both
come through quite audibly, and sufficiently loud.

Then -- the tape comes to an end, I save the file that has been
created, and play it back. Dad and I are barely audible. I could
understand if I couldn't hear the tape in the first place, that would
indicate a problem either with the tapes, or with the transfer
process. But since I can hear them very clearly during playback, why
would the saved files be 90% hiss and 10% barely audible voices!?
Click to expand...

Because your cabling is bad and the ground is lifted, so that what you
are recording is the same signal out of phase on the two channels. When
you listen in stereo, it's fine, but when you listen in mono the two
cancel one another out. Check your cabling.

If this is the case, then you can try plugging in only one output
from the tape machine and you won't get any signal at all.

Incidentally, please don't crosspost off-topic stuff like this to
rec.audio.pro. This really doesn't belong here.
--scott
 
Incidentally, please don't crosspost off-topic stuff like this to
rec.audio.pro. This really doesn't belong here.
--scott
Click to expand...

Well, now, there you go -- people are so opposed to massive
cross-posting. But if I had not cross posted, you probably would not
have seen this message, and as it happens you solved the problem:
Switching from mono to stereo recording gives me the full signal.

Thanks,
Steve O.

Because your cabling is bad and the ground is lifted, so that what you
are recording is the same signal out of phase on the two channels. When
you listen in stereo, it's fine, but when you listen in mono the two
cancel one another out. Check your cabling.

If this is the case, then you can try plugging in only one output
from the tape machine and you won't get any signal at all.

Incidentally, please don't crosspost off-topic stuff like this to
rec.audio.pro. This really doesn't belong here.
--scott
Click to expand...


Standard Antiflame Disclaimer: Please don't flame me. I may actually *be* an idiot, but even idiots have feelings.
 
I have a similar problem with a Dell Laptop. However when I use a gateway
laptop it works fine.????? It may be the sound card, that is all I can
figure since I have tried this with two laptops. You can try a new
soundcard, they are fairly cheap, or pull one from an old PC. Anyone else
have another suggestion.


Steven O. said:
I am experiencing what I think is a very strange problem. I'm trying
to transfer some old cassette tapes, recordings of interviews I did
with my Dad, from tape to PC. I have a Windows 2000 system, with an
on-board VIA AC'97 Sound Card on the MSI motherboard. I've connected
the tape deck to the auxilliary input on the soundcard. I've also
tried recording through two different types of sound drivers, the VIA
AC'97 drivers that came with the computer, and a set of drivers that
come with a program called Total Recorder. I've carefully checked
that all the volume settings are at their maximum.

Now, here is what is strange: When I play back the tapes, using
various recording programs, I can hear the tapes on the PC's speakers.
The sound is reasonably good -- there is some hiss, but Dad and I both
come through quite audibly, and sufficiently loud.

Then -- the tape comes to an end, I save the file that has been
created, and play it back. Dad and I are barely audible. I could
understand if I couldn't hear the tape in the first place, that would
indicate a problem either with the tapes, or with the transfer
process. But since I can hear them very clearly during playback, why
would the saved files be 90% hiss and 10% barely audible voices!?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Steve O.
(e-mail address removed)


Standard Antiflame Disclaimer: Please don't flame me. I may actually
Click to expand...
*be* an idiot, but even idiots have feelings.
 
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