Recording Noise

[guitar_kid]

When I record stuff on my computer I can't get a very good sound unless it is absolutley clean. In other words I can't find a way to use my SD-1 or MT-2 to recrd my stuff. I want to know if anyone knows how to clean up the sound when you record to your computer?

[Trey]

How are you recording? Are you micing the amp or going straight into the computer? And what exactly is the problem, or you just getting bad tone or digital distortion from a signal that's too hot?

[Evante49]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that your input volume is too high and your sound is clipping.

If this is indeed the problem, then you need to open your computer's volume settings, navigate to the record settings, and lower the volume of the analogue or line-in options.

[guitar_kid]

Ok I go direct from my amp to the computer via line out. I can get a great clean tone when I have my amp and guitars volume reasonably low. My problem is that everything turns to mud if I use my SD-1 or MT-2.

[Evante49]

Yeah, it just sounds like you are clipping your soundcard.

If you have the option to record on different channels, use different ones for your clean and your distortion. If not, then you will manually have to adjust input volume when you want to get heavy.

Or you might just be able to turn down the level on your pedals.

[Trey]

Ok I go direct from my amp to the computer via line out. I can get a great clean tone when I have my amp and guitars volume reasonably low. My problem is that everything turns to mud if I use my SD-1 or MT-2.

Are you using the Mic input on your computer, or the line in input? If your using the Mic input, use the line in input because it is designed to take a litle bit hotter signal.

And adjust the input volume down a little. When you record there should be a little sliding red scale somewhere on the screen, you never want that scale to go above(or near) 0, because at that point you will get clipping. But you don't want it to be too far into the negative numbers either because then your not recording with the highest possible number of bits and your fidelity will suffer. It's really a balancing game that will take some time and patience to get perfect...

[Evante49]

I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland.
-Woody Allen
That is a very funny signature. Sorry, back to the topic...

[dricas24]

Well the only thing I have right now is a mt-2. I run it directly to my computer and yeah it sounds really muddy at first. So thats why you do alittle Eqing to it and mastering....

The problem I have is when I am finished recording then try to play it back. When I hit play before the first note is played there is a slight ticking sound or clicking sound anyone know what I am talking about?

[Evante49]

It's probably your metronome. I'm guessing that you probably have "What U Hear" (or some equivilent) selected in your record control. You have two options about how to fix this. You can either turn off the metronome somewhere in your software, or you should change your record control to "analogue mix".

I would suggest changing your record control, as you may accidentilly record other sounds your don't want with "What U Hear" on.

Of course, I may be completely wrong about this. But I do think the clicking is a digital metronome.

[dricas24]

I dont think it is a metronome it is a static type of sound. You could tell it was a homemade recording.

[guitar_kid]

Are you using the Mic input on your computer, or the line in input? If your using the Mic input, use the line in input because it is designed to take a litle bit hotter signal.

And adjust the input volume down a little. When you record there should be a little sliding red scale somewhere on the screen, you never want that scale to go above(or near) 0, because at that point you will get clipping. But you don't want it to be too far into the negative numbers either because then your not recording with the highest possible number of bits and your fidelity will suffer. It's really a balancing game that will take some time and patience to get perfect...
I plug into the mic input but i dunno where the line input is.