Sound Card Calibration

**koiman** · **04-18-07, 03:53 PM**

OzonE,
I downloaded the recorder and tried to record sound from my XM radio by plugging the XM into the line in on the sound blaster and pushing the record button on the downloaded recorder and I did'nt get any sound. Of course I had the output plugged into my amp.
Thanks,
Leon

**OzOnE** · **04-18-07, 04:17 PM**

Hi,

OK, then there is definitely a problem with the line input on your Sound Blaster, or with the drivers. Obvisouly, the sound OUTPUT is working, so it must be something wrong with the input?

I think MakeFlat was basically saying to just try every combination for your loop-back connection since you have TWO adapters, and TWO sockets on each adapter, there are FOUR possible combinations to test.

(The part about the amp volume was just a general warning in case you had your amp connected via the SPDIF output or something.)

You could try unplugging the adapter from the line-in socket on your Sound Blaster, plug your XM radio directly into the MIC input on the front of the Sound Blaster, then try recording again.

When you tried your XM radio into the line-in socket, did you get no sound at all on Audacity?

Have you ever used the line input or mic input on your Sound Blaster before? Maybe it is faulty, or maybe the drivers need re-installing?

You might be running out of options here if you can't get any input to work correctly I'm afraid.

OzOnE.

**koiman** · **04-18-07, 04:45 PM**

OzOnE,
I tried to plug the xm Radio into the Line input and also the front Mic jack and run the recorder and I didn't get any sound, in fact I also plugged in a mic and absolutely no sound. I even just replaced the Sound Blaster Live 24 for a new one and this has made no difference. I am using the new USB cable but other than that everything is the same I checked all the settings and they are all correct.
Thanks,
Leon

**OzOnE** · **04-18-07, 07:37 PM**

Hi,

This is very strange. It must be a software problem I suppose?

If you go into the standard Windows mixer, then set it to "Recording" mode (Options > Properties > Recording), what are the inputs that it shows you? (You might have to turn on the Windows mixer icon first.)

It seems that the Sound Blaster 24 external only has one main "Line-in / Mic" input - I wonder how it handles things when a mic is plugged in at the same time as the line-in socket? It probably turns the other input off?

The only other thing I can suggest is that you fully un-install your old Sound Blaster drivers, then re-install them and try again.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

OzOnE.

**koiman** · **04-19-07, 08:56 PM**

OzOnE,
When i go into the recording properties with the sound balster plugged in ther are 2 boxes Line IN/Mic which has a check in the box and the second is What U Hear which is not checked. Now i have completely change everything out including the software and I still don't have enought input to go any higher than -67.5 and it need to be around -12. I have check all the setting multipal times and all the setting are set correctly. I am at my whits end.
Thanks,
Leon

**MakeFlat** · **04-19-07, 09:49 PM**

Okay, can you post a picture of Control panel-->Sound (the speaker icon)-->Audio tab? Are you running Windows XP? (just a checklist). Did you have Java Runtime V6 u1 installed? (another checklist)

**OzOnE** · **04-19-07, 10:24 PM**

Hi,

MakeFlat has another very good point - you have to be sure you only have one instance of the Sound Blaster listed under "Sound Playback", and "Sound Recording", and that they are both set correctly.

I have problems with my HTPC when the BIOS resets for some reason and the onboard C-Media sound is re-enabled. This causes Windows to pick it up as default and cause me to "loose" sound from my Audiotrak card.

Another thing you could try is connecting your loop back cable from the headphones socket on your amp to the line input on the SB and see if the level gets higher. I would start the amp volume VERY low first though, then increase it slightly. Also, it's probably not a good idea to go too loud on the amp with the SB connected!!

OzOnE.

**koiman** · **04-19-07, 10:43 PM**

MikeFlat,
The first picture is when I go to the speaker I con through Control Panel.

The second Picture is after I change the sound choice to the Sound Blaster.

The default sound card appears even with the Soun blaster USB cable attached to the computer.
Running windows XP
Java Version 1.5.0

I hope this is what you wanted to see.
Thanks,
Leon

**MakeFlat** · **04-19-07, 11:04 PM**

Leon,

Check if you have Java Runtime V5 or higher. I have marked the audio tab. I think the third selection( under Midi) should be okay but check if there are other choices like Soundblaster...

**koiman** · **04-19-07, 11:17 PM**

MakeFlat,
I set all the sound settings to sound blaster and tried to run the sound card cal. and still same situation.
Here is a photo of my Java.. This is from the java icon on the control panel.. it checks every 30 day's for updates.

Thanks,
Leon

**MakeFlat** · **04-19-07, 11:24 PM**

Leon,

See if you can bring Java Runtime Environment V5 to the top. I don't know how that was done since I installed JRE 6.0U1. Anyway, the instructions for installing JRE V5 is explained in:http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

Edit: It may be that JAVA 2 includes JRE V5 Update 10 but I am not aware of that, not being a JAVA expert.

**MakeFlat** · **04-19-07, 11:39 PM**

Quote:

koiman wrote:

MakeFlat,
I set all the sound settings to sound blaster and tried to run the sound card cal. and still same situation.
Leon

Exit out of REW. Then check that Audio tab a second time. After that run REW from the start and check "Settings" under REW - SB Live should be selected as Output and Input devices. SPEAKER should be selected for SB Live Output and LINE-IN/MIC IN selected for SB Live Input Remember always to start from a low volume on your receiver.

**koiman** · **04-19-07, 11:54 PM**

Nick,
I followed all your instructions.. Nothing changed I ran the sound card cal 3 more time all is the same . all the control panel settings sayed where I set them and the sound card settings also stayed the same. This just doesn't make any since. My Java is version 6 update 1
Leon

**MakeFlat** · **04-20-07, 12:36 AM**

Leon,

We need to check the recording capability of your Line-In on the SB box. See if you can record your own voice after checking that Line In is active in Creative. Do this via Creative Recording. Be sure to try the left Line In and the right Line In as well, by plugging your RS SPL meter into Line In. Oh, one more item to check - check the RS SPL meter battery when you switch that to the Batt on the meter.

**OzOnE** · **04-20-07, 03:35 AM**

Hi,

It looks like your PC might still be picking up the Nforce (onboard) sound for recording since that would make perfect sense. From your previous screenshots, you can see that very low level sound is being recorded, which is probably just the natural noise from the onboard sound.

You could try setting the playback and record devices to Nforce, then plug the loop back cable between the output and line in on the back of the motherboard (usually green and blue sockets).

If that works, you could try setting up REW with the Nforce sound for a while to see if it all works. If you really still want to use the SB USB, then it might be an idea to completely uninstall the Nforce sound drivers, disable the onboard sound option in the BIOS, make sure your playback AND recording devices are set to the SB USB again, and try REW again.

Do your last screenshots mean that your recording device might have been set to Nforce before? If so, then try recording from the XM radio again or from a microphone.

Also, always double-check that Windows mixer has the correct settings and that "Line-in/Mic in" is selected for recording under Options > Properties > click Recording > OK. And make sure it has the Sound Blaster listed at the bottom of the mixer window for both playback AND recording options.

OzOnE

**MakeFlat** · **04-20-07, 09:28 AM**

Leon, OzOnE is right. If you can use Nforce, you will not need SB Live. By the way, when was the last time you rebooted your PC?

**koiman** · **04-20-07, 10:13 AM**

OK Guy's,
I have a major question.. WHEN I STARTED THIS PROJECT I purchased all my cables at Radio Shack and this is one of the cables they told me I need, after taking a close look at the package label this AM I noticed the word ATTENUATING AUDIO CABLE Mono Cable 42-2152A 1/8 MONO PHONE PLUG TO 1/8 MONO PHONE PLUG *90db ATTENUATION. Could this cable be my problem and if so can someone give me a correct number for the correct cable from Radio Shack.
Thanks,
Leon

**Otto** · **04-20-07, 10:34 AM**

I'm more concerned that your input is still selecting NVIDIA. Have you been able to get this to change to SB?

**Otto** · **04-20-07, 10:49 AM**

Quote:

koiman wrote:

OK Guy's,
I have a major question.. WHEN I STARTED THIS PROJECT I purchased all my cables at Radio Shack and this is one of the cables they told me I need, after taking a close look at the package label this AM I noticed the word ATTENUATING AUDIO CABLE Mono Cable 42-2152A 1/8 MONO PHONE PLUG TO 1/8 MONO PHONE PLUG *90db ATTENUATION. Could this cable be my problem and if so can someone give me a correct number for the correct cable from Radio Shack.
Thanks,
Leon

From the RS site:

Quote:

Record from a line-level output with our 6.56-foot attenuating dubbing cord. It connects the earphone jack from a radio, cassette or CD player to a recorder's input or mic jack via 1/8" phone plugs on each end.

They are describing the earphone jack as "line-level". I would describe the output of your SP card as "line-level". Then they say that that signal is going to go into an "input or mic jack". If their intention is to drop that signal from a line-level to a mic level, there may be a problem.

You just want a straight-through extension cable. Go back and see what else they have that looks the same, but with a different description -- without the attenutation...

Still, did you ever get any input when just using the RS meter as your input. I'm still thinking there's something wrong with it being the NVIDIA input.

**Otto** · **04-20-07, 10:53 AM**

I think you want this one.

**koiman** · **04-20-07, 10:54 AM**

Otto,
As long as my soudblaster is plugged into the USB port my setting in the control panel refer to the sound blaster. I also have another question the cable that runs from the sound blaster out to the amp should it be a 3.5mm mono to RCA? or a 3.5mm stereo to RCA?
Leon

**Otto** · **04-20-07, 10:58 AM**

To go to the stereo, I would skip the mono to stereo adapter thing and just use a stereo 1/8" to dual RCAs.

Looks like we might have posted at the same time. Did you see my link to RS two above?

**Otto** · **04-20-07, 11:02 AM**

Quote:

koiman wrote:

Otto,
As long as my soudblaster is plugged into the USB port my setting in the control panel refer to the sound blaster.

Hi Leon,

That's not what your pictures shows (as pointed out by MakeFlat)....

**koiman** · **04-20-07, 11:07 AM**

Otto,
No I didn't see the post above.. Thanks Do you think the attenuating 1/8 cable could be causing the lack of input? no matter what I do I can't get a input reading above -65db.
Leon

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