Alternate Ways to Line-In Recording

[darkdestiny]

Hi, I am posting in this thread to ask about the title above.

I have recently gotten my HP Pavilion dv6 laptop with Windows 7 64-bit. The audio device that is installed is the IDT High Definition Audio CODEC.

I wanted to record some audio tapes using line in recording into my laptop. However, I have realized that there is only 3 jacks - 2 earphone jacks & 1 microphone jack. I have read in an earlier thread that I can't use the microphone jack to record line-in recording (I have tried this once, the audio turned out to be crappy with an irritating high pitch ring).

Thus, I am asking, is there any other way I can transfer my recorded audio footages from tapes to my laptop?

Thanks for reading my query. I greatly appreciate if I receive some answers from some of you.

[wingnut2003]

there are various usb options. just do a search for usb audio recording.

[jagabo]

Go to the controls for the mic-in jack and turn off the 20 dB gain. That will convert it from mic levels to line in levels.

[bendixG15]

Last time I recorded some audio tapes, the microphone jack on the audio card was mono only.
Suggest you check yours.

[darkdestiny]

Go to the controls for the mic-in jack and turn off the 20 dB gain. That will convert it from mic levels to line in levels.

Microphone Boost is a +0 dB, but the sound comes out very faint with the buzzing sound.

there are various usb options. just do a search for usb audio recording.

Thanks. I will check it out.

Last time I recorded some audio tapes, the microphone jack on the audio card was mono only.
Suggest you check yours.

When I hear the audio before (when the music appears to be louder), one half of the audio was missing. Perhaps this is what mono is?

[jagabo]

Go to the controls for the mic-in jack and turn off the 20 dB gain. That will convert it from mic levels to line in levels.

Microphone Boost is a +0 dB, but the sound comes out very faint with the buzzing sound.

Are you sure the player isn't at fault? Can you plug it into any other device? Stereo system, TV, etc.

Last time I recorded some audio tapes, the microphone jack on the audio card was mono only.
Suggest you check yours.

When I hear the audio before (when the music appears to be louder), one half of the audio was missing. Perhaps this is what mono is?

I haven't seen a mono mic input on a computer in years. What kind of connector does your player have? A stereo mini plug? Two RCA connectors? In any case, make sure you are using stereo to stereo cable.

http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-2-RCA-stereo-audio-cable/dp/B0030B4CZU/
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8V203tt06-E3-P-3-5MM-Cassette-Adapter/dp/B0047741BG/

Note how the mini pin plugs have 3 metal portions along the shaft. Make sure it doesn't have only two metal portions like this adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-03174-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B0002EOHX0/

If you can't get your current audio inputs working properly you can use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soundblaster-Surround-System-SB1095/dp/B0044DEDCA/

If you're using the headphone output on your player try adjusting the volume on the player as well as at the sound card's input.

[darkdestiny]

Go to the controls for the mic-in jack and turn off the 20 dB gain. That will convert it from mic levels to line in levels.

Microphone Boost is a +0 dB, but the sound comes out very faint with the buzzing sound.

Are you sure the player isn't at fault? Can you plug it into any other device? Stereo system, TV, etc.

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack, & even tested out a friend's computer line-in jack. The audio appears the same.

Last time I recorded some audio tapes, the microphone jack on the audio card was mono only.
Suggest you check yours.

When I hear the audio before (when the music appears to be louder), one half of the audio was missing. Perhaps this is what mono is?

I haven't seen a mono mic input on a computer in years. What kind of connector does your player have? A stereo mini plug? Two RCA connectors? In any case, make sure you are using stereo to stereo cable.

http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-2-RCA-stereo-audio-cable/dp/B0030B4CZU/
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-F8V203tt06-E3-P-3-5MM-Cassette-Adapter/dp/B0047741BG/

Note how the mini pin plugs have 3 metal portions along the shaft. Make sure it doesn't have only two metal portions like this adapter:

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-03174-Stereo-Adapter/dp/B0002EOHX0/

If you can't get your current audio inputs working properly you can use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Soundblaster-Surround-System-SB1095/dp/B0044DEDCA/

If you're using the headphone output on your player try adjusting the volume on the player as well as at the sound card's input.

FYI, I got the line-in jack from a local computer shop, and it has 3 metal portions on both sides.

Adjusted it to max. The audio is still not good. Looking at things I feel that it may be safer to go for a USB audio device. But I need something that can connect to the earphone jack of my audio device.

[edDV]

Your other option is to acquire a USB audio input device. The record chain will be completely separate from the internal audio hardware. Prices range from sub $20 to over $200 (e.g. M-Audio or Mackie).

Low end
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&Description=USB%2...udio%20adapter

More serious
http://www.zzounds.com/prodsearch?cat=3953&cat2=&ob=pop&rl=&rh=&instock=0&blowouts=0&f...er&form=search

[darkdestiny]

I have found a cable that has a 3.5mm audio plug & a USB plug (not an audio input device, just a cable).

[edDV]

I have found a cable that has a 3.5mm audio plug & a USB plug (not an audio input device, just a cable).

That won't work.

[jagabo]

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack, & even tested out a friend's computer line-in jack. The audio appears the same.

What do you mean? The same buzz/ringing? Then the problem is in the phone, not the computer.

[darkdestiny]

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack, & even tested out a friend's computer line-in jack. The audio appears the same.

What do you mean? The same buzz/ringing? Then the problem is in the phone, not the computer.

No phone is attached to the laptop. And when I plugged in to my friend's line-in jack, nothing came out.

[edDV]

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack, & even tested out a friend's computer line-in jack. The audio appears the same.

Headphone out is not line out. There is both impedance and levels mismatch.
http://beavishifi.com/articles/headphonejack/
http://www.sweetwater.com/expert-center/techtips/d--10/26/2000
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/43815-6-adapting-headphone-line-voltage-divider

Better to copy the files to your computer, then connect computer line out to device input jack.

[Gavino]

Better to copy the files to your computer, then connect computer line out to device input jack.

What files???
He wants to copy audio tapes.

I wanted to record some audio tapes using line in recording into my laptop.

[jagabo]

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack...

No phone is attached to the laptop.

I have no idea what you're doing. You need to be explicit and precise.

[darkdestiny]

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack...

No phone is attached to the laptop.

I have no idea what you're doing. You need to be explicit and precise.

My main purpose is to transfer my audio cassette tapes to the computer so I can use them. I tried to use a line-in cable to connect the earphone jack of the tape recorder to the microphone jack of the laptop.

However, the result was inconsistent. Like I said before, the audio is very soft and there is a low humming interference with a high-pitch ringing. However, a while ago, the audio was crisp & fine for 1 tape with the same set-up. When I tried the second tape, everything returned to what it used to be (soft audio and such).

What I'm trying to do now is to figure out how did that happen, & if I fail to find out, I would like to find out if there's an alternate way to record audio directly.

[jimdagys]

You might try the trial software, Total Recorder, to help you record tapes.

[Gavino]

I have no idea what you're doing. You need to be explicit and precise.

As I understood it, using the phone was an attempt to isolate the source of the problem following your response:

Are you sure the player isn't at fault? Can you plug it into any other device? Stereo system, TV, etc.

However, instead of plugging the player into another device, he tried plugging another device (the phone) into his laptop.

You might try the trial software, Total Recorder, to help you record tapes.

That's a useful program to do the actual recording (an alternative would be Audacity, which is free), but it doesn't help with the connection problem.

[darkdestiny]

OK, I just went to buy another line-in cable by OFC (Japan brand), with gold plated jacks. When I tested it, it works fine!

[pandy]

OK, I just went to buy another line-in cable by OFC (Japan brand), with gold plated jacks. When I tested it, it works fine!

This is correct - previous cable can be corrupted.

MIC input is not very good as a universal input - MIC inputs are usually high sensitivity, noisy and most cases MONO, additionally power supply for active microphone (e.g. like electret type with FET transistor as impedance converter) is provided ie it can bias connection with +5V.

Line input is usually less noisy, able to deal with high level signals (better SNR and less THD) and it is STEREO - nowadays inputs can be outputs too (functionality is software/hardware controlled).

[jagabo]

There are also attenuating cables and adapters that allow high level outputs to work with low level inputs.

http://www.amazon.com/Sescom-LN2MIC-ZOOMH4N-Microphone-Attenuation-Cameras/dp/B004U3S1JA/
http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Shack-Attenuating-Dubbing-Cord/dp/B000LGAZVM/
http://www.amazon.com/RCA-Line-Level-Attenuator-dB/dp/B0002KRC5E/

[pandy]

but SNR will be always worse for MIC than for LINE - dynamic range is also lower (mostly around 45 - 60dB) for MIC, THD are usually much higher (0.2 - 1% for MIC vs 0.1% for LINE), bandwidth for MIC is usually also reduced (limited to 10 - 15kHz max).
Usually MIC input is also nonlinear (AGC at input)

[jagabo]

On audio equipment -- yes. On computers mic and line inputs are often the same input, just with more gain applied when used as a mic-in. Of course, if that was the case here the OP wouldn't need an attenuating cable!

[pandy]

Usually not - MIC line is usually separated and have dedicated amplifier optimized from MIC point of view - output is connected to crossbar and can be selected by software.

This is quite clearly visible on block schematic for example http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/data_sheets/AD1985.pdf good example how this functionality is implemented.

[edDV]

I tried connecting my phone's earphone jack to my laptop's microphone jack...

No phone is attached to the laptop.

I have no idea what you're doing. You need to be explicit and precise.

My main purpose is to transfer my audio cassette tapes to the computer so I can use them. I tried to use a line-in cable to connect the earphone jack of the tape recorder to the microphone jack of the laptop.

However, the result was inconsistent. Like I said before, the audio is very soft and there is a low humming interference with a high-pitch ringing. However, a while ago, the audio was crisp & fine for 1 tape with the same set-up. When I tried the second tape, everything returned to what it used to be (soft audio and such).

What I'm trying to do now is to figure out how did that happen, & if I fail to find out, I would like to find out if there's an alternate way to record audio directly.

Most audio cassette recorders have a line level output. As said above, headphone out is the wrong impedance and level to use with mic or line computer inputs. If you player has no line out, replace the player. If you can't get good results with your laptop audio inputs, add a USB audio capture device or mixer.

[pandy]

Once again - nowadays most AC 97 and similar codecs have auto-detect functionality - in theory they should detect impedance connected to receptacle and choose proper function (ie MIC input can be also line input however usually MIC is separate input due special requirements for micrphones).

This is list for all(?) http://www.idt.com/products/audio-products/high-definition-hd-audio-codecs IDT HD codecs thus for STAC9200 (lowest functionality codec but other should have similar functionality):

3.3. Universal JacksTM
IDT’s Universal JacksTM technology allows for the greatest flexibility in board design and implementation.
For the STAC9200 the Universal JacksTM capabilities are as follows
• All of the STAC9200 ports support:
• Line Out
• Line In
• Mic with 0/10/20/30/40 dB Mic Boost
• Ports A and D also support
• Headphone Out1
1Headphone capabilities are available on pins 39/41 and 35/36, but one should not put headphone
loads on both sets of pins at the same time.
Note: On the STAC9200 only one function can be selected at a time, you cannot have an input
and output at the same time on the same set of pins. This function can be changed at any time.

Source: IDT_STAC9200_DST_20080131.pdf

BTW
Sorry jagabo - this codec use multifunctional analog I/O thus You have partially right.

[jagabo]

Sorry jagabo - this codec use multifunctional analog I/O thus You have partially right.

Yes, that is what I was talking about. Most people use it -- because it's "free", included on just about every motherboard these days.

[pandy]

Sorry jagabo - this codec use multifunctional analog I/O thus You have partially right.

Yes, that is what I was talking about. Most people use it -- because it's "free", included on just about every motherboard these days.

My point was that there are two types of codecs on market - some use for MIC dedicated lines, some share same lines (even this codec offer low impedance output only on two lines).

[darkdestiny]

Seeing that my problem's solved and every single tape record is in my laptop, I would like to thank you guys for the suggestions.

It's probably 'cos it's not a good quality, or that it's only meant for line in. The ones that I bought are silver tinted 3.55mm male plugs. And the one that worked is called an Audio Cable, plus it's gold tinted. Maybe this "audio plug" only works for Earphone Out/Mic In connection?

[jagabo]

My point was that there are two types of codecs on market - some use for MIC dedicated lines, some share same lines (even this codec offer low impedance output only on two lines).

Of course there are. I wasn't disputing that. Any decent add-in audio card has separate circuits for mic and line.