distorted sound in W7 mike recording

Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
When I use my laptop's external mike input to record from a DVR, the
recorded sound plays back very distorted.
I do notice that when recording (using Debut video recording software),
the sound meter seems to be constantly in the red but I do not know
where to change that.

If I record the sound just using the built in screen mike (not the mike
input port) the recorded sound is clear. But I need to use the mike
*port* to record directly from the DVR)

In Device manager, under Sound, video and game controllers I find 2 entries:
a) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
Device driver is IDT, 3/23/10, version 6.10.6276.0

b) Intel(R) Hi Definition Audio HDMI
(probably irrelevant) Intel(R), 7/1-/09, version 6.10.1.2077

Not sure where to find the external mike driver. I believe it must be (a).

Thanks for any help. Jeff

d wrote:
> Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
> When I use my laptop's external mike input to record from a DVR, the
> recorded sound plays back very distorted.
> I do notice that when recording (using Debut video recording software),
> the sound meter seems to be constantly in the red but I do not know
> where to change that.
>
> If I record the sound just using the built in screen mike (not the mike
> input port) the recorded sound is clear. But I need to use the mike
> *port* to record directly from the DVR)
>
> In Device manager, under Sound, video and game controllers I find 2
> entries:
> a) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
> Device driver is IDT, 3/23/10, version 6.10.6276.0
>
> b) Intel(R) Hi Definition Audio HDMI
> (probably irrelevant) Intel(R), 7/1-/09, version 6.10.1.2077
>
> Not sure where to find the external mike driver. I believe it must be (a).
>
> Thanks for any help. Jeff

A lot of HDaudio chips, support "retasking". The hardware
widget, can in principle be run at "microphone" amplification
level or "line" level. For recording from a DVR, you want
"line" level. Otherwise, there may be sufficient gain
involved, to introduce clipping and distortion.

When I plug a microphone into my SoundMax, a dialog pops up
asking me what it is. I tested this just now. I plugged
a microphone into one of the Speaker ports on the SoundMax
faceplate. A dialog box popped up, with options such as
"Speakers", "Microphone", "Line Input", so in fact the
dialog is asking me whether it is an output or an input,
and via the last two options, what level of amplification
it requires. With the "Microphone" option, it'll be
applying an unstated amount of boost (maybe 20dB).

The IDT is what you want (the Intel is just an output),
and either there will be a popup dialog box, of if jack
detection didn't exist, you'd need whatever IDT/Sigmatel
offers as a control panel.

(An IDT control panel - no idea what functions hide in here)

http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png

Paul

On 7/10/11 2:55 PM, Paul wrote:
> d wrote:
>> Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
>> When I use my laptop's external mike input to record from a DVR, the
>> recorded sound plays back very distorted.
>> I do notice that when recording (using Debut video recording
>> software), the sound meter seems to be constantly in the red but I do
>> not know where to change that.
>>
>> If I record the sound just using the built in screen mike (not the
>> mike input port) the recorded sound is clear. But I need to use the
>> mike *port* to record directly from the DVR)
>>
>> In Device manager, under Sound, video and game controllers I find 2
>> entries:
>> a) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
>> Device driver is IDT, 3/23/10, version 6.10.6276.0
>>
>> b) Intel(R) Hi Definition Audio HDMI
>> (probably irrelevant) Intel(R), 7/1-/09, version 6.10.1.2077
>>
>> Not sure where to find the external mike driver. I believe it must be
>> (a).
>>
>> Thanks for any help. Jeff
>
> A lot of HDaudio chips, support "retasking". The hardware
> widget, can in principle be run at "microphone" amplification
> level or "line" level. For recording from a DVR, you want
> "line" level. Otherwise, there may be sufficient gain
> involved, to introduce clipping and distortion.
>
> When I plug a microphone into my SoundMax, a dialog pops up
> asking me what it is. I tested this just now. I plugged
> a microphone into one of the Speaker ports on the SoundMax
> faceplate. A dialog box popped up, with options such as
> "Speakers", "Microphone", "Line Input", so in fact the
> dialog is asking me whether it is an output or an input,
> and via the last two options, what level of amplification
> it requires. With the "Microphone" option, it'll be
> applying an unstated amount of boost (maybe 20dB).
>
> The IDT is what you want (the Intel is just an output),
> and either there will be a popup dialog box, of if jack
> detection didn't exist, you'd need whatever IDT/Sigmatel
> offers as a control panel.
>
> (An IDT control panel - no idea what functions hide in here)
>
> http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png
>
> Paul
Thanks for replying mike.

Excuse the newbie questions, but I am new to recording.

I am using a unmodified HP dv6-1375 laptop. No access to the sound card
other than the mike port in the front.

I do not know where to change the microphone amp level to line input
instead of microphone level. I get no such helpful popup. On checking my
system I noticed that in Control Panel/Sound under the recording tab I
have 3 entries:
a) External Mic (which is what I am using)
b) Integrated Microphone array (not sure what that is)
c) Stereo Mix (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC) which is "currently
unavailable.

If I check (a)'s Levels I see they are both set at their midranges:
- External Mic 55
- Microphone Boost +10.0 db

I am guessing that one or the other is too high but am not sure.

Finally how do I get something like this panel:
http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png

Thanks for helping.

On 7/10/11 2:55 PM, Paul wrote:
> d wrote:
>> Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
>> When I use my laptop's external mike input to record from a DVR, the
>> recorded sound plays back very distorted.
>> I do notice that when recording (using Debut video recording
>> software), the sound meter seems to be constantly in the red but I do
>> not know where to change that.
>>
>> If I record the sound just using the built in screen mike (not the
>> mike input port) the recorded sound is clear. But I need to use the
>> mike *port* to record directly from the DVR)
>>
>> In Device manager, under Sound, video and game controllers I find 2
>> entries:
>> a) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
>> Device driver is IDT, 3/23/10, version 6.10.6276.0
>>
>> b) Intel(R) Hi Definition Audio HDMI
>> (probably irrelevant) Intel(R), 7/1-/09, version 6.10.1.2077
>>
>> Not sure where to find the external mike driver. I believe it must be
>> (a).
>>
>> Thanks for any help. Jeff
>
> A lot of HDaudio chips, support "retasking". The hardware
> widget, can in principle be run at "microphone" amplification
> level or "line" level. For recording from a DVR, you want
> "line" level. Otherwise, there may be sufficient gain
> involved, to introduce clipping and distortion.
>
> When I plug a microphone into my SoundMax, a dialog pops up
> asking me what it is. I tested this just now. I plugged
> a microphone into one of the Speaker ports on the SoundMax
> faceplate. A dialog box popped up, with options such as
> "Speakers", "Microphone", "Line Input", so in fact the
> dialog is asking me whether it is an output or an input,
> and via the last two options, what level of amplification
> it requires. With the "Microphone" option, it'll be
> applying an unstated amount of boost (maybe 20dB).
>
> The IDT is what you want (the Intel is just an output),
> and either there will be a popup dialog box, of if jack
> detection didn't exist, you'd need whatever IDT/Sigmatel
> offers as a control panel.
>
> (An IDT control panel - no idea what functions hide in here)
>
> http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png
>
> Paul
Found mine:
http://www.orthohelp.com/example/IDT%20panel.JPG

What do I now do with it?

Jeff

d wrote:

> Found mine:
> http://www.orthohelp.com/example/IDT%20panel.JPG
> What do I now do with it?

Turn the mic boost down with the slider

Does anything happen if you click the icon of the front panel mic jack?

d wrote:

>>
>> (An IDT control panel - no idea what functions hide in here)
>>
>> http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png
>>
>> Paul

> Found mine:
> http://www.orthohelp.com/example/IDT%20panel.JPG
>
> What do I now do with it?
>
> Jeff

If possible, turn down the microphone boost.

Microphone boosts work two ways.

In the "old days", it was "fixed boost" plus "slider" for
the volume. You turned off the "fixed boost", and the
gain would drop 20dB.

On the newer HD audio codecs, the gain may effectively
be like "two sliders". That's at the hardware level.
But for semi-consistency with what people may have
seen in the past, the control panel may have a "coarse"
control, changing boost in fairly large chunks,
or simply stating that you can turn the 20dB boost
on and off if you want.

You need "less gain", to bring your input signal
back within the dynamic headroom of the hardware.
That will stop the clipping and distortion.

A recording application, one with a "VU meter", can
show clipping graphically. I use "Audacity" from
sourceforge, as an example of such a tool, which
happens to have a VU meter, and turns red when there
is clipping. Maybe there is something in Windows
that can show that info, but I don't remember
it right off hand.

I've tried using Windows Sound Recorder in the past,
and it worked, but it wasn't exactly the most friendly
or flexible software. I use Sound Recorder, in situations
where Audacity is already doing "Playback", and I need
to simultaneously run a recording function. In some
situations then, I use two applications to do what
needs doing. I would "calibrate" my recording setup
with Audacity, make sure the controls are all set
right, before using an application like Sound
Recorder, which might not have a VU meter.

HTH,
Paul

On 7/10/11 5:26 PM, Sunny Bard wrote:
> d wrote:
>
>> Found mine:
>> http://www.orthohelp.com/example/IDT%20panel.JPG
>> What do I now do with it?
>
> Turn the mic boost down with the slider
>
> Does anything happen if you click the icon of the front panel mic jack?
>
Will do. Is it just trial and error?
The mike is not connected now, so it just says "unconnected"

On 7/10/11 5:30 PM, Paul wrote:
> d wrote:
>
>>>
>>> (An IDT control panel - no idea what functions hide in here)
>>>
>>> http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png
>>>
>>> Paul
>
>> Found mine:
>> http://www.orthohelp.com/example/IDT%20panel.JPG
>>
>> What do I now do with it?
>>
>> Jeff
>
> If possible, turn down the microphone boost.
>
> Microphone boosts work two ways.
>
> In the "old days", it was "fixed boost" plus "slider" for
> the volume. You turned off the "fixed boost", and the
> gain would drop 20dB.
>
> On the newer HD audio codecs, the gain may effectively
> be like "two sliders". That's at the hardware level.
> But for semi-consistency with what people may have
> seen in the past, the control panel may have a "coarse"
> control, changing boost in fairly large chunks,
> or simply stating that you can turn the 20dB boost
> on and off if you want.
>
> You need "less gain", to bring your input signal
> back within the dynamic headroom of the hardware.
> That will stop the clipping and distortion.
>
> A recording application, one with a "VU meter", can
> show clipping graphically. I use "Audacity" from
> sourceforge, as an example of such a tool, which
> happens to have a VU meter, and turns red when there
> is clipping. Maybe there is something in Windows
> that can show that info, but I don't remember
> it right off hand.
>
> I've tried using Windows Sound Recorder in the past,
> and it worked, but it wasn't exactly the most friendly
> or flexible software. I use Sound Recorder, in situations
> where Audacity is already doing "Playback", and I need
> to simultaneously run a recording function. In some
> situations then, I use two applications to do what
> needs doing. I would "calibrate" my recording setup
> with Audacity, make sure the controls are all set
> right, before using an application like Sound
> Recorder, which might not have a VU meter.
>
> HTH,
> Paul
Thank you very much. Again!

In message <ivcrg8$cpv$>, ""
<> writes:
>Windows 7 home premium 64 bit
>When I use my laptop's external mike input to record from a DVR, the
>recorded sound plays back very distorted.

What does DVR stand for? If it's something digital, why are you going
via an analogue input anyway?

>I do notice that when recording (using Debut video recording software),
>the sound meter seems to be constantly in the red but I do not know
>where to change that.
>
>If I record the sound just using the built in screen mike (not the mike
>input port) the recorded sound is clear. But I need to use the mike
>*port* to record directly from the DVR)
>
>In Device manager, under Sound, video and game controllers I find 2 entries:
>a) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
> Device driver is IDT, 3/23/10, version 6.10.6276.0
>
>b) Intel(R) Hi Definition Audio HDMI
> (probably irrelevant) Intel(R), 7/1-/09, version 6.10.1.2077
>
>Not sure where to find the external mike driver. I believe it must be (a).
>
>Thanks for any help. Jeff

Unless the port _can_ be persuaded to become a line in port, as others
have suggested, you're stuck; mic inputs (pink sockets) on PCs, which
are often the only input there is on laptops, are (a) mono (b) designed
for a low-level input, as from a mike, and will be overloaded by a
line-level input.

If you can't get it to act as a line in (which might well be impossible;
it might be hardwired. I think line-in sockets are blue), you'll need an
external sound unit. There are plenty around, that connect to a USB
port, though the cheap ones only have line/speaker out (pale green) and
mic in (pink), which won't get you anywhere you aren't already, so make
sure you get one that explicitly includes a line in input.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G.5AL-IS-P--Ch++(p)Ar@T0H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Santa's elves are just a bunch of subordinate Clauses.

On 7/10/11 5:30 PM, Paul wrote:
> d wrote:
>
>>>
>>> (An IDT control panel - no idea what functions hide in here)
>>>
>>> http://mallow.wakcdn.com/screenshots/2384/big.png
>>>
>>> Paul
>
>> Found mine:
>> http://www.orthohelp.com/example/IDT%20panel.JPG
>>
>> What do I now do with it?
>>
>> Jeff
>
> If possible, turn down the microphone boost.
>
> Microphone boosts work two ways.
>
> In the "old days", it was "fixed boost" plus "slider" for
> the volume. You turned off the "fixed boost", and the
> gain would drop 20dB.
>
> On the newer HD audio codecs, the gain may effectively
> be like "two sliders". That's at the hardware level.
> But for semi-consistency with what people may have
> seen in the past, the control panel may have a "coarse"
> control, changing boost in fairly large chunks,
> or simply stating that you can turn the 20dB boost
> on and off if you want.
>
> You need "less gain", to bring your input signal
> back within the dynamic headroom of the hardware.
> That will stop the clipping and distortion.
>
> A recording application, one with a "VU meter", can
> show clipping graphically. I use "Audacity" from
> sourceforge, as an example of such a tool, which
> happens to have a VU meter, and turns red when there
> is clipping. Maybe there is something in Windows
> that can show that info, but I don't remember
> it right off hand.
>
> I've tried using Windows Sound Recorder in the past,
> and it worked, but it wasn't exactly the most friendly
> or flexible software. I use Sound Recorder, in situations
> where Audacity is already doing "Playback", and I need
> to simultaneously run a recording function. In some
> situations then, I use two applications to do what
> needs doing. I would "calibrate" my recording setup
> with Audacity, make sure the controls are all set
> right, before using an application like Sound
> Recorder, which might not have a VU meter.
>
> HTH,
> Paul
I think I fixed it!!

On the IDT panel, the boost was either none or 10 (or more). So, setting
the boost to 0 and lowering the mike slider at the bottom I got decent
undistorted and good loud sound.

Thank you so much.