Recording from an audio input device
You can easily capture (record) audio from an audio input device, such as a microphone or stereo.
To record from analog sources:
1 Use appropriate cabling to connect the analog equipment to your computer. Connect stereo equipment, such as a phonograph or tape player, to the Line In connection on your sound card.
Warning: To prevent possible equipment damage, refer to the manuals that came with your audio equipment to determine the appropriate source and line out connections.
Tip: If recording from a turntable, use an amplifier/receiver with a Phono input. Most turntables do not provide a strong enough signal to plug directly into a computer sound card.
2 In the task area, under Add to Project, click Record Audio.
The Record Audio dialog box appears. The meters in the Record Audio dialog box “light up” to indicate peak level.
3 Set the following options, as required:
n Capture From: Select your sound card from the list.
n Input (if available): Select your audio input channel. For example, if you want to record your voice using a microphone, select “Microphone.”
n Recording Level: Drag the slider to increase or decrease the recording volume. If the volume is too high, distortion may result. If the volume is too low, the resulting sound may be less than optimal.
Adjust the recording level so that the meter indicators light up only to the middle of the meter, passing the middle only occasionally. If all of the meter indicators stay lit persistently, the recording level has passed the zero dB clipping point, and is too “hot”. If this occurs, reduce your recording level.
If you want Record Audio to automatically find a recording level that does not clip, click Auto. Record Audio uses the highest possible recording level. If clipping occurs, Record Audio reduces the recording level. If no clipping occurs at this new recording level, this level is used.
n Balance: Drag the slider to balance the audio level between the left and right speakers.
n Capture settings: To define customized settings, including file format, encoder type, bit rate, automatic track detection, and file location, click Options.
4 Start playing your source audio.
5 Click Record to start recording.
6 When the analog source finishes playing, click Stop to stop recording.
7 When you finish recording, click Done.
Note: If you plan to make further edits to your recording, you should save your recording in WAV format to retain full audio fidelity. When you have finished making changes to the recording, you can reduce the file size by converting it to one of the compressed formats, and then delete the original WAV file.