Recording line in with Soundforge, and Audiophile 24/96 Options

[evereux]

I'm having a problem recording the output from my CD player through the line in of my soundcard, the Midiman Audiophile (Window's XP).

The problem is distortion. I can't seem to find a way to attenuate the line level input in soundforge and this is causing clipping.

I'm beginning to wonder if this can be removed since during normal playback (through PC) I also get audible clipping, even when the line in is attenuated using Midiman's control panel. I suspect the Midiman doesn't like the output levels of my CD player?

I'm quite sure the input signal itself isn't a problem since playback direct through my amplifier reveals no clipping.

Any ideas?

[AndyH-ha]

I have to admit I have not read this very closely, but it seems there are some ideas that, in some sense the source equipment, or the soundcards, are not quite proper. I just want to point out that adjusting the input level is not a soundcard job and adjusting the output level is not normally a source device job.

I can't speak to what those gaming-multimedia cards might or might not do, but any kind of professional or semi-pro line level input expects a controlled line level input -- it is supposed to already be correct when it reaches the soundcard. Microphone preamps have a gain control, and that can be sufficient for microphone input, but phono preamps, CD player and tape deck line-outs, or any other such sources, do not normally have this control potential. Certainly it can exist as an add-on but it is not part of the normal ‘definition' of the source.

Analogue mixers are the standard professional method of controlling the signal level. Microphone preamps are also most commonly run throug mixers on their way to wherever they will be used or recorded. Mixers can often do quite a few different things. The part that is relevant here is the line level preamplifier. Any line level preamp can be used in exactly the same way but HiFi line level preamps are generally far more expensive than basic mixers and, for this kind of use, provide nothing significant for all that extra money. Of course, full featured, many channeled professional mixers can be very expensive, but ones that give full control, and very good results, with two channels are widely available and not terribly expensive.