converting a tape record into WAV/MP3 with AUDACITY

[technics_]

Hello. I am new, and have tried to convert a tape record into a digital file by using Audacity: I plugged the cables from a walkman to the computer. The tape was palying while Audacity was recording. All correct except for a very important thing: While the tape cound is very good, the sound quality of the WAV file is very poor. The original sound is like "saturated", not 100% clear.
There must be some parameter on Audacity I don´t know how to manage with. Could you help me, please? Thanks

[fortyseven]

Please expand on what you call 'very poor' sound. Is it distorting? Is it too soft? Attach a sample clip to this post if possible.

[technics_]

Hello

Thanks for your answer. The recording is a voice, and when I said "very poor" I was referring to that type of sound you hear for example when you are tunning in a radio station which is, let´s say at 100 FM but dial is not 100% adjusted and it is about 1mm near the exact point where the station point number is(let´s say, it is at 99.9 FM). You hear the voice but not 100% clean, it is a little distorted although you can hear and understand in perfectly.

Hope this helps

[jagcmos]

What happens when you adjust the level coming from the player ?

Since the signal is coming from a headphone output, make sure that it is going into a line level input jack on the computer
and not a microphone input.

[technics_]

Hello. Thanks for your answer. Sorry for my great lack of experience but how could I do that? :s

[fortyseven]

It seems your input volume is too high. Plug your headphones out from the walkman into the line in on the pc. Turn the volume of the walkman all the way down and open up the sound properties of your computer and do the same for the line in channel. Open up Audacity, hit record and press play on the walkman. Obviously you wont get any signal but slowly adjust the both volumes up until you get the volume right. It will take a few minutes effort and make sure that the actual graphical representation of the waveform does not clip (go over the lines at the top and bottom). There is also an input monitor and an input volume in Audacity which you can use to help you get the signal just right.

[dan421]

At the top of audacity there is a input selector choose line level not mic and if your computer has 2 sets of 1/8'' inputs you should be using the line level input there as well. and try again keeping your walkman output level down as well.

[technics_]

hello. I use windows vista. do you know were to find the sound propertieso in mi PC? It is the loudspeakers icon on the low right corner where is a up down regulator for volume? thanks

[dan421]

I am not totally sure as my PC lap top running vista just died now I am all Mac a g5 a g4 and a new intel macbook. From what I can remember you dont need to even go to the PC's sound properties but you access a PC's sound properties from Windows control panel if you switch that awful vista screen to classic veiw in control panel you will see a sound properties icon.