The recorded volumes on my Jazz HDV178 are to loud and distorted. Is there any way to lower the recordeing level?

You can use a free software audio editing and recording program called Audacity. Using this program load your stereo track(s) into Audacity, then look in the effects menu and select normalize. Make sure to set highest loudness level to 0 db, which is the maximum digital volume level. You can hear the difference in volume when you use the test button. If you can't still get enough over all volume level with the normalize feature then you will need to compress and limit the stereo track, but I don't suggest getting your over all loudness levels that high because it ruins and lowers the dynamics of your music. Another words when you compress and boost the over all loudness of your album then all your music is at the same highest audio level which is very ear fatiguing. It may sound better to you at first at louder volume levels but you will quickly learn to hate it over time because it does not sound natural. That is why most music today is all about loudness and ear fatigue. And because of the loudness wars going on today every Record company is trying to have the loudest album out there thinking it will sell more copies. It is all false baloney, it really should be about the quality and dynamics of your sound instead of how loud it is.

I'm no expert in sound cards but I know some stuff about music recording, when sound is distorted you can see the wave you recorded as a flat in both top and bottom parts of the wave, this happens when the inpu to mic or "mic volume level" is too high, try decreasing the volume level of your mic via recording software or use the small speaker icon in the lower right part of windows taskbar to get to the windows default sound card's properties, get to the mic lever and lower it at will to get the desired volume level you need.

See if this solves your problem, if not don't hesitate to reply with some more info to see if I can help.

Please check if the source audio output volume isn't too high and also if the audio input isn't set at max volume, these may cause that recorded audio get distorted, the solution is to set a lower volume to a normal level if this is the case.

The input side is the end one adjusts for to ensure good audio capture without distortion.

One it's digital you can play it as loud as you like.

0 dB is the absolute maximum value the Analog-to-Digital-Converter can encode. If "OVER" lights up and stays on more than mometarily you will record a constant maximum level signal with a flat top rather than the nice sinusoidal waveform of real sound. THAT could cause audible distortion at best and severe speaker/amp stress at worst.

Your task is to attempt to set a level that anticipates those loud sounds and leaves a bit of room for the outbursts. CD has so much dynamic range you shouldn't have to worry about losing the signal in the noise floor of the process. Whispering wind and crickets to roaring jet engines on the same recording is possible.

The difficulty in enjoying the entire dynamic range of such a recording is to find an environment that is quiet enough to hear the soft sounds and having speakers capable of reproducing the loudest sounds without adjusting the volume.

There IS another solution. Dynamic compression or peak limiting of the input.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression

Go on eBay and search for dbx dynamic range compressors. They're available in pro and home-versions.

Some models have both selectable compression and expansion.

I personally own a lot of dbx home audio gear and I recommend it.

The input on your windows is set too high, or the volume on your output device (turntable is too high) either way the signal is too strong.

set either or both lower.

Ensure your webcam mic is set as default
Vista
TEST SPEAKERS
Right click on speaker icon in System Tray or from Control Panel
Select "Playback Devices"
The speaker icon ( checked as working) and volume level graph should be visible
Right click on the volume graph and click "Test"
Left hand speakers followed by right hand should be heard

SET DEFAULT & TEST MIC
Click "Recording" tab.
To set required (webcam) mic as default - click on mic font to highlight and click "Properties"
In lower dropbox display "Use this device enable" click 'OK'
Click "Levels" tab and ramp up sliders ( adjust to suit later)
Return to "Recording". Test mic by speaking and make sure volume graph displays

Restart computer

If the problem is due to feedback try using a set of headphones

it will not charge with a USB cable
the company that made them went out of business.
therefore there is no support or chance to get parts
i went to a ebay store called suntek and bought a charger, 2 batteries for less than $7
and they all work
just go to the suntek store and look for a np 60 type charger.
this is the battery type and it will work.

Press RECORD/PLAY Button to switch from Record Mode to Playback Mode.
The Playback Mode is for viewing and managing movies and pictures as well as listening to voice and
music on the built-in memory or on an optional memory card.

Operation Display Screen
Press RECORD/PLAY Button ( ) to switch
from Record Mode to Playback Mode Main Menu.
• There are 4 options in the Playback Mode, movie,
picture, music and voice.
• Direction Buttons can be used to select the
specific option.
• Press OK Button to view movies/pictures, listen to
voice or music.

The KAC-8401 has a bass boost switch. Be sure that is on +6dB setting.
Secondly, LPF (low pass filter) should be selected, with the crossover cutoff set to 60Hz.


Follow the instructions on this site for accurate tuning....
http://trussinme.com/Apps/audio/voltagecalc/default.asp



Manual For Download:
http://inform3.kenwoodusa.com/manuals/KAC8401.pdf

There is so much bad information and VOODOO going around the internet about how to set car audio amplifier gain controls that I thought I better write this. Gain controls on an amplifier are basically just small potentiometers (variable resistors) or volume controls if you will, that allow you to adjust the incoming signal to the amplifier so the amplifier works well with your headunit of choice or to match the level of other amplifiers in your system.
Its not rocket science to set the gains. Gains are like little volume controls, (I don't know why so many installers are taught that gains are NOT volume controls, when in fact that is EXACTLY what they are!) its super simple to just set them where the level sounds good to you.
With one amplifier its desirable to have a nice swing on your headunits volume control. Let me try to clarify this a little.
If we hook up a head unit with a 8volt (or more) output to an amplifier, then the volume will get loud very fast when we start to turn it up...In other words if our digital volume control goes from 1-30, then a HIGH VOLT output to an amplifier might make the amplifier reach full power at 5 on the volume scale... That kinda sucks cause it would be nice if you had a little more swing in your 1-30 range!
And by the same token a headunit with a LOW VOLT output might have to be turned up all the way to 30 and might still not quite drive the amplifier to full power... That sucks too!
A gain control in this case will allow you to adjust the amplifier so it allows the volume of a headunit to control the amplifier so it will get loud at a desirable point in the 1-30 swing... Usually about 3/4 the way up. We don't want it to get loud too fast as we wont have a good control as music levels differ. And we don't want it to have to be turned up all the way to get loud either, because since different music may be recorded at different levels if we set the gains for max output with one music source it might not get loud with a music source recorded at a lesser level.
So, by setting the gains so 3/4 turn of the headunits volume knob gets it LOUD gives you plenty of control and some extra above the 3/4 mark in case you get some music that's recorded at a lesser level...
To do this its easiest to do it by ear. No need to drag out the TEST TONES and OSCILLOSCOPES! They will do you absolutely no good.
One MYTH is how the gain controls will help to prevent amplifier distortion and amplifier clipping... That's simply not true, UNLESS you set the gains at a level where the headunit cannot possibly drive the amplifier to full power.. And even if you were to find this magic spot for your gain controls then (A) you would have to turn that volume control FULL SWING to get your system loud and (B) since many music sources (or disks) are not all recorded at the same level, its likely that if you have a disk recorded lower then you cant get it loud at all! and if you have a disk recorded louder then you can still surpass your magic spot... So in reality searching for this magic spot is fruitless! Dont waste your time...
In the early 80s when high fidelity car amplifiers were just starting to make the scene I worked with a pretty crazy installer that was kind of legendary around these parts... I wont mention his name but he was pretty highly respected at the time.. Well anyway, this crazy installer had heard that the amplifier gain control was to prevent amplifier clipping.. (still widely heard today).. Well this crazy installer set up EVERY CAR WE DID to the point where the gain control was so LOW that if you turned the head unit all the way up the amplifier WOULD NOT DISTORT.. And of course if you did turn the headunit all the way up the system would just be getting loud...
Customers would find that some cassettes would be recorded at a lower level and the music just wouldn't get loud enough... The Crazy installer would FLIP OUT and tell the customer that a REAL AUDIOPHILE doesn't want his music to distort or be that loud! The customers were NOT HAPPY and came to me to say "Gee Eddie, I don't want to make the other guy mad but can you adjust my system so it sounds good and please dont tell the other guy? Of course I said yes, and some of those customers from back in the early 80s are still my customers and they are sending sending their children to me for work as well.
SO, you see the only way the gains can be used to eliminate clipping or distortion will also limit your top end volume! And for most of us it is NOT DESIRABLE to do so.
As long as this is not done, it is just as possible to turn your system up to FULL power and beyond to clipping no matter where the gains are set....

1) if you are using the PC sound card to record this is where your hiss is coming from. you need to get a recording card that has low noise or some other recording USB input device to get CD quality recordings

OR

2) if you have to use your PC sound card check your PC volume level for line in, don't let it get high or it will distort. you will have to experiment with the MD4 levels and PC sound card level to find a good middle ground with low hiss and no distortion
and a singer that sings away from the mic to reduce distortion.


hope this helps
thanks for your rating