Audio Level too low

[Doug B]

I've been using Tracktion on and off for 2 years now. In that time I was only using vst midi instruments.

Now I have started playing guitar and want to record it. I have a Lexicon Alpha USB external card. When I try and record the guitar, my signal chain is a Fender Strat into the Lexicon Instrument input. From there I go into Tracktion7 Track 1. I arm the track for recording, but the volume level at the bottom of the screen only reads -45dB. (This also happens when I plug the Strat into a Hotone Mojo Diamond 5w practice amp, then from the Diamond's line out to the instrument in of the Lexicon.)

Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?

Thanks heaps in advance.

Doug

[klangbastler]

where is the level-knob "line1/instr." set? is it fully at the right or somewhere inbetween? guitar full volume?

[klangbastler]

i've read in some shop-comment, that the instrument-input is pretty low in level.
but -45db with everything cranked up (if that's the case), seems a little too weak ...

[Doug B]

where is the level-knob "line1/instr." set? is it fully at the right or somewhere inbetween? guitar full volume?

Both are set at full on. I also tried 1/2 on at the 12 o'clock position.

[Doug B]

i've read in some shop-comment, that the instrument-input is pretty low in level.
but -45db with everything cranked up (if that's the case), seems a little too weak ...

Level is so low that it's not even being recorded in T7.
Assuming of course that I have T7 set up for recording audio correctly.

[Peter Widdicombe]

If you use the Diamond line out, it probably should go into the Lexicon's Line In. Remember to select LineIn on the Lexicon.

[Doug B]

If you use the Diamond line out, it probably should go into the Lexicon's Line In. Remember to select LineIn on the Lexicon.

No, sorry, that didn't work either. Level remains the same -45 dB.

[Peter Widdicombe]

Are you sure the Tracktion input for that track is set to Lexicon USB?
Does the Lexicon itself come with any setup utilities for the PC that may have the input level set too low?

If you go into the PC mixer itself (without loading Tracktion), can you enable the Lexicon input into the PC mixer, and hear the guitar through the PC speakers bypassing Tracktion? (right-click on volume control and Open volume control - you get a simple PC audio mixer).
On newer versions of Windows, the right-click should give you an option of seeing the input level directly; and there's even an option to control input gain. (right click on that device, and there's properties -> input levels).

[chico.co.uk]

Try recording into Audacity, see if you get the same low volume, recording from the instrument in (with nothing connected to the line ins at the back)

http://www.audacityteam.org

If so, there's an issue with the soundcard setup. If not, more likely an issue in the Tracktion input setup.

[Doug B]

Problem solved!

This is too embarassing for words. I took my Strat type guitar apart and resoldered the pickup connections. Now Tracktion 7 shows an input level of 0 dB! I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

[klangbastler]

great, this way you got some repair for your guitar!
good to hear it's solved

[jabe]

Problem solved!

This is too embarassing for words. I took my Strat type guitar apart and resoldered the pickup connections. Now Tracktion 7 shows an input level of 0 dB! I don't know whether to laugh or cry!

You'll be able to turn it down from 13 to 11 now.

[Peter Widdicombe]

It pays to have some way of monitoring at multiple points along your signal path, sometimes. You didn't notice this when plugged directly into your amp ?

[Mark Swanson]

Glad you got it solved! As a full time luthier and guitar repairman, I'll help you out if you need anymore advice.

[Doug B]

Glad you got it solved! As a full time luthier and guitar repairman, I'll help you out if you need anymore advice.

Thanks for the offer, Mark, but everything is working fine now.
(I have a sinking feeling that I shouldn't have said that!

Doug