low recorded volume using line-in

[cfmoore]

Using an internal SoundBlaster Live! 24bit sound card, the recorded volume barely goes past -6db (with 0db being recorded max) even with the volume levels set to maximum.

If I record with the AC97 (and SB disabeled) the volume max goes to zero with a - volume setting of only 2 out of 10.

Using SB

- the motherboard sound (AC97) is disabled.

- selecting the Microsoft Sound Mapper the same volume condition results.

- tried recording with different recording software but no change.

- checked the volume settings through the XP control panel "Sounds, speech and audio devices".

- I downloaded the most current SB driver, 5.12.1.514, dated 2007 but the driver did not change the recorded volume.  (I am using 5.12.1.314, june 2004)

My motherboard is 5 years old (unknown type), the processor is AMD at 1.75ghz, using XP (SP2)

[Geek-9pm]

Has it always done this?
What does the manual say about the Line input?
By convention "0 db" is .707 bolts RMS on a 600 ohm load.
It is calle0" 0 dbm"  in the industry.
The output of a studio mixer is often set at +18 dbm on peaks, which is pretty hot.

Best guess, the input jack is damaged or warped.
Or is is not the same kind of jack.

[rthompson80819]

What's it doing, or not doing, that is a problem.  -6dbm by it's self is not necessarily a problem, depends on what the hardware and software need.

dbm for audio and microwave, and dbmv for RF, are frequently misused as just db (I do it all the time).

db is actually the ratio between two levels of signal.  For instance, the difference between -6dbm and 6 dbm is 12db.

Depending on the application, levels can be well into the minus and still be useable.

[cfmoore]

Geek-9pm, you refering to the blue line-in jack on the SB card and not the jackend of the cable going into the SB?  If so, the most likely cause of the low volume is a damaged SB card and not a conflict with other hardware or software?

The SB user's manual does not address line-in other than showing the location of the jack and needing a 3.5mm stereo plug male end.  The Creative website does not address further.

The SB plays perfectly for listening to music but recording is the problem.  Recording using max volume causes sound quality to suffer (S/N ratio and THD) than if lower volume is used.  Also, using the normalize function to go from -6db/-5db peak to 0db also affects sound quality.

I want to replace the SB with a better card but I was concerned (and thus posted on Computer Hope) that even with a new card, I would still have the same low volume condition.  But if the present problem is not being caused by a conflict with other hardware or software, I can go ahead with deciding on a new card.

[Geek-9pm]

Your built-in audio system needs to be completely disabled. And you have to reboot Windows. In fact, you may have to go to B. I OS and make sure the built-in audio with disabled. Then reboot the machine. But it would be strange if only the line input was not working right. That would be rather odd.
Still, after you have made sure the AC 97 is completely disabled, then again try some tests on the Sound Blaster. And bear in mind, that has two sets of settings. One for recording, the other for playback. In recording you can only select one source. But in playback you can have the line input and other things selected at the same time. So in the listening mode you could open the line input and try some experiments with the plug-in pack maybe hook it up to your MP3 player and try to going to the line input out of your MP3 or iPod and the level out of the MP3 and iPod is usually at least a whole personal so there should be plenty of level and then you can jiggle the check in and out and see if there's some kind of intermittent condition with the plug-in jack interface. That's my best guess.
And remember, when you make changes of the disabling one card you have to reboot the system. But you know already. That was said for the benefit of other people reading this post.
If indeed there is something wrong with the input jack of the Sound Blaster here only remedy is try to return it to the manufacture and tell them what you found.
Again, what I'm telling you to do is to play somebody is for the line input while you are in the listening mode, not the recording mode. Then see what kind level should have to have begin normal volume out of the line input on the Sound Blaster. And jiggle the jackal of a better way to look around I mean legal to plug around and there's a possibility if the jack is not quite as making proper contact that may be moving the plug around a little bit well that let's you know you'll hear sudden blast of sound out of the speaker if that's the case.
Tere may be some funny grammar in this. I did this with my voice recognition software and I was in a little bit of a hurry as they want to get back to watching a movie I was enjoying I can later in our so.