How loud are the recordings compared with something that, by default would be
about at the right volume such as your screen-reader? You have to make such
judgments. Others can't tell you to use x number. We don't know the levels of
the source or other factors that may be affecting levels. Set the level
anywhere it produces recordings at a good level. You may have recordings at
different levels you are copying. You can't assume that you can just set a
level and never change it. Although if you have the level set so that on your
loudest tape recordings, it doesn't use too high a level and result in
distortion, you can then record softer tapes and normalize the recording after
you do so. So you may be able to set it and forget it. But you are asking for
a formula where no one can give you one. Assuming your screen-reader is
playing at the level that audio would generally be considered a good level,
play around until you get recordings at about that level and do so on a tape
that you think is at the loudest recording level of your tapes.
Gene
----- Original Message -=----
From: Steve S (Redacted sender "sgsmg49" for DMARC)
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 9:35 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Okay folks, I’m finally getting somewhere. With the slider all the way down to
4 I’m getting good results of -4 to -8. Is there any issues recording with the
slider down this low or am I finally in happy recording mode now?
Steve
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jim Gamage ;(Redacted
sender "james.gamage" for DMARC)
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 9:40 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Hello,
I have been following this thread and it sounds like the signal is clipped
before you start, you need to reduce it at the mixer before going further, it
seems a strange device if this cannot be done.
Do you have an earphone socket on your cassette deck with a volume control? if
so, try connecting this to your mixer input using a stereo cable, this will, at
least let you adjust the output from the earphone socket and let you experiment
with all the other suggestions to set levels after the mixer.
I know this is nopt the real answer to the problem, but it will give you an
initial signal that is not clipped and, if you are getting a zero reading on
the meter, it is at best not ideal and is probably clipped.
Best Regards, Jim.
From: Andrew Downie
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 2:53 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Steve, I just reread your message. I previously thought you were getting
clipping but you said you are getting no activity in the meter. In case you
are not doing the following:
Tab to the recording meter
Press the application key and arrow to start monitoring
Start playing from your cassette deck
As you are using JAWS, tab away from the meter and back to it and it should
read the current peak.
If you get a result of 0, try pulling the recording level even lower. Before
doing another test, use the application key to stop monitoring the record meter
and then start monitoring again. You need to do that to reset the meter.
Just received your bedtime message. I am about to have lunch.
Andrew
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve S ;(Redacted
sender "sgsmg49" for DMARC)
Sent: Sunday, 30 July 2017 10:27 PM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Hello Andrew,
Yes, the slider is the record level slider in Audacity two tabs past the record
meter. The Behringer has a volume control but I believe its strictly for the
monitoring headphone jack. No, my tape deck has no controls for the line
output volume. I’m getting a fairly decent sounding recordingwith the slider
in the 10 range but no activity in the meter.
One thing I’ve noticed is that in the record device options in preferences my
only USB option is Microphone USB Audio codec. Is that correct that its
recognizing the Behringer as a microphone? Thanks again for the assistance
Steve
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Andrew Downie
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2017 6:21 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
I think his problem is that he cannot get the level below 0. Steve, some
questions.
The slider of which you speak, is that the one in Audacity? If so, that should
reduce the recording level coming in. Does your Behringer have a volume
control? If so, pull it back a long way. That will reduce the level of the
signal coming into Audacity. Does your tape deck have a way of controlling the
volume coming out through the cable? If so, that is another way of bringing
back the level.
Andrew
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sameer Vasta
Sent: Sunday, 30 July 2017 8:05 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Hi Steve
Oh my gosh, that question is way too complex for me, but I am sure someone else
on this list will be able to answer the question.
If I could venture a guess though, I would think that a reasonable level for
the gain slider for your application would be dependant on the volume of the
tape that you trying to record from. And I am also just guessing now, but try
between minus 18 and minus 24 DB and let me know what the results were.
Regards
Samer
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Steve S
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 3:26 PM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Hello Sameer,
Thank you so much. I’m up and running now. My test recordings sound much
better with this device. I’m still having trouble with the meters. No matter
what I do the recording meter says 0DB clipped. I’m missing something. I have
the recording slider down to 10. With a device of this nature what would be a
reasonable range for the slider. Thanks again.
Steve
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Sameer Vasta
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 2:37 PM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Hi Steve
Fortunately your issue appears to be rather simple to fix.
*. Go to the utilities menu in Jaws then select sound cards.
*. From the Sound cards menu select the soundcard that you use normally (note
please don’t choose the windows default sound card). From the 3 options that
are displayed on your system, it would appear that the middle 1 (speakers /
headphones high definition codec)is the 1 you need.
to choose.
That’s all. Your system should be up and running.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know what happens.
Regards
Sameer
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Steve S
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 10:41 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
HiGene,
There must be another setting we’re missing here. In the Sound Card sub menu
of Jaws Utilities I have three options:
1. Windows default sound card- this one is checked
2. Speaker/Headphone ( dt High Definition audio codec )
3. Communication Headphones ( DT High Definition Audio codec
When I plug in the device I get a fourth option:
4. Speakers ( USB Audio codec )
When the device is plugged in and the speech is gone the Windows Default Sound
Card is still checked.
In JAWS 18 Help there is no Sound Card Topic. This must be a common issue with
these devices with a simple solution but darned if I can find it. Thanks for
your’s and anyone elses help I can get.
Steve
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gene
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 11:13 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Here is a link to the information.
http://www.freedomscientific.com/downloads/JAWS/jaws10features
Once on the page, use the virtual find command to search for the word sound and
you will be right at the start of the section.
Gene
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve S (Redacted sender "sgsmg49" for DMARC)
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 9:43 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
Thanks Gene, I’ll start looking into it. If anyone has this info on the top of
their head I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Steve
From: audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:audacity4blind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gene
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 9:54 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Re: Recording Cassettes
All such devices and equipment that connects for recording sound is seen as a
sound card by Windows. It becomes the default sound card. You need to set
JAWS to only use the Internal soundcard, or whatever sound card you use, no
matter what Windows classifies as the default sound card. As long as the
device is connected, Windows uses it as though it were a sound card and makes
it the default sound card. Someone will very likely tell you how to tell JAWS
to only use one sound card. If they don't, I'll look up the information. But
there are likely people who already have it handy.
Gene
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve S (Redacted sender "sgsmg49" for DMARC)
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 8:24 AM
To: audacity4blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [audacity4blind] Recording Cassettes
Hello,
I recently purchased the Behringer u-phono 202 USB audio interface for
recording records and tapes to my Windows 7 laptop. When I plug in the device
my screen reader which is Jaws 18 is silenced leaving me helpless. Any
suggestions would be appreciated.
Steve
