USB recording

JoP wrote on 3/5/2025, 9:11 AM

I want to record and clean up some cassette tapes (magnetic tape). I can't get it to record from USB. I get the voice part but not the recording in entirety. The only way I get a wave form is when I turn on the microphone on my laptop. But turning on the microphone I also record ambient sound. Turning off microphone stops recording and I get a straight line with no waveform. I have a pre amp (USB PHONO PLUS) hooked up that is sending a signal to USB port. It only works with microphone turned on (on laptop) then I get the ambient sound. How can I isolate the USB port to record the entire audio tape? I have windows 11 enterprise. I have SoundForge set for cassette.

Comments

rraud wrote on 3/5/2025, 10:08 AM

I get the voice part but not the recording in entirety

I am not sure of your query. Do you mean Sound Forge stops recording at a certainpoint or will it only record the voice and not other instruments? 'Phono' preamps have the RIAA EQ which will alter the sound. Otherwise it could be a phase issue if it is being converted from stereo to mono.
If SF will not record sound at all.. does the record volume meter show input in the 'View> Record Options' window? Is the USB source enabled in Windows sound 'record' setting. Confirm the USB is selected in Sound Forge 'Options> Preferences> Audio' device menu?

btw, welcome to the Magix Sound Forge users community @JoP.

JoP wrote on 3/5/2025, 12:01 PM

It only recorded voice, not instruments. But I have to have the microphone on, if I don’t it records nothing. With the microphone on it records voice from tape and picks up noise in room. The USB pre-amp is designed for recording purposes via USB. I know this because I used it before and was able to record vinyl (records). I have SF set for cassette (tape). I don’t know what to do. I looked in Help file but it wasn’t specific to what I am experiencing. Thank You for answering.

SP. wrote on 3/5/2025, 12:42 PM

@JoP Select your USB cassette player as the default recording device in the Windows sound settings. Currently it's your microphone.

emmrecs wrote on 3/5/2025, 1:22 PM

@JoP

I know this because I used it before and was able to record vinyl (records)

I have a pre amp (USB PHONO PLUS)

Unless I'm misunderstanding the naming conventions of your pre-amp, as @rraud implied in his earlier reply to you, it would appear your unit is actually what its name suggests, a pre-amp to be used with a record player. If so, it is NOT designed to be used with a cassette player. You need a USB Audio Interface, which includes some sort of line-level inputs, in order to successfully transfer the audio from the cassette tapes to Sound Forge.

Jeff
Forum Moderator

johnebaker wrote on 3/6/2025, 2:02 AM

@JoP

Is the 'USB PHONO PLUS' this device: Art with both line in and microphone inputs.

If so, in Sound Forge the recording input should be set to the driver for this device.

Additionally check that the Let desktop apps access your microphone option in Windows settings, Privacy & Security, App permissions section, Microphone is turned on.

You may need to scroll down to see this option, there is another similar option 'Let apps access your microphone'.

Thes 2 options control all audio input not just the Microphone.

In addition to @emmrecs comment, how are you feeding the signal from the cassette player to the 'USB PHONO PLUS'.

John EB
Forum Moderator