Possible to use 1/8" mic input on my laptop WITHOUT getting tons of noise?

Hi all.

I just got MC5, downloaded it into my laptop, and proceeded to get ready to record.

(set-up my mic input level using the built in soundcard, set-up my audio input/output, ran the software profiler to see if my system was adequate for recording, etc.)

My levels are instantly clipping as soon as I arm a track for recording. This is even BEFORE plugging-in my guitar or keyboard. (levels are still clipping when stuff is plugged-in)

I have no fancy audio interface, so I am left using my laptop's built in 1/8" mic input.

I read that programs running in the background may cause this...but I can't tell which ones to shut off if that is indeed the case... how do I tell which programs are "non-essential"? All I have running in the background is stuff that is essential to my PC like my mouse or inherent windows-based functions.

Maybe I am completely missing something, or 1/8" built in mics always have this problem.

I'd appreciate anyone's thoughts on the matter!

Thanks very much.

I'm also unsure of what the problem actually is - clipping or noise, two totally different things with totally different solving schemes.

I guess at least you should check the windows mixers levels.

Or perhaps you're talking about a feedback loop? Could that be caused by laptops integrated microphone being abled? If the clipping occurs immediately after arming a track it might be a feedback. By clippinng, do you mean the meters jump to max and stay there without any movement? What do you hear during the clipping - a constant noise?

Hi again,

and thanks everyone for your input!

In reference to some of the questions:

The track level instantly peaks into the red as soon as a track is armed
I can hear the guitar or piano through the program when it is plugged into the 1/8" input...but there is a static/crackling noise as well.

When I go to adjust my computer's audio properties via the volume icon, it shows "Master Volume, Wave, SW Synth, CD Player, Mic Volume, PC Beep" and no "Line-in".

I have tried lowering the "Mic Volume" setting, but it has no effect on the recording input level in MC5.

I myself would greatly prefer a nice audio interface, but don't have extra money to spare for that at the moment!

When I try to record a track, it shows a sound wave being recorded (of my guitar or piano,) but there is so much crackling noise you can't hear it well at all during playback.

I have another laptop I can try the program out on; that one has dual processors, and perhaps I can load the program onto its own drive...and not run ANY programs in the background?

The computer I'm using now is an older Dell, 1.6 gh processor, .99gb RAM, XP Service Pack 3. Believe it or not, the hard-drive speed isn't given under Computer>System Information.

The other laptop is a Dell Inspiron, but I think it may have a faulty hard-drive...that's why I didn't install the program on that one to begin with.

"Master Volume, Wave, SW Synth, CD Player, Mic Volume, PC Beep" and no "Line-in".

 I think you are only looking at the playback levels. You need to look at the record levels, and be sure your input is set to mic and not line level. ( Some computers have a common input for both line and mic ).

"Master Volume, Wave, SW Synth, CD Player, Mic Volume, PC Beep" and no "Line-in". 

 I think you are only looking at the playback levels. You need to look at the record levels, and be sure your input is set to mic and not line level. ( Some computers have a common input for both line and mic ). 



Yes, you're right. I just listed all the possible audio options. In the Audio Recording box I just have "Mic Volume" and "Stereo Mix".


I tried lowering Mic Volume and that didn't affect the level on the track meter.

In a former version of cakewalk that used the windows sound mixer I had to set the record input levels very low... I'm talking about 1.5 or 2 on a scale of 1 to 10.... if I didn't, I got serious distortion too.

Indeed.
If Stereo Mix is selected as the recording source, and you enable Input Echo, a feedback loop is virtually guaranteed.
Since you are using XP, check this out. It may help.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=1370491