Recording on new laptop

[m_bisson]

Heyo. Just got a Dell laptop yesterday and I'm having issues recording.
I'm using the SAME setup as on my desktop:
Fruity Loops + 1/4" ->1/8" plug for my bass. Plugging directly into the Mic/line-in jack. The sound software that came with the laptop differentiates between "mic" and "line-in" and allows you to choose which setting you want. I chose line-in.

It all works fine, and I can hear playback through the tiny little speakers, but when I record into FL I get a lot of noise in the background. The levels are at about 30% of the max when I'm not playing anything on the bass. I don't hear this static when I'm listening to live playback, only after I play a recorded bit. I'm not sure where this is coming from... Any 'mic boost' option I could find has been turned off.

Does anyone know what's causing this?

I recorded at 48000 using the ASIO setting in fruity loops.

[Charling]

Hmm ok. By live playback do you mean when input monitoring is on, auditioning your sound but before pressing record?

Its interesting that its different.

The line input is likely to need to be cranked to bring a bass up to recordable level, and the line input on a stock pc soundcard is probably gonna have a bit of noise when cranked. However you would probably hear this noise whenever you are listening to the signal, not just on record..

Either way, you should try the mic input, a bit more suitable for a non pre-amped bass!

If it still does it then I'm not sure. Its possible the soundcard has some kind of in-built hardware monitoring so you are hearing your audio direct in then out when auditioning, but playing back you are hearing a separate feed... unlikely however, and you would still hear the noise either way I would imagine, as it would be coming from the inputs amp.

Is your track in FL free of effects etc?

generally though, a nice little interface will most likely sort the problem, may be a worthy investment. But it would be nice to work out whats going on in your current setup...

[m_bisson]

yeah, that part I can't figure out either. No static during the monitoring, but it shows up during recorded playback. I'll fiddle around with the settings and see if I can make itbetter/worse.


Update: I plugged in some headphones to watch a movie, and i hear static when there shouldn't be any noise. Googled it and I guess there's a problem with shielding or something? This makes sense now. I'll call Dell tomorrow and see what they say. I didn't drop $1000 on a new laptop so I could get half-assed sound.

[magneezius]

could have something to do with the A/D conversion using only the computer as your pre-amp....probably need to get an audio interface with decent pre-amps.

[m_bisson]

Turns out I'm not the only one with this problem. Dell support forums have people constantly reporting this issue. Looks like I'll be sending the laptop in to get fixed.... hopefully.