Basic setup

In this setup, an audio source is connected to an input on your sound card, and your powered speakers are connected to a Line Out output. You could connect a computer microphone to your sound card's Mic In input, or you can connect line-level outputs from a tape deck or other source to a Line In input.

Basic setup with mixer/preamplifier

In this setup, your speakers and audio source are connected to a mixer or preamplifier. The mixer/preamplifier is then connected to Line In and Line Out connections on your sound card.

TIP If you're recording from a turntable, use a phono preamplifier between your turntable's output and your sound card's line input. Most turntables' outputs are phono-level (rather than line-level) outputs. Phono-level outputs are quieter then line-level outputs and have special equalization applied. A phono preamplifier will convert the phono-level signal to a line-level signal that you can record.

Digital input/output with MIDI synchronization

In this setup, an audio source with digital input/output is connected to a sound card with digital input and outputs. Dashed lines represent a sync connection from your audio source to a MIDI timecode converter to a MIDI card.

The Record tab in the Audio Preferences page allows you to choose the audio inputs from which you want to record. Before recording, you'll need to verify that your sound card's recording inputs are active.

The maximum number of channels recorded depends on the data window where you're recording. For example, if you enabled six inputs on the Record tab in Audio Preferences, you need to record into a six-channel data window to record all six inputs. If you record to a stereo data window, only two inputs will be recorded.

To choose your recording input, use the Audio tab in the Preferences dialog or click a channel number in the Record Options window and choose a new input port from the menu.

1. Ensure all cables are connected and that your audio source is generating a signal.

2. Adjust your recording levels:

   • If your audio device provides a console application to adjust levels, open the application and adjust its gain controls while monitoring the peak meters on the Meters tab in the recording dialog. Adjust the gain controls in the console application so Sound Forge Pro receives a strong signal with no clipping.

     For more information about using your sound card and its console application, please refer to the manufacturer's documentation.

   • If you're using your Windows sound card, perform the following steps to open the recording controls:

     1. Double-click the speaker icon in your system tray to open the Volume Control window.
     2. From the Options menu, choose Properties.
     3. Click the Recording radio button and click OK.
     4. Select (or unmute) the device from which you want to record.
     5. Adjust the Volume faders for the selected device and for the Master Record level while monitoring the recording meters in the Sound Forge Pro Record dialog.

        For example, if you want to record from an audio CD in your CD-ROM drive, the CD Mute check box should not be selected, and the CD and Master Record Volume faders must be adjusted so Sound Forge Pro receives a strong signal with no clipping.

Sound Forge Pro software can automatically adjust for any DC offset produced by your audio hardware during the recording process.

1. Set up your hardware. For more information see Recording Setup.

2. From the View menu, choose Record Options to open the Record Options window.

3. Click the Arm button on the main toolbar.

4. Ensure your recording input is quiet.

5. Select the DC adjust check box.

6. Click the Calibrate button.

If you change sound cards or are recording from different digital sources or at different sample rates, you should recalibrate the DC offset before recording.