Microsoft Sound Mapper, Sound recorder inputs and volume settings

Easy Hi-Q Recorder by Roemer Software

Selecting Input Source and Setting Record Volume

Click Options

The first steps in using the recorder are to select which Recording Device and Input Source to use.
* Note: When Easy Hi-Q Recorder is opened for the first time, it selects the virtual recording device: Microsoft Sound Mapper which works in conjunction with your sound card. It also attempts to automatically select the "record any sound" input as the Input Source so you might not need to select the Device or Input initially to start recording.

Microsoft Sound Mapper comes with Windows and is basically a software/hardware interface. When selected in Easy Hi-Q Recorder, it uses your default sound card as the input recording device.

Recording Devices

Easy Hi-Q Recorder provides support for multiple sound cards. In the Recording Devices drop-down box you will see Microsoft Sound Mapper plus any sound cards that you have installed. Selecting the Microsoft Sound Mapper virtual recording device will make recordings using your default sound card. You can also select the sound card itself. If you have more than one sound card installed, you can also select any of those that you would like to record with.

Input Source

Select the Input Source from the drop-down box that is appropriate for the type of recording that you want to perform.

For most recording, such as streaming Internet audio, Internet radio, sound from videos, any type of broadcast from RealOne Player, Winamp, Windows Media Player, CD's, MP3's and many other sources, look for the "record any sound" input that has one of the following names: Stereo Mix, Stereo, Loopback, Wave, Wave Out Mix, What-U-Hear, Record Master or All. (The name of the input source varies according to what sound cards you have. There might be a different name that you'll have to look for if you don't see any of the names listed above). (There is no input source named "record any sound", it's a phrase).

To convert, (record), records, tapes, CD's, radio, DAT, Mini-Disc, video tape sounds, broadcast T.V. sounds, internal PC T.V. tuner sounds, telephone or from any external device, select Line In as the input source and adjust the volume. You'll need an appropriate patch-cord to connect the external device to your 1/8" stereo Line In jack on your sound card on the back of your computer. The type of patch-cord needed will vary by device. Some will use a double RCA to 1/8" stereo male, some will use 1/8" to 1/8" males or possibly other types. You can find what you need at an electronics store. Setting up devices differs between each type, there are many variations. Some can plug directly into your sound card jack and some need to connect to a receiver or amplifier first. There are too many variations in equipment and connections to list here. You can contact us from our support page for additional help if you need it.

Important note: Never connect high-level, (speaker) outputs from your external device to Line In on your computer. You will damage your sound card. Only use low-level, Line Out connections from your external device. If you don't have Line Out connections or aren't sure what to use, contact us from our support page for additional help.
To record live sound with a microphone, select Mic Volume as the input source. Plug the mic into the mic jack on the back of your computer and set the volume level.

Record Volume

There are two ways to adjust the recording volume, either automatically or manually.

While you are setting the volume level, play a louder portion of audio in the player or device that you will be recording from.

To Preview the record volume level at anytime, click Preview, then click Go. This activates the level meter on Recording Options and the meter on the main interface.

Watch the record level volume meter to determine the proper level. The ideal level is generally when the two blue bars are hovering over or are centered over the green line. You may find after some experimenting that you prefer to have it a little higher or lower.

To adjust manually, move the Record Volume slider up and down.

To adjust automatically, click Auto Set, then click Go. If Auto Set is already selected, click Go at anytime to adjust automatically. You can do this repeatedly until you achieve a setting that you like. The recorder will attempt to zero-in on the proper setting. It's important to be playing a louder passage while using this function. If the audio played is too soft, the slider will be driven too high.

If you find that moving the slider all the way up or down still won't get the level into the proper range, click the Play Volume button which opens your Windows Master Play volume controls and adjust the Wave setting. If you don't see Wave as a choice, click Options, Properties, then look for Wave in the list at the bottom. Put a check-mark next to Wave, click OK. Then you'll see Wave shown as one of the volume settings that can be used. Make sure it is not muted and that Mute all is not selected.

(If you ever have any recordings with no sound, check to make sure the proper Input Source is selected, and that the Play Master, Wave, Line In or other play volumes are not too low or are not muted).