CAKEWALK PRO AUDIO, User Manual, Page: 63 / 604

2-25
Getting Started
Setting Up an Audio Track
LetÕs set up a track for digital audio.
Checking the Input Levels
Before trying to record, you need to check and adjust the audio input
levels. If your audio input is too low, it will be lost in the background
noise. If it is too high, it will overload the input channel and be distorted/
clipped.
Here's how to check the audio input levels:
1. In the Track pane, in the first available empty track, double-click
the Name column and enter a name for your new track.
2. Double-click in the Source column and set the Source in the Track
Properties dialog box to your sound card’s audio input.
1. Open the Console view and click the Arm button in your new
audio track. An audio meter will appear next to the track's
volume fader.
2. Perform as you would during recording. Watch the meters
respond to the sounds you produce.
3. If the meters never come even close to the maximum, increase
the input level using the Windows mixer or your sound card’s
software mixer.
4. If the meters even occasionally reach the maximum, decrease the
input level using the Windows mixer or your sound card’s
software mixer.
The idea is to try to get the input level to rise as high as possible, but
without ever reaching the maximum. That way, you get the strongest
possible signal without distortion.
If you don't see any movement of the audio meters, you may have an
audio input problem. Refer to “I Can’t Record Any Audio” on page A-4
for troubleshooting hints.