Recording through headphone jack using line in signal

You shouldn't need a 3-ring jack for this.  When you connect the line-in cable, do you see the popup dialog asking what type of device you have connected?  You need to select an option that will cause the audio driver to configure that jack as a Line In connector.  If you're not seeing that option, go into the sounds application (probably called Dell Audio or MaxxAudio or something) and see if you can manually configure that jack as Line In.  At that point you may also have to go to Control Panel > Sounds > Recording and change the default recording device from the built-in microphone over to the Line In source, but typically any applications that are designed for recording allow you to specify a non-default source.

@Bolehill"I only have a 2-ring 3.5mm jack - do I need a 3 ring one?  And if I get one of those, will it then accept an input signal through that socket?  I note that I cannot play back my iPod with the 2 ring jack, so presumably this is a key factor?"

Hi and thanks for this.

I have got Waves Maxxaudio Pro pre-installed on the laptop and there is nothing on there to change any settings.  Again, the only recording device it seems able to accept is the built-in microphone - useless to me!!

I have also looked at the properties of the in-built Realtek Stereo audio jack, which I assume is the input socket I am trying to use.  Properties, Listen tab does have a tick box that says 'Listen to this device' which was unchecked, so I checked it and clicked Apply.  This just led to horrible high-pitched feedback which could only be stopped by unchecking the box.  I connected my Ipod to the jack socket and then checked the box again, clicked play on the iPod but no sound came out.  So I can only assume that the socket will not accept an incoming signal - at least, I cannot see any way of getting it to do this.

The software I wanted to use (Vinyl Studio) has options to select the input device and I have of course set this to the stereo jack.  But nothing happens!!

I am really p****d off with this, because I only bought the laptop as a reasonably priced one to replace my old one which was running Windows Vista.  But at least I could record with that one!!  And that's by far the main thing I wanted to use the laptop for, so now I have a totally useless bit of kit, as far as I am concerned.

Is the only solution to try and get a USB to stereo phono lead and hope that works?  Trouble is, the signal from the amplifier (or direct from my normal turntable) is analog - will the USB connector deal with this?

Cheers and thanks in advance for any further advice you might be able to offer.

@Bolehill"The software I wanted to use (Vinyl Studio) has options to select the input device and I have of course set this to the stereo jack.  But nothing happens!!"

I'm sorry that my explanation of why that is so was too technical. It would easier if I could include images in these threads, but the Dell forum has recently made some basic changes that have denied me permission to post images. However if you google TRRS plug you can find explanations with diagrams that should help. Bottom line is that if you are not using a TRRS plug then there is no audio input into the jack -- no physical connection.

@Bolehill"I only bought the laptop as a reasonably priced one to replace my old one which was running Windows Vista.  But at least I could record with that one!!  And that's by far the main thing I wanted to use the laptop for, so now I have a totally useless bit of kit, as far as I am concerned."

At some point Dell lost interest in customers who use a laptop for regular audio purposes, such as digitizing records and tapes. The combo jack (audio port) that Dell is now using is basically the same type that was originally meant for smart phones. The purpose of the combo jack is to accommodate a headset (see definition earlier in this thread). Headsets are used primarily by online gamers and people who want to Skype. The combo jack is meant for Communication, not audio production. People like you and me who want to do conventional audio work are now expected to buy outboard gear for that purpose. Other laptop manufacturers have also turned away from conventional audio jacks.

[Historical note: when I got my first Dell 14 years ago, only a few of the models at that time had a line-in jack. Most models then only had a mono mic jack, and a separate headphone jack. But around the time that Vista came out, Dell started using "configurable" jacks in all of the laptop models, which allowed the input jack to be either a mic jack or configured as a stereo line-in. That was probably about the time you got your old laptop that allowed you to digitize.Then about 7 years ago Dell started phasing in the smart phone combo jacks and eventually it was back to just a mono mic input in the laptops. So I guess one could say Dell has gone full circle regarding the jacks.]

@Bolehill"now I have a totally useless bit of kit, as far as I am concerned."

If you just got this laptop, it might not be too late to return it for a refund. If you still have your Vista laptop you can use it for digitizing.

@Bolehill"s the only solution to try and get a USB to stereo phono lead and hope that works?"

If you are using a turntable that does not have a built-in phono pre-amp or is not connected to the phono inputs of a receiver/amp, then get a usb phono pre-amp. Here is an example on Amazon, the Behringer UFO 202.

But in your 1st post you said you are using the line-outs on the back of your amp. If that is the case then you don't need a phono pre-amp, just a usb device with line inputs. Here is an example on Amazon, the Behringer UCA 202.

Either of those devices will allow you to digitize your tapes and vinyl at the quality of cd's. Note that I am not endorsing those products or any others. I am just providing the links as examples of cheap usb line-in interfaces. There are plenty of other similar products on the market, some of which might be a better choice particularly if you were to spend more.

@Bolehill"Trouble is, the signal from the amplifier (or direct from my normal turntable) is analog - will the USB connector deal with this?"

Yes, that is what the interface is for. The interface contains the ADC (analog to digital converter) that digitizes the analog signal. The digital signal is then sent to the laptop through the usb port. At that point you can use your software to record (save) the signal, but it is the interface that does the heavy lifting of converting the signal to digital.

@Bolehill"Properties, Listen tab does have a tick box that says 'Listen to this device' which was unchecked, so I checked it and clicked Apply. "

The "Listen to this device" is for monitoring the input signal. At the time you checked the box, the input signal was from the internal mic. As soon as you checked the box the speakers started playing whatever the mic picked up, and the mic picked up whatever the speakers were playing, creating feedback. To prevent this, plug in headphones before checking the box. That way you can monitor the signal without creating feedback.

BTW, if you get a usb interface, most or all of them come with a headphone jack for monitoring, so you can monitor the signal through the interface (if you need to monitor), without having to enable the Windows' "Listen to this device".

Hi Jim

Thanks for your lengthy and detailed replies - both of them are much appreciated.

I get the picture now about the stereo jack socket, so am giving up on that.  I have indeed ordered a basic  Behringer product (the UCA 202U as it happens) and will now wait for this to arrive.  Hopefully I can just connect the record/line out phonos from the amplifier into that, and then the USB lead to the laptop and I will have an incoming signal that the software will recognise.

Will I need to do anything to tell the USB in socket that it is an audio signal coming in?

Thanks again for your help.

Hi again Jim

Just to say that I no longer have the old laptop (it wouldn't talk to the Windows 10 PC on which I have all my music stored via iTunes [for transfer frpom there onto the iPod] and that was why I gave it to my grandchildren so it is now in New Zealand!!) and hence I don't really want to go throigh the hassle of trying to return this laptop, which otherwise seems to be OK.

@Bolehill"Will I need to do anything to tell the USB in socket that it is an audio signal coming in?"

After you plug in the Behringer to the laptop's usb port, open the Recording tab of the Windows Sound dialog and make sure that the usb device is selected as the default device there. It should show up in the list of devices as either a Behringer device or as a generic usb device. It will probably be automatically selected whenever you plug it in, but check anyway to be sure.

Next, open your your recording program and make sure it has identified the usb device as the recording source. If Realtek is still selected, change it to the Behringer.

While you are in the Windows Sound dialog, click on the Playback tab. You should be able to choose whether you want to send your audio signals out to the usb device or to Realtek (laptop's internal speakers and headphone jack). In other words, just because you make the Behringer the default on the Recording tab, doesn't mean it has to be the default on the Playback tab, so there is a lot of versatility in signal routing.

I hope it works all right for you. Unfortunately nothing is ever 100% sure when dealing with computer audio. If the device doesn't meet expectations you might want to send it back for a refund.

i use UFO202 behringer and audacity' to record my lp's to computer.  i use the line-in of the UFO202 from the lineout/tapeout of a receiver where the turntable is connected. i am using the linein of the ufo202, as this is my preference. you can also connect directly the turntable player to the phono-in of the ufo202. ufo202 is cheaper among others and i am satisfied and this is simple and basic just what i need for recording lp's....BUT i just found out this other type UCA202 while browsing the web just now.  UCA202 dont have phonopreamps, which i should have bought beforehand, since i dont want to use the phono preamp that is stuck in UFO202 and prefer to use the phono pre amp in the vintage japan pioneer receiver am using.

BUT i have read about using the RIAA equalization (or phonopreamp) in a computer directly, that is without the use of external phonopreamp. i have to learn this. end, and cheers!

by the way, try amazon, if ever.

i use behringer ufo202

1. lp player to phono in of receiver

2. tape out or rec out of receiver to line in of uf0202

3. usb from ufo202 to computer.

or direct connect lp player to phono in of uf0202

i find it more pleasant to listen in the recorded with using phono in of receiver. (not direct connection)

i use audacity, free download. it is easy and simple to use.