Dell XPS 15 9570 - Line In Audio not loud enough when recording

Greetings Win10 Community:

I am having a problem which I resolved previously - but when I sat down to record some music today, it to some extent re-appeared. Here's an explanation ( I also posted this in the help forum for Vegas Pro 16 editing software to cover all bases):

Here's what my specs are:

• Running VEGAS PRO 16 on a Dell XPS 15 9570
• Using Win 10 Home 64-Bit Version 20H2
• Intel Corei7 -8750H CPU @ 2.20Ghz 2.21 GHz;
• RAM - 8 GB(7.74 GB Usable)
• Maxx Audio Pro is the audio software that pops up when I plug things into the audio input
  

Per my device manager, it appears that all the drivers for the audio devices are up-to-date.
Basically, I'm running a Casio SA-76 synthesizer through a y-splitter which is running to and from a set of 2 HOTMAI HN-A16 2.0 multimedia USB external speakers into a Line-In into my Dell XPS 15 9570, which is where I'm running Vegas Pro 16. This is what I was informed to do by someone at the Win10 forums a year and change ago, and it was working for awhile - until today, 6/26/22, when I sat down to record some music using the aforementioned setup.

Every time I go to arm for record, while that feature itself is working, it is not recording the keyboard loud enough - and when I go to Normalize the audio, all I get is static. How do I resolve this? I really need to get this resolved fast as I'm working on a video project for which I'm also creating original music. I also checked for updated drivers for all the audio software (including Maxx Audio Pro) in Device Manager and it is telling me that everything is up-to-date. Do I need to update to Win11 or is there a way I can resolve this WITHOUT upgrading to Win 11 and without having to get a new Dell Laptop ??? Looking forward to urgently hearing back. Thank you.

I sometimes have to boost the microphone volume on laptops. Try this:
- Hold down the Windows key in the lower left corner of your keyboard and press the letter: R
Release both keys
- Inside the Open box, type control mmsys.cpl and press the Enter key.
- Click the Recording tab, then double click the Microphone
- On the Microphone settings window, click the Levels tab and adjust the Microphone Boost setting

Ptah0921 said:

Greetings Win10 Community:

I am having a problem which I resolved previously - but when I sat down to record some music today, it to some extent re-appeared. Here's an explanation ( I also posted this in the help forum for Vegas Pro 16 editing software to cover all bases):

Here's what my specs are:

• Running VEGAS PRO 16 on a Dell XPS 15 9570
• Using Win 10 Home 64-Bit Version 20H2
• Intel Corei7 -8750H CPU @ 2.20Ghz 2.21 GHz;
• RAM - 8 GB(7.74 GB Usable)
• Maxx Audio Pro is the audio software that pops up when I plug things into the audio input

Per my device manager, it appears that all the drivers for the audio devices are up-to-date.
Basically, I'm running a Casio SA-76 synthesizer through a y-splitter which is running to and from a set of 2 HOTMAI HN-A16 2.0 multimedia USB external speakers into a Line-In into my Dell XPS 15 9570, which is where I'm running Vegas Pro 16. This is what I was informed to do by someone at the Win10 forums a year and change ago, and it was working for awhile - until today, 6/26/22, when I sat down to record some music using the aforementioned setup.

Every time I go to arm for record, while that feature itself is working, it is not recording the keyboard loud enough - and when I go to Normalize the audio, all I get is static. How do I resolve this? I really need to get this resolved fast as I'm working on a video project for which I'm also creating original music. I also checked for updated drivers for all the audio software (including Maxx Audio Pro) in Device Manager and it is telling me that everything is up-to-date. Do I need to update to Win11 or is there a way I can resolve this WITHOUT upgrading to Win 11 and without having to get a new Dell Laptop ??? Looking forward to urgently hearing back. Thank you.

Samuria said:

Its normally down to impedance mis match has it worked in the past ok?

Yes, it was working for a year and some change-until I sat down to attempt recording again today.

- - - Updated - - -

mahoneycutt said:

I sometimes have to boost the microphone volume on laptops. Try this:
- Hold down the Windows key in the lower left corner of your keyboard and press the letter: R
Release both keys
- Inside the Open box, type control mmsys.cpl and press the Enter key.
- Click the Recording tab, then double click the Microphone
- On the Microphone settings window, click the Levels tab and adjust the Microphone Boost setting

Thanks - but is this going to fix the line-in volume (given the configuration I mentioned I use with the Y-splitter and the USB speakers and patch cord)?

I have a home recording studio. I wouldn't consider using PC sound card for any DAW work.
A USB recording interface unit will eliminate the problem permanently.

fireberd said:

I have a home recording studio. I wouldn't consider using PC sound card for any DAW work.
A USB recording interface unit will eliminate the problem permanently.

Would you happen to know of one that wouldn't be extremely expensive? Is there a particular brand you'd suggest?

I know nothing about Vegas Pro, but I assume you can set the audio input source.

Focusrite interfaces are popular, as are Presonus (and others).
I would go for one with at least two analog preamps. Some also have other inputs such as MIDI, line in, etc.

Here's one, from Sweetwater Music:

PreSonus Studio 26c USB-C Audio Interface | Sweetwater

fireberd said:

I know nothing about Vegas Pro, but I assume you can set the audio input source.

Focusrite interfaces are popular, as are Presonus (and others).
I would go for one with at least two analog preamps. Some also have other inputs such as MIDI, line in, etc.

Here's one, from Sweetwater Music:

PreSonus Studio 26c USB-C Audio Interface | Sweetwater

Thanks, everyone. I have ordered a USB recording device and it should arrive in a few days. Thanks again.