So Im running my HP Laptop into a Fender FM25DSP.
And yes Im new at this..anyway Im doig this to simply run Band In A Box
through the amp to blend with guitar.
Its a 2 ch amp with RCA inputs, so headphones out of LT to RCA inputs.
Problem is everything sounds wavy on the RCA ch...out of Laptop.
The laptop plays fine when not connected to the amp.
The sound is best described as wavy...high & low every 2-4 seconds?
Could this be a line out level issue? My laptop also has Beats Audio.
The only way to control the volume of my input ch is from the LT
Im just trying to learn to play with some backing tracks and its very annoying.
I just got the 2018 BIB & dont think it has anything to do with my issue.
I used BIB for a short while 10 years ago..
BTW Im running windows 10
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!
Gene

So, if I understand you correctly you are feeding the RCA input of the amp with a headphone output from the laptop?

That won't work very well because the RCA input of the amp is expecting a high impedance, low output signal (line level) and a headphone output will be just the opposite, low impedance, high output.

Do you have a line out on the laptop?

This is one of my personal goals, to ensure no one does it that way (grin).

Dave is correct; the headphone jack is not a line-level signal. The gain can be close if you turn up the laptop maybe two-thirds (varies, of course). The impedance will still be wrong and degrade the sound.

What I really hate, in addition to poor quality sound, is the horrible static-like blast you will hear when the headphone connection isn’t perfect, especially when it is jostled. This can clear a room worse than feedback. And those mini headphone jacks will fail, just by their design.

A much better solution is to get an audio interface that connects to your laptop USB port. You can find these with a gain knob and RCA output jacks.

Yep, You are understanding me correctly HP out of LT to RCA amp.
The amp manual states, (RCA)for CD MP3 Drum Machine..
But as you mention those devices would or should have RCA out to work properly...
And no I dont have Audio Out on my LT, I surely would have used it rather than the HP jack.
With all respect, Thank you for taking the time.
Gene

Thanks Matt, I'll check with Guitar Center & head that way if they have it?
Gene

I like this for you: a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. Copy this link.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Focusrite/Scarlett-Solo-2nd-Generation-USB-Audio-Interface-1500000010205.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyszSBRDJARIsAHAqQ4psxluOe9TVRrvou7G0N9J7S0S7uCETGi86j2rRNLcNmeEE0-RY45oaAtfGEALw_wcB&kwid=productads-adid^57619015002-device^c-plaid^140858361861-sku^1500000010205@ADL4GC-adType^PLA

Of course, that's a minimum. You can get more inputs and outputs in other Scarlett models. I have a pair of 18i20s and a 6i6 I keep as a spare. Even the 2i2 is good; just get their 2nd generation units (better specs, and in the higher models, better software).

Other brands include Behringer, M-Audio, Apogee etc.

Adaptors are readily available online and are actually the right tool for the job this time. They are also inexpensive, require no usb or power. This is a common problem with an easy solution. Nearly every church, community center, night club and gigging musician wants to plug their I-device into mixers now days... Here's a high quality cable at B&H Photo.


- Attenuator cable h4n -

Matt is correct that using USB is physically more stable and a better connection, this method is also widely used.

Yes, I skipped that solution because it uses the headphone connection. Potentially very bad. But Charlie is correct that this is the least expensive way to match the signal. It still depends on setting the headphone volume correctly for the right gain staging.

This Behringer unit should be arriving in a week or so. I'll let everyone know how it does. I would have liked the Focusrite, but budget constraints for now. My old FastTrack Pro seems to give me more and more problems with each update on my computer (of course it's almost 10 years old and the available drivers are almost as old).

That being said, when it works, the external USB FastTrack Pro plays nicely with my amp and the sound is great.

I appreciate the advice here men!
Matt, I have not made it to Guitar Center yet, still scratching my head here! Ive got some odd things going on with this Laptop!
1st off the sound out of the headphone jack is remarkably clean going into the amp other than the volume flex. Obviously a cheap fix would be idea. We also need to keep in mind that I have No Volume Control on the amp for that channel (RCA INPUT), what ever device thats plugged into it controls the volume! So Im assuming the cable alone too level it would not work?
Matt, can you tell me if the USB Audio Interface that you suggested will
control the volume in my situation?
Now..from my recent research on my Laptop (HP Envy 17) Ive found there is an issue with the audio driver, same issue Im have with the HP jack!
What I dont understand is why does it sound clean & just has volume swings, who knows...
Also..Matt will the USB AI bypass my LT sound card & run by itself?
If my LT truly has an audio driver output issue will the other device have the same issue?
Sorry for all the questions & confusion it aint easy being a newbie LOL.
Thanks again guys!

Yes, the Focusrite (or Behringer etc.) would bypass the laptop's sound card (which is a good thing), and yes, it has its own volume control.

I second (or third) the USB-to-Audio interface.

For your purposes, I think the fewer knobs, bells and whistles will be best.

I use an Edirol UA-1A that I bought in the 1990s. It works great and they come up on E-bay all the time.

The simplicity for live performance is nice. Plug into the USB port, and connect a line from the output of the UA-1A to the amp (in my case the PA).

USB->Audio devices generally have wider bandwidth than the headphone or speaker jack and don't make static connection noises if accidentally jarred.

Notes

When playing I use a Roland Tricapture into a PA. I plug my guitar into the Tricapture and use TH2 on the laptop for the guitar. That way I have a balance between the backing and guitar. I often play through others equipment doing it the way just mentioned I don't have to play around looking to get a balance just overall volume. I only need one port in a PA or whatever. At home I use a Roland Quadcapture for similar reasons.

I notice some folk use BIAB when performing I use .wav files and Windows media player. I looked at the very good article http://www.nortonmusic.com/backing_tracks.html Bob Notes Norton put out and am considering converting to MP3s. That way I might get a more even volume mix by running the MP3 files through MP3 gain before transferring them to the laptop.

Thanks to all and Bob Notes Norton.

Tony

Here's an update on what Ive decided to do with some advice here.
I went ahead ordered the Focusrite 6i6 along with a pair of Yamaha HS8 Monitor Speakers. Those Yamaha's not only sound pricey they are pricey!
Anyway I think in the long run Ill be better off this way...
It least I'll have more options and much better sound.
Stay tuned guys, Im sure Ill have more questions once I get started.
Thanks to all !
Gene

Thanks for the kind words, Tony.

And let us know how your new system works out Gene.

Notes

I love my Focusrite 6i6 for portable use. You should do well with it.

My 6i6 showed yesterday, I mail ordered it & the HS8's..still waiting on the speakers. Anyway got a question about the 6i6 as far as downloading all of the software & drivers, I'd like to install all the software that comes with it on 2 different PC's, my Laptop & Desktop.
So, will I be able to do both or is the downloads only good for one PC?

The Focusrite software should work fine on multiple systems. I have mine installed on both laptop and PC.

I use my PC most of the time on the 18i20 and for mobile recording I use it on the laptop.

Yes, it will be fine on both.