if i record an audio track and then play it back
the vu meters levels on the output side rise and fall
as they should but the input levels rise and fall also
and they shouldn't how do i stop this from happening
and the audio is very noisy on play back
thanks

check you haven't got a mic input live - i got this problem when Windows decided to make the mic on my webcam the default device. the audio noise is probably feedback.

how did you record the audio? you might have to visit the windows control panel to see what Windows thinks is the audio recording input source

if you are getting audio input on playback the BIAB output from your speakers is being captured by something

Tell us more about your setup.

Are you using the internal audio, or a USB interface? .. Or(?)

First place I would look is the audio drivers selection.
See what is being used.
If 'What you Hear' or 'Mix' is selected on the input side for the driver (regardless of device) then your output may be getting tapped over to your input, which indeed would likely be noisier.

Option-Prefs-AudioTab-DriversButton .. what is selected as the input if you click that path?
Let us know what PT is actually using for the input.

If it's not a live 'mic' input (as mentioned above) it is likely a mixer setting somewhere in the chain, and the above selected driver may help us figure out just where that mixer setting may be.

It's the PC built in mic.