I need software for recording live sound (usually voice only) from a line level into my notebook computer. I have Sound Forge 7 which records fine. The problem is that I need to be able to have a limiter for high volume levels. I usually record speeches and sometimes the speaker gets loud. If I set the record volume low enough so that it doesn't peak, the overall volume of the recording is too low and it is too close to the noise floor.

Is there any program or software that does real time hard limiting of a line level input signal during recording? Limiting after recording won't help because by then the signal is already distorted, the signal must be limiting before it is recorded.

The only way to deal with this is to set the input level low enough so the loudest signal doesn't distort. Then software compressor/limiters can bring up the levels of the signal when it gets quieter.

1st, my qualifications:
I've listened into and lurked around conversations of subjects like this, that I learn enough to assume that i know what i'm talking about. Anyway...

On my PC, I have a Creative Labs Audigy sound card and on the recording panel of this software, they have a function button, ARVL which stands for Auto Recording Volume Limiter.
I record mostly keyboard/instrument stuff, and not voice, but i find that it does work well for what i'm doing with it. One minor negative thing happens sometimes.
If the signal is too strong for a continuous length of time, a few seconds or longer, the limiter tends to overcompensate so on playback, that part of the recording is too soft for my liking. But as i said, i'm recording music where this issue is more of an impact in comparison to voice. I can still hear that part but there is a slight, noticeable drop in the volume.

I would think that other sound cards would (or should!) have a similar feature.

What about sending the mic into 1 of these small compessor/limiter/enhacer boxes that you find in the music stores, usually between 29 and 59 dollars? I've seen models of these that would easily fit into a laptop bag.

Thanks, I will see if the ARVL software is available for my notebook soundcard. At least I know that a software solution exists.

On Sonar you can set the input to be Pre effect - so you can set up ANY software plugin limiter you want. Nice.

Or get a little mini mixing desk.

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