When you use Sound Recorder to record audio in Windows Vista, the recorded audio may contain pops, clicks, or other distortions

When you use Sound Recorder to record audio in Windows Vista, the recording may contain extraneous noises such as pops or clicks. Or, the recording may sound distorted. This problem may occur when you record from a device that is connected to the line-in port on the computer's sound card. Additionally, this problem may occur more frequently when Sound Recorder is configured to sample at rates other than 16 bits and 44100 hertz (Hz). This problem does not occur when you use certain third-party programs to record audio.

This problem may occur if the recording volume is too high. This causes data clipping in the recording. Certain third-party programs may do a better job of automatically modulating volume levels that are set too high.

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods, and then record the audio again:

• Decrease the volume output of the device that is connected to the line-in port on the sound card. For example, if you have a portable MP3 player connected through the headphone jack of the device, reduce the volume of the MP3 device.
• Decrease the volume of the recorded sound in the Hardware and Sound item in Control Panel. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Hardware and Sound, and then click Manage audio devices.
  2. Click the Recording tab, click the audio device that you use to record sound, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Levels tab, drag the volume slider to the left to reduce the volume, and then click OK.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.