I’ve been trying to start making YouTube videos for the past 2 days but these seemingly random clicks/pops want to end me. It’s only in Audacity this issue happens, so I’m assuming it’s some setting somewhere that’s the culprit. I’ll attach a recording that highlights the crackle, it happens during the word ‘again’, towards the end of the recording.
I’m using a Blue Yeti X, which uses the optional ‘Blue Voice’ (EQ etc).
I’ve tried recording with the Blue Voice filters on and off.
My CPU is keeping up with the load.
I’m recording to where Windows 10 is installed (is this a big ‘no’?)
I’m not clipping when the crackle occurs (I’ve tried recording at very low gain/mic volume).
I’ve tried recording in both 44100hz and 48000hz.
I’m using 32 bit float.
Update:
I swapped from using a USB port at the back of my PC, to a port at the front. It may have made a difference, still testing. It’s also worth noting that the USB wire was a little stretched out but not taut and it ran past a speaker to get to the back of the PC. Do you think it could be a damaged cable? If so, could it damage the mic?
Er… I didn’t hear the word “again” in the clip you uploaded. Nor did I hear any clicks or crackle in the entire piece. It could be that my equipment and/or my hearing isn’t as keen as yours of course, so perhaps others will also comment.
I’m still not detecting the problems. Could it be that it’s a playback issue at your end? Or perhaps, as I said, my equipment and/or hearing are to blame. Let’s hope someone else looks in on the thread so you can get a second opinion. Sorry not to be more help.
It’s definitely there and it’s happening throughout my recordings and across multiple sound systems, confirmed by other people (who can’t help me). I appreciate you taking a look anyway.
To further add to this:
Everything was fine, had recorded a good 5 minutes of audio without clicking. It just started again. Here is a better example of it. I was in the zone today as well to get this project done!
I should mention. I changed the format to 24-bit PCM, which matches my microphone. Since then, the issue went away for a while but came back randomly. To reiterate, I don’t have this issue with other applications.
I’ve changed USB cables; switched ports; made sure all the settings correlate correctly with my mic; switched from using OS drive (it had little space), so using a drive with over 1TB free and I’m still getting the crackling/skips.
I am experiencing the same problem. I just listened to your recording and that’s exactly what is happening to me. I use Focusrite, Scarlett Solo and my mic is Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR. I am using Windows 10 and Audacity version 2.4.2. I am new to audiobook recording so ALL of this is new to me. I’m wondering if I should try a different mic (any recommendations?). Like you, I am at my wits end.
I updated windows and it was needed. I will know if it solved the problem when I do my next recording. Thank you for the advice. But I have recordings that I would like to correct if possible. I read advice here about downloading de-clicker through Nyquist. Now I am at my wits end trying to use Nyquist plug ins. I have read the instructions and I believe I have followed them exactly, but when I press enter I get an error message, “file cannot be found”. Any help?
Want to report that updating windows solved the clicking! Thank you so much!
Now if I could get some advice on equipment, that would be great! I’ve had 2 authors tell me that my sound (not my voice) needs improvement. I’m using an “Audio Technica AT2020 Limited Edition Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone”, a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen Audio Interface, an EJT Pop Filter Mask Shield, and a Monoprice Isolation Shield. Any of these can still be returned, so I would appreciate any help before I’m stuck with them!
Did they say anything specific? For example, does your voice sound distant, boomy, thin, distorted, overloaded, noisy,…
Perhaps worth starting a new topic about voice recording quality and including a short audio sample in WAV or FLAC format.