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!
Anyone have any ideas?
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.
A little help would be appreciated.
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.
Check that Windows is fully updated and set to check for updates during hours when you don’t use the computer.
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?
So you wouldn’t be the only one. There are four (4) steps involved:
- Download de-Clicker.ny. See here: Updated De-Clicker and new De-esser for speech
- Install it: Tools > Nyquist Plug-in Installer… See here: https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/installing_effect_generator_and_analyzer_plug_ins_on_windows.html#nyquist_install
- Enable it: Tools > Add/Remove Plug-ins… See here: Plugin Manager - Add / Remove Effects, Generators and Analyzers - Audacity Manual
- Run it: Effect > De-Clicker… (It may be in the second set of effects near the bottom).
So, at what point are you getting “file cannot be found” ? Do you want to post a screenshot ?
Thank you!
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!
Thanks!
All sounds good.
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.
I would be glad to start a new topic on voice recording quality, but I can’t figure out how. (Sorry I’m such a newbie). Attached is my audio file of part of an audition I turned in. The author said the voice was fine, but there was too much noise. I hadn’t noticed the noise til he said that, so I listened to it again with the volume turned all the way up, and there it was. He suggested it might be an equipment problem. Any thoughts?
Maybe a longer one with many different words in it.
This is the quality test for audiobook reading. Read down the blue links. They’re very short.
https://www.kozco.com/tech/audacity/TestClip/Record_A_Clip.html
Koz
Never mind. This is good.
You’re too close to the microphone and/or you’re not using a pop and blast filter. “Punching” has P Popping where the P sound splatters or explodes and is louder than it should be.
There may be other problems, but that one stood out. I don’t hear any obvious echoes or reverb. Echoes are common in home readers.
That black tennis racket is a pop filter.
Are you listening to yourself in real time?
Everybody who does this for pay wears headphones. It’s easy to pick out mistakes and voice problems when you’re listening to them right then. It does take a bit to get used to.
You should be able to plug your wired headphones into the Solo and flip the Direct Monitor switch on. Watch your ears the first time you do that.
If you have a reasonable recording room, it should be possible to turn out good quality sound with a lot of different microphones.
Koz
Everybody wants to solve problems with a checkbook. I bet if you’re a little messy with this microphone, you’re going to be messy with a more expensive one.
Koz
How close are you? You’re speaking into the side of the microphone just up from the company name, right? You don’t speak into the round end.
You can help some of these problems by announcing a little off center. Like somewhere between A and B.
Do one of those ten second readings and post it. “Hudson Valley cows…”
Do you have a nice heavy towel or blanket on the table? That will take a little of the hardness out of the voice.
Forget everything else, but note that big heavy blanket I have on the table.
Koz
If you post that audiobook test we can give you a noise evaluation.
Koz
For future reference, (it’s very easy 
)
- Start from the most relevant forum board - normally that will be the Windows board: Windows - Audacity Forum
- Click the “New Topic” button.
Firstly, the noise is not bad. It’s only a shade higher than ACX / Audible specify for audio books. Using only a bass roll-off filter and Normalization it will “just” meet the ACX specifications. Of course it’s better to aim for better than “just meet the specs”, and Koz is the man that has gathered the spells, incantations and workflows to do so. One of the most important things in voice recording is consistency, so it is essential to develop a regular workflow that produces consistent results - you’re starting from a good place, close to pole position 