I’m new to Audacity. I am currently using a Tascam iUR2 interface into an win7 HP laptop and using the latest version of Audacity. I’m attempting to record some bass tracks and consistently have a cyclic digital noise inserted in my recordings. I’m not sure how to classify the noise and cannot isolate where it’s introduced.
I have confirmed the settings on the soundboard and have tested using direct bass into guitar input on Tascasm, used DI out to XLR input and also tested with just vocal mic and vocal. The noise is in all recordings.
I think it may be related to a setting, but not sure. I tried to search to see if anyone had reported issues with the iUR2, but did not see any results.
Any ideas? Otherwise Audacity was quick and easy and I’m able to make recordings with minimal effort.
Noise is analog. That means it’s originating on the analog side of your interface.
It could be getting picked-up by the bass, it could be a defective interface, or it could be noise coming into the interface over the USB 5V power supply. I’m assuming this is a USB interface?
If disconnecting the bass and/or turning the gain down doesn’t eliminate the noise, and if this interface is powered by USB, try a different computer or a powered USB hub (a hub with it’s own wall-wart power supply).
I can’t listen to your noise sample right now 'cause I’m at work, but when you say “cyclic digital noise”, that makes me think it’s noise coming from the computer’s power supply over the USB.
Thanks. Correct. I am using a USB interface. The interface is powered by the USB connection USB. I haven’t tried on another computer.
I have turned down the bass, tried a different bass and used different ways to connect (direct 1/4 into interface, DI into mic) and I also simply tried to record voice. The cyclic noise is in all recordings. I’m wondering if there is a meter/refresh or other setting that I need to change.
I had a chance to test more. If I unplug any input (guitar/mic) from the interface and record there is no noise. However, if I plug in a 1/4 in to the interface and introduce any sound the ‘noise’ returns. I’m thinking it may be related to the iUR2 interface but not sure.
I am having the exact same problem with the same set-up. Have you figured it out yet? I have not tried another computer or USB hub. There is no option for a power supply on the unit. If the noise is coming from the computer’s power supply, that’s really stupid of Tascam to not offer the option.
Are you utilizing the MIC/LINE/GUITAR switches properly?
-If you are recording straight from bass you will need to set the switch to GUITAR and use the LEFT input.
-If you are recording with a cable outputting sound from the amp into the iUR2 you will need to use the LINE setting.
-If you are recording with a microphone you will need to set it to the MIC setting.
The electrical differences between each of these settings is enough to cause issues.
Outside of that, you have multiple places for failure including a noisy power source in your house, an amp with bad valves/tubes or a bad output, bad cables, RF interference from a local source, and then there are the other suggestions that have been made already.
Start with the switch options and go from there.
Then, there’s gain staging… If you’re not familiar with the term then it’s time to do some reading. This is one of the most difficult parts of beginning recording.
My setup is as follows:
Windows 7 64-bit
iUR2 USB interface
1x condenser mic (R)
1x acoustic-electric guitar (L)
So I have been terrorized by this nasty cyclic noise for a couple hours. I decided to try to make the device work without ASIO4ALL since it adds another layer of complication.
SOLUTION
Right-click on the sound icon in the bottom right corner of your Windows desktop.
Click ‘Recording Devices’ and a window will open.
Double-click on the device that is giving you trouble (in this case the iUR2).
Click on the ‘Advanced’ tab on the far right.
Ensure that the ‘Default Format’ option is set to “2 channel, 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality)”
Click ‘Apply’ and your device should now work fine in Audacity.
NOTE: Also on the ‘Advanced’’ tab is a header ‘Exclusive Mode’. I have both boxes checked to ensure exclusivity of my recording programs. This may help your situation, but I can’t be certain if this affects the problem or not.
Ran into the same cyclic noise using the iUR2 with Audacity on Windows 8.1. Just changed the default setting on the recording window to 48000 hz (DVD quality) as suggested by drwink12 and it appears to have worked. Still need to confirm with the same equipment under the same conditions as before, but it sounds promising.
Exclusive Mode has no effect if MME host is chosen in Audacity’s Device Toolbar - in that case the Default Format sample rate will be used and to avoid un-necessary resampling you must set Audacity project rate to the same as Default Format.
If you choose Windows DirectSound host in Device Toolbar, with Exclusive Mode on in Windows, Default Format rate is ignored. Audacity will request the rate specified in project rate direct from the device. As long as you choose a rate that the device supports, this should generally speaking give the best results, though some devices and/or poorly written drivers may work better with MME.