Super noob here! Sorry if this question is located in the wrong place. I really don’t know who to reach out to or where to post.
I’m brand new to this forum and really have very little knowledge of sound recording.
I’m wondering if there is a name for a recording where the audio is fine at the beginning of the recording process but then degrades over the time of the recording? Is there a technical name for that issue?
For context, I was recording video from a webcam using Camtasia 8 (please don’t judge me ) and the audio recording (webcam mic) sounds fine at the beginning of the recording but slowly degrades from decent to horrible by the end of the recording (about 15 minutes total). The end of the audio sounds like everything is in super slow motion with super deep voices and sounds.
I know the ‘webcam mic’ is a roll your eyes moment for audio engineers. However, I’m not an audio engineer and the recording just needs to be good enough for someone to understand what is being said.
It goes without saying… I’m diving into the deep end of the pool and I CAN’T SWIM!
I really don’t know who to reach out to or where to post.
This works. The forum elves see all the topics and postings.
The end of the audio sounds like everything is in super slow motion with super deep voices and sounds.
You described two different problems.
What’s the show? Are you creating a podcast, theatrical recording, audiobook? Describe it. Many times knowing the goals can give us a push in solving the problem.
Did it used to work, or is this the first pass?
It’s been my experience that you can do really well with very simple microphones and systems if you pay attention to the process and do it all in a quiet room.
Is there a technical name for that issue?
Should we solve the problem first and then look for a name?
No, the recording was done in Camtasia 8 on Win 10.
I am however trying to use Audacity to fix things as best possible. I’m guessing the issue is a software glitch in Camtasia 8. Seem very few people have a similar issue.
The recording is just a small software test interview of someone using an application in development who during the interview provides feedback on their thoughts regarding the software and its usability. The recording then goes to a small group of developers for their review. It’s not for broadcast, podcast or anything like that.
I tested my setup using Camtasia and the webcam (logitech 922) mic and listened to the short test recordings that were a few seconds in length. No issues at all! However, once I did the actual interview the audio started degrading at about 2 minutes in and progressively gets worse till the end. Such a weird issue! I would post the audio if I were allowed to but I’m under an NDA.
I don’t think we will be able to help you without at least a short audio sample.
Are you able to repeat the problem with something that is not confidential?
We will probably be able to see what the problem is from just a couple of seconds of the “good” bit, and a couple of seconds from the “bad” part. The audio samples should be in WAV format.
Are you able to repeat the problem with something that is not confidential?
That’s super important. If you can’t reproduce the problem, then in computer-speak, there is no problem. Everybody knows occasional problems exist (developers call them “Moon Phase Problems”), but in the real world, they’re almost impossible to fix. If you make up a new clip for us, set up the microphones and devices exactly as you had them. Don’t fudge or ad-lib.
I know your goal is to make everything come out perfect, but from where we’re standing, it’s important if you find a way to make it worse, too. Report any change.
Also, that’s not to say we have no idea. The web cam, the webcam connection, Camtasia and Windows all have tools and services to “clear up” and “help you” with audio quality. The Windows one defaults to “working” and doesn’t tell you. Any of those could be causing problems. If you really offended the sound deities, all of them.
Also, given the long attack time, you could have rumble or other low-pitch sound that slowly gets worse over minutes. You can’t hear it, but the automatic tools can and it drives them nuts. This type of problem will show up when you post your sound samples.
The recording is just a small software test interview of someone using an application in development who during the interview provides feedback on their thoughts regarding the software and its usability.
Cool. Is there music or any sustained sound or effects in the presentation? Is it all speaking into a microphone? Nobody cares if the microphone is part of something else, we just have to know that.
If you’re using Audacity to fix the problem, that’s your forum ticket.
I’ve come to the conclusion the problem is related to Camtasia and may be a bug in their software. It seems others have had issues with sound in Camtasia although I can’t find anything super similar to my experience.
I changed my approach to recording tests and did another two. I’m using Camtasia to record the video and screen portion only and am using Audacity with a usb mic separately for the audio.
Is it any wonder that the audio is MUCH MUCH better now?
Thanks so much for all the replies and suggestions!
) and the audio recording (webcam mic) sounds fine at the beginning of the recording but slowly degrades from decent to horrible by the end of the recording (about 15 minutes total). The end of the audio sounds like everything is in super slow motion with super deep voices and sounds.
