Metallic (tin can) sound when played back

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

Trying to record NPR internet broadcast, sounds like in tin can when played back.
(Podcast download is not available in Australia, because of several weeks delay before broadcast here)

I read Audacity tutorial (before starting) Tutorial recording audio laying on the computer and applied settings as suggested.

PC Toshiba Satellite laptop
Win7 sp1

Audacity-win-2.0.3
Settings on main window

  1. • Windows Direct Sound
    • Primary Sound Driver
    • Primary Sound Capture Driver
    • 2 (Stereo) Input Channel…

What am I doing wrong ? :confused:
I am a raw beginner … would appreciate any help, thank you

2

You missed a step. Windows from Vista on have conferencing software to “help you.” Sometimes it helps you so much the show stops working.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_recording_troubleshooting.html#enhancements

You can also get into trouble if you’re recording Stereo-Mix and you cause a feedback loop – Audacity is trying to record the show more than once. That can cause “talking down a mailing tube.” Try listening to the show with headphones and Audacity Playthrough turned off.

Also, dig in the Windows Control Panels and turn off any and all Concert Hall Effects or other similarly named Windows Effects.

Koz

3

I’m in Los Angeles and I use the downloads of many shows. The air show is frequently shorter than the download because of local station promotions and messages stepping on portions of the show. PodCast Downloads are generally clean – and longer.

Koz

4

@ kozikowski
Thanks for your response
RE:- http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/fa … hancements

… Stereo-Mix … feedback loop … “talking down a mailing tube.”

Replay is as poor as two cans joined by a bit of tight string – I am not getting any echo
Original web source audio is perfect (as it can be for a lappy) , quality is degraded only when played back from Audacity window

There are no “Concert Hall Effects” nor any other sound-effect setting for replay or record – in CP > Sounds

Should I disable Microphone ?
This is a new laptop and never use microphone (except for skype in future??)

Free to air broadcasts (here in Australia) are several weeks behind podcasts in USA.
NPR only allow podcast downloads for one week after USA release, Well after when we hear it here.
I heard a specific show this morning (on our free to air steam-radio) to late for me to download from NPR in USA.

Thanks again, appreciate your help (I am really stuck)

Installed Audacity to-day
Win7 32bit
Toshiba Satellite C665

5

In "Step 1: Set up devices to capture computer playback" it has a link: “Recording Computer Playback on Windows”
Choosing the correct input is essential.

6

@ steve
Thank you for your help.
When all else fails … read the directions ! Trouble wanting point+click.

Step 1

    1. Audio Host = Windows DirectSound
  1. Output Device = Speakers (Conextant SmartAudio HD)
  2. Input Device = Primary Sound Capture Driver
  3. Input Channels = 2 (Stereo) Input Channels

Step2:

  • [ ] Software Playthrough … is OFF

Input Volume = Maximum
Output Volume = Maximum

But now nothing is recorded, not even the “tinny” replay.

7

What are the other options?

Also, please select “Help > Audio Device Info”, wait for the info to appear then copy and paste the information into your reply.

Also look in the Windows Sound Control Panel and see what recording devices are available and which are greyed out (after you have set it to show hidden and disabled devices).

8

Thank you “steve” for helping me out.

Input Devices:-

  1. Primary Sound Capture Driver
  2. Internal Microphone (Conexant SmartAudio HD)

“Help > Audio Device Info”

==============================
Default capture device number: 1
Default playback device number: 3
==============================
Device ID: 0
Device name: Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input
Host name: MME
Input channels: 2
Output channels: 0
Low Input Latency: 0.200000
Low Output Latency: 0.200000
High Input Latency: 0.400000
High Output Latency: 0.400000
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 1
Device name: Internal Microphone (Conexant S
Host name: MME
Input channels: 2
Output channels: 0
Low Input Latency: 0.200000
Low Output Latency: 0.200000
High Input Latency: 0.400000
High Output Latency: 0.400000
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 2
Device name: Microsoft Sound Mapper - Output
Host name: MME
Input channels: 0
Output channels: 2
Low Input Latency: 0.200000
Low Output Latency: 0.200000
High Input Latency: 0.400000
High Output Latency: 0.400000
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Device ID: 3
Device name: Speakers (Conexant SmartAudio H
Host name: MME
Input channels: 0
Output channels: 2
Low Input Latency: 0.200000
Low Output Latency: 0.200000
High Input Latency: 0.400000
High Output Latency: 0.400000
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
    352800
    384000
==============================
Device ID: 4
Device name: Primary Sound Capture Driver
Host name: Windows DirectSound
Input channels: 2
Output channels: 0
Low Input Latency: 0.000000
Low Output Latency: 0.000000
High Input Latency: 0.000000
High Output Latency: 0.000000
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 5
Device name: Internal Microphone (Conexant SmartAudio HD)
Host name: Windows DirectSound
Input channels: 2
Output channels: 0
Low Input Latency: 0.000000
Low Output Latency: 0.000000
High Input Latency: 0.000000
High Output Latency: 0.000000
Supported Rates:
==============================
Device ID: 6
Device name: Primary Sound Driver
Host name: Windows DirectSound
Input channels: 0
Output channels: 2
Low Input Latency: 0.000000
Low Output Latency: 0.000000
High Input Latency: 0.000000
High Output Latency: 0.000000
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
==============================
Device ID: 7
Device name: Speakers (Conexant SmartAudio HD)
Host name: Windows DirectSound
Input channels: 0
Output channels: 2
Low Input Latency: 0.000000
Low Output Latency: 0.000000
High Input Latency: 0.000000
High Output Latency: 0.000000
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
==============================
Selected capture device: 5 - Internal Microphone (Conexant SmartAudio HD)
Selected playback device: 7 - Speakers (Conexant SmartAudio HD)
Supported Rates:
    8000
    9600
    11025
    12000
    15000
    16000
    22050
    24000
    32000
    44100
    48000
    88200
    96000
    176400
    192000
==============================
Available mixers:
==============================
Available capture sources:
0 - Master
==============================
Available playback volumes:
0 - PCM
==============================
Capture volume is native
Playback volume is native

==================================================

RECORDING DEVICES
Audacity Sound dlg, Recording tab 6-May-2013.png
I have had problems inserting the one image,what am I doing wrong? (For another thread ??)

9

As shown in the image and confirmed by the “Audio Device Info”, the only recording input available on your machine is the microphone, which will sound bad recording internet broadcasts.
See the blue panel here for alternative approaches: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer_Toolbar_Issues#cp
“Soundleech” is worth a try.


When you have uploaded the image (as you did successfully), click on the “Place Inline” button (below the message compose box after the image is uploaded) and that will insert the image at the current cursor position.