Skips in Recorded Music

I have purchased an Audio Technica USB turntable that came with Audacity.
In trying to record music from my old albums, I find that the files ( when played back) have skips in the music exactly every 30 seconds. This is consistent regardless of the song, the file type (WAV, FLAC or MP3) and even after modifying the Audacity settings according to the Audacity on-line help page.
I tried downloading the latest version - 2.0.6 - but this did not resolve the problem.
I’m using Windows 7 on an HP lap top with 8G of RAM and 700 G hard drive with lots of available space.
Seems like I’m doing something wrong here.
Has anyone else seen this problem and resolved it?
Kenny D

even after modifying the Audacity settings according to the Audacity on-line help page.

I’m not sure what help page you are looking at, but did you try increasing the recording buffer size? (Edit → Preferences → Recording → Latency)

This is usually related to multitasking, so don’t run any other applications and try to reduce your computer’s background operations. Some people find it helps to turn-off their anti-virus, and/or Wi-Fi.

This is consistent regardless of the song, the file type (WAV, FLAC or MP3)

Yeah… This is probably a recording problem so it won’t matter what format you export to. I assume the playback also skips when you play-back the file directly from Audacity before exporting?

The help page I’m referring to is:
Audacity - FAQ:Recording - Troubleshooting
11 How can I record without small skips or duplications?

My current settings are: Latency Audio to Buffer: 100 milliseconds
Latency Correction: -130 milliseconds

Should either of these settings be changed?

Yes the skipping every 30 sec. also occurs when playing back the file directly from Audacity before exporting same as when playing back an exported file.

As it says on http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_recording_troubleshooting.html#skips, try increasing the “Audio to buffer”.

The Latency Correction setting just time shifts subsequent recorded tracks when Transport > Overdub is on. That setting won’t help you.

Make sure you are connecting the turntable to an empty USB port. Do not connect it to a USB hub connected to a USB port.


Gale

Gale,
I am connected directly from the turntable to the USB port on the lap top.
Per your suggestion, I’ve tried increasing the “Audio to Buffer” from 100 ms to 300, then 600, 1000 and finally to 5000 and this has not resolved the problem.
I also tried disconnecting my WIFI and turning off my Virus protection program while recording as suggested by DVDdoug - nothing has worked so far.
Other ideas?
Kenny D

OK, please set it back to 100 ms.

Does changing the USB cable help?

If not, I’m afraid you will have to go through every suggestion here: Missing features - Audacity Support.

Also turn off Skype if that is running.


Gale

I downloaded the DPC Latency Checker and sure enough, my PC is experiencing a DPC event every 30 seconds.
I tried disabling all the appropriate drivers in attempt to locate the problem driver but was unable to identify one that was causing the
DPC events.
I’ll have to go back to HP to see if they can explain why this is happening and how I can resolve it.
Thanks for your help!
Kenny D