Strange "echo" when recording

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

Audacity slight echo

Audacity 3.1.3
Win 10 Pro 21H1
Pioneer PL-630
Denon PL-110
Pioneer CT-F900
Pioneer RT1020H
Cambridge Duo Preamp
EVGA NU Audio card

FX Audio MM preamp (this is my spare preamp)

I get a strange echo when I record from either vinyl or tape into Audacity…This started all of a sudden
about 3 weeks ago…This is the system and equipment I have been using for about 5 years with NO issues at all…
All of a sudden I started getting this echo…or noise maybe…

If I am NOT recording and just playing vinyl or tape thru


the PC…the echo is gone and everything works perfectly…

I was using Audacity 2.3.2 then upgraded to 3.1.3 hoping this would fix it…nope…
I swapped my Cambridge Duo preamp with the FX Audio preamp and
no change at all…

I have uploaded 2 MP3 files…you can play and hear the difference…

Audacity Echo Test.MP3
I get the echo with Audacity…

So I switched from Audacity to Golden Record Clean…some software I found
just so I could get a “clean” recording…

Golden Record Clean Test.MP3
I do NOT get the echo …



So…I do not get the echo with either the Cambridge Duo preamp or with the FX preamp…
as evidenced by the Golden Record audio file…so they are eliminated…
I also get the echo when working off reel to reel or cassette…

But I DO get the echo using Audacity…seems to point to Audacity as the issue…
Now since I get the echo with Audacity ONLY when recording and not on playback…
that means the issue is with Audacity…

I have rebooted…I have reinstalled Audacity…I have upgraded Audacity from 2.3.2 to 3.1.3…
No change…

I can also take a pre-recorded file and play it and it is perfect…
ONLY happens on Audacity when recording…

Been using Audacity about 6-7 years…most of the options I do not use…
But I will admit that it is possible that I could have accidently done an effect without
realizing it…

I really do not want to NOT use Audacity…I’m used to it and it does everything I need and want…

So…my question is…is there some setting or effect in Audacity that would cause this echo…???
Maybe some key combination I might have accidently hit…but even if that’s possible each tinme you
start up Audacity it starts “clean” with all effects removed…

I need help guys…
Many thanks…
Steve

2

Make sure to directly-select the line input from your soundcard as your [u]Recordign Device[/u].

…If you choose “loopback” or “What-U-Hear” or “Stereo Mix”, you’re recording the output from the soundcard instead of the input and that can create a feedback loop (and there is always a delay).

3

DVD Doug…
Many thanks…
I’m trying to upload some PNG’s of my settings…but as far as I can tell they are correct and I don;'t believe they have changed…
Capture2.PNG
Capture1.PNG
Capture3.PNG
Capture4.PNG

4

DVD Doug…
Many thanks…
I’m trying to upload some PNG’s of my settings…but as far as I can tell they are correct and I don;'t believe they have changed…

5

They sound essentially identical* to me. Windows may be adding an enhancement which you will hear on your computer.
Here’s how to switch Windows audio enhancements off … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxnUjiGgBaI


[* There is a slight difference:
‘‘Audacity echo test’’ is dual-mono, not stereo. “Golden Records clean test” has a hint of pseudostereo via mp3 artefacts.
If it’s a stereo recording, check you have not fallen into the mono trap … https://youtu.be/59QY0WL3f64?t=17 ]

6

Trebor…
I followed your links…I do not have an “enhancements” per se…Probably due to my audio card…
And the Mono trap seems ok…

I’m gonna pull all wiring out of the sound card and start all over…
Make certain my connections are good…and all in the right place…

Thanks for your help…
Still struggling…

7

I guess one thing to consider…this “echo” ONLY happens when recording off some source…vinyl…tape…which are Stereo…

When I open a pre-recorded file…the echo is not there…

More confusion…

I think I’m gonna start drinking heavily…:slight_smile:

8

There can be a second layer of recording/playback enhancements which should be turned off.