Weird noise when recording voice...help!

Special Interest Groups Recording Techniques
1

Hi,

I am new to Audacity and I have been trying to record my voice for a radio show alongside some mp3’s. Transferring the MP3’s to audacity is not a problem - the quality is good. However, when I record my voice there seems to be a noise throughout the recording. It’s a sharp / spiking noise. It seems that when the maximum output meter level is reached this noise is generated. This happens even when I am not speaking. When I zoom in into the actual portion of the file I can see a sharp hike which has been formed from this annoying noise.

I cant cut it out each time because in a recording of 10 seconds it can make the sound 10-15 times. The microphone I use is basic, but it detects my voice and plays it back fine too. It’s just the additional interference I am having the problems with. I’ve not seen anyone else with this problem so I’d be interested in getting a resolution to this.

Thanks.

2

We need lots more information. What version of Audacity? Give us the three-part version number you see when selecting the “About Audacity” menu item. What computer? What operating system? What microphone (make and model, please).

It seems that when the maximum output meter level is reached this noise is generated.

Could it be that you are simply overloading the recording input? Try turning down the recording volume.

See: http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Digital_Audio#clipping

– Bill