Clicks

[redsonja84]

I have tried to remove clicks in the sound file. It dosent remove a single click. I know my mic is not the best but no matter what setting I put click removal on, it dosent work. Any suggestions?

[steve]

The Click removal effect "processes" an existing audio track - it does not filter the audio while you are recording it.

If you are getting a lot of clicks while recording with a microphone, it is unlikely to be the microphone that is causing it, it is more likely to be the "Audio In/Out" settings that are causing the problem (in Preferences).

Try recording from some other source, such as plugging a cassette player into the "line in" socket of your soundcard. If you still get the same kind of clicking, then you know that it's not the microphone.

[redsonja84]

If it isnt the mic, then what would be my next step. As this is a laptop I dont have any other jack but my mic jack, so I dont think I can test this. Sorry I'm just totally new at this.

[alatham]

redsonja,

First, try using a different USB port. Not all USB ports are created equal. Also try setting Audacity record to a low sample rate (in the lower left hand corner of Audacity's main screen, change the sample rate to 22050) and see if you can record without clicking.

Failing that, we need a bit more info before we can help any more.

Which operating system are you running?
What mic are you using? A model number would be ideal, but if you can give us a link to where we can buy an identical mic, that's good enough.
Are you using any special software that came with the mic, or did you just plug it in without installing anything extra? In other words, are you using the manufacturers drivers, or Windows generic drivers?
Which version of Audacity are you using?

[steve]

I was assuming that redsonja84 was using a conventional (analogue) mic. rather than a USB mic (due to the reference to "jack plug"), but the rest of alatham's comments are good. In particular, some detail about the hardware and software that you are using.

Does Audacity play back audio files without clicking? (for example a ripped CD track). If not, then there is just too much latency in the system so increasing the audio buffers may help. (in Edit->Preferences->Audio I/O)

[alatham]

Steve,

You're right, I was assuming a USB mic since clicking issues occasionally come up with those. But yeah, I think this person is using a regular computer mic.

In that case, I would first point my finger at the sound card drivers, especially if you're using Vista (though XP is not without problems).