Audacity Forum

My PC recently crashed, and the new box (fast HP machine) has Vista on it. I re-installed Audacity, but I am now having issues when recording and playing back. I tried playback through the speakers and also through my Lexicon Lambda. Playback begins fine, but then tracks start dropping out of the playback until I am reduced to hearing a single track. When recording, things don't appear to be syncing up properly -- I am getting a track that sounds as if it was not recorded at the right speed. I tried installing the new beta version, but same story.

Can anyone help me pinpoint the problem?

I think you have two problems.

#1:

Playback begins fine, but then tracks start dropping out of the playback until I am reduced to hearing a single track.

Most likely your trying to play an older project that was dependent on a sound file (or sound files) that are no longer in the same place as they were on your old computer (or don't exist at all, for that matter).

Whenever you import a file into a Project, that Project is forever dependent on that original file staying put. If you replace or restore that file, the Project will work again. If you no longer have any files you've imported into the Project, then it's gone for good.

The reason Audacity displays a waveform is because it stores a low resolution picture of the zoomed out waveform so Audacity can load a Project faster. You won't be able to recreate the waveform based on that picture.

#2:

When recording, things don't appear to be syncing up properly -- I am getting a track that sounds as if it was not recorded at the right speed.

This is most likely a result of bad audio drivers (common in Vista users). First, try updating your sound card drivers. Second, try recording at a different sample rate (like 48000), does that help?

I'll be giving this a shot tonight, but your advice sounds very logical -- I know the project I was working on was NOT in the same location on my new computer. I'd bet the house you called that one on the nose. As for part #2, we shall see. I'll be sure to post on my results. And thank you very much for the help!

Yep, that was the issue. I didn't realize that the wave files had to be in the same location. Soon as I moved 'em, playback worked perfectly. And I am starting to get better results with the actual recording process as well. I'd have to say this software works pretty well in Vista, it turns out. Which is nice.