noise

[raycorf]

I started to use Audacity 1.2.6 last winter together with a USB ION turntable to transfer my vinyl over to computer operating Windows ver. 5.1 with Service Pack 3.
It went very well until the summer months when I took a break. I was extremely pleased with the progress.
However, on resumption last week the ‘system’ has developed an intermittent but extremely frustrating ‘fault’. For some reason during recording there appears a horrible hissing/screeching noise that completely drowns out the music. I stop recording, delete the unfinished/damaged track from Audacity and re-commence the recording. Most times it continues recording satisfactorily, but occasionally that noise re-appears and I have to go through the stop/start procedure all over again. It is most annoying and time consuming. The vinyl and stylus seem to be OK as I eventually get a complete and good recording.
Does anyone have any idea what might be the cause of this ‘hitch’?
The FAQs don’t appear to cover this situation.
I look forward to any reply with great interest.
raycorf

[kozikowski]

The time gap could have caused a slight degradation in the USB connection. Pull and reseat the connection several times, or try a different socket.

Koz

[steve]

I was just posting this when I saw the reply from Koz, but I was about to say the same thing - it sounds like the USB is loosing its connection.
(it gets a brief mention on this page in the Audacity wiki: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/USB_turntables )

[raycorf]

Many thanks Koz and Steve.
Have 'wiggled' the connection at the turntable and swopped the usb end from a HUB to a port in the computer and have completed a whole LP with none of that 'noise'.
I think you have cracked it for me.
Again, many thanks.
raycorf

[billw58]

Many thanks Koz and Steve.
Have 'wiggled' the connection at the turntable and swopped the usb end from a HUB to a port in the computer and have completed a whole LP with none of that 'noise'.
I think you have cracked it for me.

Ah, the hub may have been the issue. We (and most audio equipment manufacturers) recommend not using a hub when transferring audio.

-- Bill

[kozikowski]

Yes. Hubs can cause problems. USB is not a graceful, swanlike, transfer of valuable data. USB only goes one way at a time, so it's constantly stopping the ball game and reversing direction. If you have services that are time critical, like audio, you can have problems.

Koz