Buzzing and audio distortion after recording with mic

[Mac321]

Hello,

I recorded some voice work in audacity with a headset mic.

After recording with my mic I listened to the files in Audacity and around two different spots the audio turns into this buzzing and distorted version of what I was saying. I can still hear myself speaking but it is heavily distorted.

Is there a setting I'm missing to keep this from happening?

Attached is a 10 second clip of the issue.

[steve]

I recorded some voice work in audacity with a headset mic.

Was that a USB headset mic?

There is data corruption every 44 samples.

[Mac321]

Indeed it was!

Is that a problem? What is the solution?

Thanks!

[steve]

The problem may be due to poor USB connectivity.

Some general tips that often help with USB problems:

Avoid using USB hubs - USB audio devices should always be connected directly to the computer USB port.
Ensure that the USB plug is securely located in the USB socket.
if using a full-size computer, try using the USB sockets on the back rather than sockets on the front.
If possible, avoid using other USB devices at the same time as you are recording.
Avoid running processes that may put a heavy CPU load on the computer while you are recording - ideally shut down all non-essential programs and services when recording.
Try using the microphone in a different socket.

[Mac321]

Thanks for the tips, I will try a couple out.

If these do not work do you think it is a driver problem? I guess I could just get a stereo mic but since I already have the USB one I was hoping to avoid it.

Thanks!

[steve]

Most USB microphones just use the default Windows drivers, so unless your microphone uses some special drivers I think it is unlikely to be a driver problem.

[Mac321]

Alright.

So to be clear, this is definitely a USB mic issue? Is this to say that if, after moving the ports and ensuring proper connection (keep in mind this is a very nice headset plugged into a high performing gaming computer with a new motherboard for US?B slots) I have no option but to use a headset with a stereo jack?

Is there anything I can try and do to fix this?

Thanks again in advance!

[kozikowski]

<<<to use a headset with a stereo jack?>>>

Two "stereo" plugs and one of them isn't stereo.

The headphone uses the connection in the top illustration and the microphone uses the connection on the bottom.

http://www.kozco.com/tech/audioconnecto ... ctors.html

Koz

[kozikowski]

Do you have like a million USB things connected to your machine? It's not unusual for only one internal system to try and keep track of all the USB connectors on your machine and real time anything always suffers.

As an experiment, disconnect and turn off as many services and devices as you can. Kill the network, disconnect all the external drives, gaming devices, etc. etc. Now try to capture. Does it still have those holes in it?

Koz

[Barni]

Hi, I am having the same problems. We are using a mic which plugs in with a jack and there is a lot of "clicking" on the voice recordings. Any suggestions? We have recorded about 8 different files and they are all the same.