horrible feedback kinda sound

[alatham]

robob,

Does the turntable work normally? Can you record it using Windows Sound Recorder (comes with XP)?

[robob42]

Turntable works ok through hi fi and pc, tried sound recorder and still the same thing, music plays and records through pc but I still get the high pitched tone. I've updated sound card driver but still no joy.

[alatham]

That last post is a little confusing. You said it works ok through your hi fi and your pc. But then you also said you constantly get the noise while playing through the pc.

Can you clarify that for us? You should be able to monitor the turntable signal through the PC speakers without hearing anything odd (don't record the turntable, just listen to it).

If you can then you probably don't have a hardware problem. If you can't then it probably is a hardware problem.

We need to know if this problem only occurs while recording, or if it occurs all the time while going through the computer. Also, does the sound occur on top of the music, or is the music completely replaced by the high pitched tone?

[robob42]

Hi alatham.....Turntable works through hi fi with no problem. The only time I get the noise is when I click record, this is also the only time I can hear anything through the speakers from the turntable. The noise I get is over the top of the music and also if I click record with nothing coming through the turntable. Many thanks for you time for trying to help me here....much appreciated.

[alatham]

OK, so this noise seems to be generated by your sound card while recording...

You said you can't hear anything through the turntable until you record. Most cards will allow you to set the OS up to monitor (listen to) the input even when not recording. You'll have to do this through your sound card driver software or through Windows Control Panel stuff. Try and do that and see if the problem occurs all the time or just when recording.

This page should help you do that:
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel

At this point though, the problem really seems to be related to your sound card hardware. Have you ever used it to record, or listen to, outside audio device before?

Most likely you'll need a new sound card.

[robob42]

OK......Tried everything I have been advised to do......here's the kicker......I have 3 pc's, 2 are XP, 1 is Vista (laptop).
I get the same noise on ALL 3 pc's.....now i'm totally confused!! I used the laptop as far away as possible from other electrical sources in case it could have been interference but still no joy. Beginning to think I may have a faulty turntable...any more suggestions anybody?

[alatham]

It certainly seems like you've got a dead USB turntable. I can't think of anything else to try.

[robob42]

Found out what it was.......the turntable was for EUROPEAN electrical output, therefore it had no earth(ground for the Americans out there). The turntable and recording works fine now....except.....after i've done everything I want to do then go to export files it goes through the motions but when I go to the file it won't play. It comes up on media player as playing but no sound.....any idea's anybody?

[alatham]

If you re-export that file back into Audacity what do you see? Was it exported to WAV or MP3 (or something else)?

[robob42]

Alatham, thanks a lot for all your help. My own fault......when I was messing around with the sound card settings I had selected USB codec as playback instead of the soundcard. Everything works fine now and i'm enjoying listening to all my old vinyl.....life is now good. once again thanks for your patience and help.