Distortion / Screechy noise on my recordings

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Could someone please help me with this. I'm using Audacity to record DJ mixes, I'm using 2 turntables and a Behringer UCA202 USB soundcard from my master out on the mixer into my MacBook Pro laptop. After recording when I play back, the recording has a massive crackly distortion noise that makes them unusable. I read that it may be because my laptop was plugged in to the mains. But even when I record with the laptop unplugged, the sound remains on the recordings. Sometimes I'll record a few minutes just to test, and the sound has disappeared. But I'll do it again, with the same set up, and the sound returns. It seems like there is no continuity as to when it happens.

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

[kozikowski]

It's a combination of MacOS, Audacity, and USB Sound Services. It's not "broken" as much as it's unstable. Comes and goes--usually at the worst times.

Is there any way to use the analog connections? Is there an analog out of your mixer/converter? Cable to the Line-In of the Mac and record that way.

Only way out I know of with this combination.

Usually this happens later. "I've been recording for days and now suddenly I get noise in my USB recordings. What's up?"

Koz

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Thanks Koz

Yes my mixer has analog outs, so I could go from phono outs on my mixer to the jack input on my laptop? Would Audacity recognise that? I thought I had to have a soundcard?

Thanks

[kozikowski]

Hopefully, the Line-Out of your mixer to the Line-In of the Mac. The Mac has a perfectly good "Sound Card" built in, although it's only good for Line (high) Level. The icon is a little circle with two black arrows pointing in.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=search

That's if your mixer happens to have RCA outputs. Your mileage may vary.

I've done some serious sound work with my PowerBook and an analog mixer that way.

Koz

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Thanks a lot

I'll give that a go