Microphone Audio - (suddenly) Way Too Loud & Distorted

[streetassassins]

I was half way through recording a song inside audicity 1.3 Beta.
I started to record a new audio track and suddenly the microphone was 20 times louder than before.
and with alot of gain! to the point that it maxes out even with background noise.
I cant explain how bad it is sounding!

Although I am sure I didnt change any settings with the microphone or program. (perhaps it is possible I used a keyboard shortcut without knowing)
is there any setting I need to change and how do I do this?

The microphone was recording perfectly just before this started.
SamSOn Q1U - Microphone
i believe I am using windows vista?

thanks guys, I appreciate your time!

[Irish]

Were you listening to the first track on the computer's speakers while recording the new one?

If so, the microphone was picking up the sound coming from the speakers and adding it to the sound you were recording, again, and again, and again ... it's called feedback.

If that's the case, the solution is to use headphones to listen to the existing track while recording.

PO'L

[kozikowski]

Isn't it also possible to get crazy recordings by trying to record Mix-Out at the same time as your performance microphone?

Koz