Audacity Forum

Hi all
I've just set up my deck and have recorded successfully but it's almost like the lp is scratched ... which it isn't ... or the software cannot keep up with the inputs resulting in missed bits of the recording.
I'm a newbie to this, but reasonably tech savvie, so any suggestions would be brill.
Thanks in advance

tell us all about what your setup is and all about how you used it. could be lots of things. you need to help us help you.

what deck, what software, what pc, what sound card, what settings, what options, what commands/manual_operations, etc.

vlegeek wrote:or the software cannot keep up with the inputs resulting in missed bits of the recording.

There's a high likelihood that you're close to the mark there. It's probably not the software, but this sounds like you have a data bottleneck somewhere.

USB devices can be rather prone to this - are you using a USB turntable?
If you are, have a look at this section of the Audacity wiki - it has a lot of information, including trouble shooting tips regarding USB turntables: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/USB_turntables

HI, I've encountered the same exact problem! I'm using a Dell Studio 17 laptop with Vista (YUCK) 32-bit SP2 and a Denon analog turntable / JVC analog receiver into an M-Audio Transit USB audio interface, for which I am using the correct driver. In one instance it's like a fraction of a second of music / time is just missing - no click or anything. In another instance, there was no time missing, but a tiny "digital glitch" sound that anyone who's downloaded shoddy mp3's from a P2P app is familiar with -- that superquick "pitched-up" sound. Anyone who has any experience with vinyl records knows neither of these could have come from the source.

As in my previous post, USB devices can be prone to this problem.

penna wrote:...for which I am using the correct driver

No argument about it being the "correct" driver, but it is worth checking on the manufacturers web site to see if it is the "latest" driver. Drivers are often rewritten so as to improve performance. This is particularly true on Vista and Windows 7 because in many cases the original drivers were released in a hurry after Microsoft changed their sound system shortly before releasing the new operating system.

Other than that I can only suggest that you look at the article that I posted the link for previously - it contains a whole range of suggestions relating to this problem.

When I recently installed the updated driver for my Edirol USB soundcard I noted that in the instructions it advised that:

Performance Options" settings of System Properties
Our tests show that occasional disruptions in the sound may occur if the following setting is not made. By making this setting, you may be able to alleviate the problem. Please be sure to make the setting before using the unit.

Open the "Control Panel," and double-click "System."
* If the above icon cannot be found, click the "Performance and Maintenance," and click the "System."

In Windows 2000, click the "Advanced" tab, and then click [Performance Options].
In Windows XP, click the "Advanced" tab, click [Settings] in "Performance," and then click the "Advanced" tab.
Select "Background services," and click [OK].

Click [OK] to close "System Properties."

This may help your USB soundcard too.

WC

Regarding setting Vista's Control Panel, System, Advanced System Properties, Advanced tab, Performance Settings button, Advanced tab, under Processor scheduling, "Adjust for best performance of:" why would I select "Background Services" instead of "Programs" ? Wouldn't Audacity be considered a Program that I'd want most of the processor's resources to be prioritized for? In fact, I realized that I haven't been disabling my Avast AntiVirus real-time protection during recording, something I'd never DREAM of doing without back in Win 98 days; wouldn't something like antivirus be more of a Background Service? Why would I want to prioritize something like that? If I'm mistaken and there's an important audio job that is actually considered a background service, please explain; thanks.

penna wrote:" why would I select "Background Services" instead of "Programs" ?

It doesn't sound logical does it - but it's correct.
Windows treats the sound system as a "Background Service" - giving priority to Background Services give priority to the sound system.