Audacity Forum

Hello. I'm using Audacity beta for windows on windows xp. I have a problem where there is white noise/static/feedback in the background whenever I record. I've tried using different mics, different mixers, different ports, all that. Even when nothing is plugged in and I just do a blank recording there's white noise. I tried the old audacity and I don't have this problem, so it definitely seems to be the audacity beta program specifically.

I've been able to get away with it by hiding the white noise with the music, but now I'm trying to do a quiet recording and can't have it present, and prefer to use the beta version instead of the old version. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so is there a way to fix this? An update, plug-in, a setting, etc? I've searched this forum, youtube, and other sites online and haven't been able to find anything that helped.

I need to record as soon as possible, so hope to hear from some one soon. Thank you very much.

It's almost certainly to do with your sound card, and most likely just a setting that needs changing.
What sort of sound card are you using?
Which version of Windows?
Which inputs are enabled in the Recording section of the sound cards mixer application?

Sound Card Mixer: Creative SB Audigy 4 [DD00]

System: Microsoft XP
Home Edition
Version: 2002
Service Pack 3

Computer: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor
3400+
1.99 GHz, 1.93 GB of RAM

Only the microphones are enabled in the recording section of the sound cards mixer application.

Thanks, that rules out a lot of possibilities.

ssweet83 wrote:Only the microphones are enabled in the recording section of the sound cards mixer application.

What happens if you change it to recording from a different input, for example the CD or the Line input?

I presume that you are using headphones to monitor while recording and not speakers?
and there are no other microphones or video cameras attached (or built in) to the computer?

Thank you.

I didn't try to CD or line input, but I can.

Yes, I only use headphone while recording and no other mics are plugged in or anything like that. And actually, just so you know, I received this noise when I didn't have anything plugged in, no mics, no mixers, nothing, just hit record. I've tried shutting off nearby lights, the monitor, and anything else I thought might cause interference.