Overdub Problem

[jaydeu]

I'm having a problem with multi track recording! The first track will record normally, but when I record a second track over it, it cuts in and out. It seems to cut in only during quieter parts of the first track such as spaces between words. If I un-check the overdub box so that I can't hear the 1st track, I can record a second track just fine, and hear them both together when I hit play afterward. However, this isn't a good solution because I'm trying to record back-up harmonies.

Extra Info:
- I'm using a HP laptop running Windows 7, which has a built in microphone. I'm not recording through the build in mic, but a regular one plugged into a sound board which is hooked into the mic jack.
- I'm using Audacity v. 1.3.12 beta, but I also tried 1.2.6 and had the exact same problem.
- Using headphones doesn't seem to make any difference to the problem.

Thanks for your help. I hope this isn't a repeat, I've done a lot of searching in the past few days and couldn't find anything.

[kozikowski]

I can give you the fuzzy, global idea what to look for. You may be recording more than you think you are. Check the Windows Control Panels and make sure you don't have What-U-Hear or Stereo-Mix selected. That's the setting you need to record internet audio, but it's death on live musical performances.

Since you're on a Windows Laptop, it's better than even chance that your machine is set for video or audio conferencing, like Skype. To do that, it sends the show through extensive sound management to help with echoes, room noise, and feedback. This is deadly during a live performance as well.

That's also set in the Windows Control Panels. Look for settings that say "Auto" anything or maybe Echo Cancellation. The words change. Turn it off.

Koz

[jaydeu]

Thanks for your reply. There's a "Communications" tab in the Sound manager of the control panel, that has an option to mute or reduce other sounds when communication activity is detected (during telephone or skype calls). It was already set on "do nothing" though so I don't think that is the problem.

I don't think Windows 7 has a Stereo Mix or What-u-hear option. There seem to be a lot of people who get Windows 7 and then have a whole lot of trouble trying to record streaming audio. As a double check, I tried recording a song from youtube and it did not work, so if the option is there somewhere it's not turned on at least.

[kozikowski]

<<<a regular one plugged into a sound board which is hooked into the mic jack. >>>

It may be time for part numbers. What kind of microphone and what kind of sound board?

Typically, you would plug the microphone directly into the Mic-In using whatever adapters are needed for your microphone. Many Laptop PCs do not allow a line-level, powerful, stereo mixer to be plugged into the Mic-In. Mic-In is expecting a tiny, delicate, mono microphone signal.

You may get it to work on a limited basis, but as you try more complex production, the system may fall apart. You're running the computer in a stressed condition.

Some Windows PCs allow switching between Mic-In and Stereo Line-In. Some laptops have a Stereo Line-In (sometimes blue). Consult your instructions. If you're stuck, many people have been able to use a simple USB Sound Card like the UCA-202.

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx

Koz

[jaydeu]

I'm using a small Peavey PV6 soundboard with a Shure mic. To check if the problem was with the microphone and board setup, I unplugged it all and tried recording simply with the laptop's built in microphone. The problem persists in exactly the same way.
That sounds like good advice though, once I get this problem sorted out I may have to alter my set-up too.

[steve]

What "Quality" settings do you have - in Audacity AND in the Control Panel (Sounds section)?
The Quality settings in Audacity are in "Edit menu > Preferences > Quality".
For the settings in Windows 7 - I don't use Win 7, but there's some info here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel

[jaydeu]

Hi Steve, my Quality settings are set to 44100 Hz in Audacity and for the microphone and speakers as well. I went through the settings instructions in that link, but the problem is the same.
My dad has a desktop computer with Windows 7, and I tried downloading Audacity onto his computer and got the same problem. Another thing I tried was downloading a trial copy of Adobe Audition. Same problem again .

[steve]

I think that the problem you are having is due to a data bottleneck. Somewhere in the system the "throughput" of data is just too slow to allow the data to go in both directions (playback from the hard drive and record to the hard drive) at the same time. If this is the case, then problem is in discovering where the bottleneck is. There's a whole list of suggestions on this page: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Manag ... nd_Drivers

[jaydeu]

I went through the list in that link, but the problem persisted. I'm working on a very new laptop with hardly any space used up, so I'm not sure if it would be a speed problem.

I think I've found a way of fixing it after recording though. I zoomed in and saw that the 2nd track really was being recorded all the way through, except sometimes just very quietly. All I have to do is select the 2nd track and 'normalize' it, then select the louder blips and use 'amplify' on a negative setting to make them the same size as the rest of the sound. 3rd tracks and above don't have the problem nearly as much, and just need to be normalized (since by that point a lot of the spaces in the music have been filled in so there aren't as many loud bits).

Thanks for your help.

[steve]

I zoomed in and saw that the 2nd track really was being recorded all the way through, except sometimes just very quietly.

In that case it does not sound like it's due to a data bottleneck - it sounds far more like the sound card is trying to do noise suppression, but why it should only be on the second track and not the first I've no idea.