playback "muffled/out of phase sound

[esoterica]

Hi, i am having trouble with my Audacity playback track(s).
I have used two different mics, Sony F-V100 AND A Labtech computer mic....(not together obviously)
I have been recording single acoustic guitar tracks, bare bones, and when i play the track back it has a slightly muffled/out of phase/flanged sound.
I have looked at the phase effect, added that and then back to normal. Didn't help....also tried the noise removal and invert....to no avail! Signal is strong and i really use this for retaining song, melody ideas.....would love to have a clear usable track though!
I had the same problem with the 1.2.6 ,which un-installed and now, with the beta 1.3.12...........
I used the Labtech mic before with great success with a previous laptop.
Any ideas and help would be gratefully received...thanks Eso

[steve]

Laptop PC, Windows Vista, on-board sound card?

[esoterica]

Thanks Steve...i am PC Windows Home Edition service pack two plugging the mic in the back of the tower.........sorry, should have added that Eso

[esoterica]

Not really up on sound cards Steve..this is what i found, is that the sound card?
Unimodem half-duplex audio device .............in my Dell Dimension 4550 tower
Thanks for the response Eso

[steve]

PC Windows Home Edition service pack

Is that "XP home edition SP2" or "Vista home edition SP2"?
(sorry, but it makes a big difference)

[esoterica]

So sorry for all the emails....this is what i have ......Creative SB live! Series (WDM) ......can i assume that is the sound card?
Thanks again Steve

[esoterica]

Sorry Steve, Widows XP home etc......

[esoterica]

Would it help Steve, if i recorded a sample of what i am getting and send to you...
in WAVE (TO AVOID THE MP3 COMPRESSION) ??

[steve]

Creative SB live!

That's your sound card.

With this sound card installed on an XP machine there is usually the "Creative Mixer" installed that has an icon near to the Time/Date on the Desktop. Have you got that? If so, open the Creative Mixer and check to see what is selected as the Recording source. It's probably set to "What U Hear" but should be set to "Microphone".

Also in Audacity, near the bottom of the Transport menu you should have "Overdub" selected and "Software Playthrough" NOT selected.

[esoterica]

Good morning Steve, i really appreciate your efforts here.....
Ok, i had to do a "search" for "CREATIVE MIXER"...no icon next to or near the clock, for some reason! Said it was in programme files but it wasn't, mmmmmmm?? Anyway, i did find it....
It appears corrupt to me...when you click on some of the components you get messages....."cannot load"...."load library failed"
"the specific module could not be found" etc
When i click on the "blue question mark" option it takes me to where i can click on "recording source" and when i do it does everything but give me the settings button........it gives an over view and explanation and what the setting button looks like but goes nowhere....
Can "CREATIVE MIXER" be un-installed and re-installed?
Audacity setting are now as you recommended, "Overdub" selected and "Software Play through" not..........
And under those two "Sound activated Recording" is off....Sound activation level is on??
Sound card driver updated, by the way....
Thanks again, have a great weekend Ray (Eso)