Instrumental track "stuttering" while recording on it

[Davide_Sblais]

Hello everybody!

I'm using Audacity 2.4.2 on Windows 10.

I used this tool a lot in the past, for simple recordings (vocal on instrumental), I love it but also I'm a total newbie
As I didn't need anything professional (just testing some new vocals) I always used the Laptop's mic (horrible quality, but got the job done to record my ideas and then test them with the band).

I recently installed the 2.4.2 version, and for the first time I used my Zoom H1 as microphone (USB connected) to record some vocals on an instrumental base.

The instrumental base is an MP3 that I imported wihtout a problem. If I simply play this track, it works like a charm, like usual.

The issue appears when I try to record on it; while I record, the instrumental track "stutters" (like with a robotic sound) every 2-3 seconds. I don't know how to describe this precisely, as this cannot be heard while listening to the recorded track. It is as if the PC is having problem recording and reproducing at the same time (like sounds when you load something heavy in a videogame, or with videoediting).

Do you think that the hardware cannot support the USB connection?
I've tried on both my laptop (ASUS UX330UA-FC117T 13.30", Full HD, Intel Core i5-7200U, 8GB, 256GB, SSD)
And also on my PC (motherboard ASUS PRIME Z370-P LGA 1151, Intel Z370, ATX)

Any help is highly appreciated, happy new year and thanks in advance!

Cheers

[kozikowski]

for the first time I used my Zoom H1 as microphone

If you use it as a stand-alone recorder and transfer the sound files, it works, right?

... an MP3 that I imported wihtout a problem.

Did you tell Windows to reveal filename extensions? Was the filename something-dot-mp3? There's no shortage of problems with "MP3 files" that turn out to be something else because Windows likes to hide filename extensions. That's fine as long as everything is working...

Does it still do that if you use the laptop built-in microphone instead of the H1n? I assume it's an H1n, right?

What else is the machine doing? Overdubbing is a crazy-high workload. The machine has to play the backing track absolutely perfectly and record your new sound absolutely perfectly at exactly the same time.

Can you make it worse? I know that's not the goal, but sometimes that can point to the problem.

Do a "clean" shutdown of Windows. Shift+Shutdown > Wait for it to clear itself > Start. Not Restart and not regular Shutdown. Set up the overdub and try it. Did it change?

Koz

[Davide_Sblais]

Thanks so much for your quick answer and input.

If you use it as a stand-alone recorder and transfer the sound files, it works, right?

Indeed, until now no issues, I also updated it to the latest Firmware.

Did you tell Windows to reveal filename extensions? Was the filename something-dot-mp3? There's no shortage of problems with "MP3 files" that turn out to be something else because Windows likes to hide filename extensions. That's fine as long as everything is working...

Yep, it's a clean MP3, no "hidden formats".

Does it still do that if you use the laptop built-in microphone instead of the H1n? I assume it's an H1n, right?

It works perfectly with the built-in mic; only issue is with the H1 (it's a good old, not an H1n).

What else is the machine doing? Overdubbing is a crazy-high workload. The machine has to play the backing track absolutely perfectly and record your new sound absolutely perfectly at exactly the same time.

I tried to shut down all background processes, so that I only have Audacity running.

Can you make it worse? I know that's not the goal, but sometimes that can point to the problem.

Do a "clean" shutdown of Windows. Shift+Shutdown > Wait for it to clear itself > Start. Not Restart and not regular Shutdown. Set up the overdub and try it. Did it change?

I don't seem to be able to make it worse for the moment; I've tried the clean shutdown, but same results.

On a side note, if I record only on a clean Audacity project (no pre-existing tracks) it works properly (except my voice seems to be a little bit too high, like if the frequency is not the correct one).

Davide

[jademan]

I don't seem to be able to make it worse for the moment; I've tried the clean shutdown, but same results.

On a side note, if I record only on a clean Audacity project (no pre-existing tracks) it works properly (except my voice seems to be a little bit too high, like if the frequency is not the correct one).

I am thinking your Audacity project rate and that of the H1 may disagree. Check that both of them are set to either 48000 or 44100. Also, in Windows, check [speaker icon] > Sounds > Recording > [H1] > Properties > Advanced > Default Format, or as Steve says, Windows Key + R > "control mmsys.cpl" > Recording...

I hope this helps.

[Davide_Sblais]

I am thinking your Audacity project rate and that of the H1 may disagree. Check that both of them are set to either 48000 or 44100. Also, in Windows, check [speaker icon] > Sounds > Recording > [H1] > Properties > Advanced > Default Format, or as Steve says, Windows Key + R > "control mmsys.cpl" > Recording...

I hope this helps.

Hell yeah, I set up both project and H1 to 48000 and it seems to be working just fine!

Thank you both for your help, really appreciate it. Happy wknd!

Cheers

[jademan]