Audacity Forum

Hello,

I am having issues overdubbing using Audacity 2x. I'm using Windows 7 64bit with the built in realtec sound card.

With each track I create, more and more noise is present on each suceeding track. It's perplexing to say the least. There is no noise, static or hiss when I am listening to it live.

It sounds like it is picking up some interference, then with each track added, magnifying that noise. However, if its picking up that noise, if there is indeed noise somewhere, that it should also be magnifying the guitar on each suceeding track. But it is not. What I am recording, the instrument sounds like its recording just fine. Somehow noise is sneaking in.

I am using Zoom r16 audio interface as a mixer only (Not as an audio interface since it doesn't work with Audacity. Wrong drivers I suppose. I'd love to be able to use the zoom as an audio interface though.)

I have a cable going from the out of the Zoom into the line-in hole on the back of the sound card. I have my guitar hooked to track one on the Zoom. (This part doesn't matter but stating it so you'll get the picture on how my setup is exactly.)

That's pretty much it. I don't have this issue on my other pc, which is Audacity 2x running on windows Xp using an Audigy2 sound card. Basically same setup with the mixer.

So I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions? Something to look at in the Audacity preferences?

Thanks.

I'm not sure what's going-on here... When you mix, the sound is added/summed, so yes, noise is added for each track. But, the signals are added too.... So when you mix, you have to reduce the overall levels to prevent clipping (distortion) and the net result should be an improved signal-to-noise level.

I am using Zoom r16 audio interface as a mixer only (Not as an audio interface since it doesn't work with Audacity.

I don't own a Zoom, but I believe you are supposed to record to the Zoom. Then you can transfer the file digitally to your computer/hard drive via USB. That way, your Realtek soundcard isn't involved, except perhaps for monitoring. Once you have an audio file on your hard drive, you can use any audio software of your choice.

Or, you can do all of your mixing in the Zoom, and transfer your finished WAV file to your computer.

DVDdoug, Thank you for the prompt reply.

Yeah, I know I can record directly to the SD card inside the Zoom. However, it responds slowly when it comes to rewinding and fast forwarding. I guess because its digital? Who knows. The overall process of recording with the Zoom is clunky.

Plus, I am blind. Using the "R" to record and the "S" to record in Audacity is so much simpler. And suffice it to say, stopping and playing is a simple matter of tapping the space bar.

As for my initial issue, I got it figured out. At least I think. I had the overall line-in too high. It was at 100%. *smirks* My oversight. pardon the pun. I've backed it all the way down to 30% and the noise has left.
I have another Audacity question, this one about the effects.

To preface a moment, I use Sound Forge a lot and it allows you to preview an effect on the highlighted audio, as a loop, and you can then go up and down the list of effects, hearing how each sound. Its really nice.

However Audacity doesn't work this way, or at least I don't think so. It seems as if you can only preview one effect at a time. That is, you have to wait for the processing of the effect on the highlighted audio to finish before having access to other effects you might want to try out. In other words, one you click on preview, the window goes away and doesn't come back until you hit stop or escape out of the preview window. Is there a work around with this?
Thank you.