Sound is distorted when recording (w/ Logitech C270 webcam)

[GabEpidemic]

I've always used Auduacity to record guitar drafts through my Logitech HD Webcam C270 microphone.
It always worked good on my old computer.

On this new computer, the sound recorded is distorted.
The distortion begins 1-2 seconds after the beginning of the sound.
I won't describe it, here's a mp3 sample:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/696 ... ample1.mp3

I have Win 8.1
Audio: NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Mic: Logitech HD Webcam C270

I used the webcam on other computers and it works perfectly.

Sorry, I'm have a little knowledge on the subject, that's why I'm here!
Thanks in advance to those who will help me

[kozikowski]

Your new computer probably has Windows Enhanced Services so to make Skype and other voice conferencing sound better. It hates music.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/fa ... hancements

You could have other "services" like that as well depending on your computer. Certainly start there.

Koz

[Gale Andrews]

Also plug the web cam into an empty USB port, not into a USB hub.

Gale

[GabEpidemic]

Your new computer probably has Windows Enhanced Services so to make Skype and other voice conferencing sound better. It hates music.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/fa ... hancements

You could have other "services" like that as well depending on your computer. Certainly start there.

Koz

Thanks for your reply.
I checked out the link but I can get till here: "Right-click over Microphone (or whatever device you are recording from) and choose Properties"
I have no " Enhancements tab where you can disable all or selected "Sound Effects" - if needs be, also look in the Levels or Custom tabs "
I have Windows 8.1.
Now that you told me, the Noise Suppression thing sounds just like my problem: " If the recording is fading out after a few seconds, look for a "Noise Suppression" setting you can turn off in the Recording side of the sound device settings. " That's the problem I think.

Is there any video or walkthrough I could watch? I can't find the tabs for those settings to change.

For Gale: the cam is not in a USB hub.

Thank you guys for your help!

[kozikowski]

The Windows microphone thing is a shortcut. You should also be able to get there through Windows Control Panels or whatever they call it now.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... trol-panel

Koz

[Gale Andrews]

Your new computer probably has Windows Enhanced Services so to make Skype and other voice conferencing sound better. It hates music.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/fa ... hancements

You could have other "services" like that as well depending on your computer. Certainly start there.

Koz

Thanks for your reply.
I checked out the link but I can get till here: "Right-click over Microphone (or whatever device you are recording from) and choose Properties"
I have no " Enhancements tab where you can disable all or selected "Sound Effects" - if needs be, also look in the Levels or Custom tabs "
I have Windows 8.1.
Now that you told me, the Noise Suppression thing sounds just like my problem: " If the recording is fading out after a few seconds, look for a "Noise Suppression" setting you can turn off in the Recording side of the sound device settings. " That's the problem I think.

Is there any video or walkthrough I could watch? I can't find the tabs for those settings to change.

So you did right-click over the speaker icon by the system clock, then choose "Recording Devices"? Then you right-clicked over the Logitech then choose "Properties"? What tabs are there? It doesn't surprise me if there is no "Enhancements" tab - that usually appears for the internal or external mic of the built-in sound device, but you have a USB device.

I assume from the waveform that it is a recording problem and not a playback problem.

Are you recording from the correct input in Device Toolbar? Don't record from stereo mix or the built-in mic.

On the "Advanced" tab of the Logitech recording properties, have you tried enabling both "Exclusive Mode" boxes, then restarting Audacity and choosing "Windows DirectSound" host in Device Toolbar?

Are you running Skype? Try shutting Skype down.


Gale

[GabEpidemic]

I know how to get to the control panel and how to access to the audio settings.
The problem is that I don't have any tabs about enhanchements, thus I can't find any Noise Suppression option to disable.
I've googled everything but I couldn't come up with a solution.

[Gale Andrews]

I know how to get to the control panel and how to access to the audio settings.
The problem is that I don't have any tabs about enhanchements, thus I can't find any Noise Suppression option to disable.
I've googled everything but I couldn't come up with a solution.

Have you tried my further suggestions?

Gale

[GabEpidemic]

Hi Gale,
I tried them now, sorry I missed them before.

Both "Exclusive Modes" boxes were already enabled. I tried with the disabled, but nothing changed.

In the device tool bar I have set my USB webcam as recording device.
I tried MME and DirectSound as well. No change.
I've tried WASAPI as well, but the recording doesn't even start.

Thanks for your help!

ps: yes, it's a recording issue, not playback. the waveform shows it.
Skype is not running.

[Gale Andrews]

Both "Exclusive Modes" boxes were already enabled. I tried with the disabled, but nothing changed.

In the device tool bar I have set my USB webcam as recording device.
I tried MME and DirectSound as well. No change.
I've tried WASAPI as well, but the recording doesn't even start.

The WASAPI host is currently only for recording computer playback.

But as a diagnostic experiment, see what happens if you send the web cam input to your speakers and record the speakers. Right-click over the speaker icon by the system clock, then choose "Recording Devices". Right-click over the Logitech then choose "Properties". Then click the "Listen" tab (assuming it exists. Enable "Listen to this device" and choose your normal computer audio device for playback. OK once.

Now click the "Communications" tab of Windows Sound. Under "When Windows detects communications activity:", choose "Do nothing". That should not have any effect when you are recording just the mic, but it may help when you are recording computer playback. Click OK.

Restart Audacity then choose WASAPI host. For playback device, choose the device you chose in "Listen". For recording device, choose the "(Loopback)" input for the device you chose in "Listen". Start singing or speaking then press Record.


Gale