Timer Record freezes but recording continues

[PaulKVan]

I'm running 2.1.2 (downloaded as .exe) under Windows 10 to digitize LPs, tapes, etc. At times, Timer Record freezes, while recording continues. Clicking Stop in the Timer Record window gets no response. Because Timer Record prevents access to the rest of the program, I have to crash Audacity with Windows Task Manager and re-start it. This can usually be corrected by re-booting the Sony VAIO laptop, but I can't see a cause. Freezing at 10 sec into a record is common, but I've seen 0 (ie. the timer doesn't start to scroll) and later in a record project. Anyone have any ideas?

[waxcylinder]

I have to ask the basic question: why do you feel the need to use Timer record to capture Tapes and LPs?

I assume so that it's so you can go away and leeave it unattended while you do something else - but surelylosingaccess to the controls while Timer Record is running is a big sacrifice.

Certainly when I converted my many LPs and Tapes I never used Timer Record - preferring to monitor the recording as it took place (I also have four very active cats!)

Even if you don't use Timer Record but do walk away and leave Audacity recording what's the worst that can happen - all you will get is an hour or so of "silence" after the end of the audio - and that "silence" is very easy to delete. This of course presumes that you a) have sufficient disk space and b) don't go away for the weekend or on holiday with it running.

On the technical issue - I'm somewhat surprised that you find Timer Record freezing. I have used it for many years now several times a week on XP, W7 and latterly W10 and have never encountered that. There are some known problems with the spinner controls that set the recording times so you do have to be careful to ensure what you have set for those. And we did used to have a moonphase bug whereby Audaciy TR carried on recording past it's pre-set termination date/time, but I have bot experiences this for years now.

WC

[PaulKVan]

Yes, I'd do use the Timer Record for convenience. You refer to the "spinner controls that set the recording times". Do you mean the small windows in the Timer Record window in which you "dial up" the start time and duration? Please clarify. Thanks for the response.

[Gale Andrews]

We did used to have a moonphase bug whereby Audaciy TR carried on recording past it's pre-set termination date/time, but I have bot experiences this for years now.

The bug is still open http://bugzilla.audacityteam.org/show_bug.cgi?id=42 - this is the third apparent report in 2.1.2 since release.

I think the timer is a wxWidgets timer and the update we made to wxWidgets 3 for 2.1.2 could have caused problems on a few machines.

If you (PaulKVan) follow steps 1 to 4 at http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/fa ... html#timer to manually select when to end recording, does the recording freeze up, and if not does it stop at the correct time?

What is the recording device (make and model number)? Reboots are good for USB recording devices. On Windows 10 a cold boot is recommended (Windows key, Power Menu, SHIFT-click on Shut Down).

Gale

[Gale Andrews]

You refer to the "spinner controls that set the recording times". Do you mean the small windows in the Timer Record window in which you "dial up" the start time and duration?

Yes. Are you advancing the Start Date to the next day?

Gale

[PaulKVan]

Thanks, Gale. The method in the link you posted, ie. using the Add Track function with a segment of the appropriate length, worked fine. I tried the Timer Record method immediately after that, checking to see that the timer windows were tracking the system clock properly and ensuring that today's date was in the window (I started recording immediately). It froze at 10 sec. I'm now doing another recording per the directions in your link, and it's working fine. My recording device is an ART USB Phono Plus. Audacity came bundled with it. I hope this helps.

[Gale Andrews]

I tried the Timer Record method immediately after that, checking to see that the timer windows were tracking the system clock properly and ensuring that today's date was in the window (I started recording immediately). It froze at 10 sec.

Thanks, Paul. If you set an immediate Timer Record of 5 seconds duration, does it usually stop correctly?

Gale

[PaulKVan]

It stops properly after 5 sec. Also after 7 sec. Then it froze at 10 sec.

[Gale Andrews]

It stops properly after 5 sec. Also after 7 sec. Then it froze at 10 sec.

Thanks for confirming.

Does setting a longer "Audio to buffer" at Edit > Preferences..., Recording tab (such as 4000 milliseconds) make any difference to the issue? Note that Transport > Software Playthrough should be off (not ticked) to test that.


Gale

[PaulKVan]

Tried 4000 as suggested, with software play through off, and it stuck at 10 sec. So no luck.