New tracks out of sync with each other

[pmiconline]

I do multi-track recording, usually 6-10 tracks, depending on the number of instruments and vocals. I listen to the recorded tracks from Audacity while recording new ones.

Recently when I add a track and go to play back, the new track is ahead of the base track by about 1/4 of a timeline segment.
So I manually cut and paste enough blank space to match the new track with the base track. I have to do this every time I add a new track.

I presume that I have something turned on or off that created this situation, as it did not happen before, but I can't find any info in the user guide about it.

Any advice regarding correcting this issue is most appreciated.

Thank you.

[kozikowski]

I don't know why it should change (other than system slowing down or becoming overloaded). That's Recording Latency.

Audacity > Edit > Preferences > Recording > Latency Correction.

That tells Audacity how much correction to apply so that the new performance lines up perfectly with the old ones or rhythm track.

You can dig through the Overdubbing Tutorial, but the short form is:

Start a new project and Generate > Click Track. Go for 30 seconds or a minute. Not important.

Go into full overdubbing recording and jam your headphones against your microphone so the mic picks up the track.



Inspect the new track and the difference between the two clicks is the amount to add to the latency number already there.



Then do it again to see if you corrected the right direction.



This doesn't work if you have Audacity configured to listen to yourself in real time. Overdubbing should be the only thing selected in the Recording panel.

Koz