chipmunk effect

[steve]

Then my voice recording began to play back slower than recorded, what turned out to be 10%

When it changes, does it suddenly switch to a different speed, or gradually drift and then settle on a different speed?

I am attempting to record a 1-hour radio program.

How are you doing that? Are you using "WASAPI loopback"?

What happens if you try recording a CD or DVD or some other "local" (not on-line) audio source?

[wiggymac]

When I say recording a radio program, I mean producing it for later uploading to a radio station. I choose the music and call in (import audio) the songs to Audacity. Then I comment directly recording my voice after the song and introduce the next song to be called into the program.

When I start to record my voice in between songs, it may record at the same speed as the previous, so at normal speed. Or it may record and then replay at a faster speed or, as I now find, at a slower speed. So, I am having to correct the speed. The music that I import all stays at the right speed, so it is only the interim voice recordings that go off, faster or slower.

I think the easiest is likely to go back and download for us an older version of Audacity, like the one I used to use before this newest version cam along. I never ever had this sort of issue before and it totally stymies me. I would, of course, prefer to deal with the problem and continue using the current version of the software.

[jademan]

I would, of course, prefer to deal with the problem and continue using the current version of the software.

Have you determined whether the speed problem is a recording problem or a playback problem? I'm thinking you may have a USB? device with an intermittent clock. Have you tried substituting the device with either your built-in mic/spkr or a different USB or cable?

[steve]

When I say recording a radio program, I mean producing it for later uploading to a radio station. I choose the music and call in (import audio) the songs to Audacity. Then I comment directly recording my voice after the song and introduce the next song to be called into the program.

OK, I understand.
How is your microphone connected to the computer?

I think the easiest is likely to go back and download for us an older version of Audacity, like the one I used to use

Not a bad idea to try that. If the problem is still there then we will know that the problem isn't Audacity and we can look elsewhere for the cause.
Some old (genuine) versions are available here: https://www.fosshub.com/Audacity-old.html

[wiggymac]

My mike is a USB one.

Okay, so I downloaded an older version [2.0.6 - I don't remember at all what version I was using before I downloaded the latest] and installed it on a USB key. I have now just completed another hour of recording with imported music and it went flawlessly.

So I think there is something either that I am doing unawares (and I haven't the least notion what it could possibly be) or something that the new Audacity doesn't like about my computer (or me?).

Anyway, I am happy to go on using the older version. It works well and produces what I need.

[steve]

2.0.6 - I don't remember at all what version I was using before I downloaded the latest

If you want to try a more recent version, try 2.3.2. That is the first version to have MP3 export built in (rather than a separate download).