Odd problem with recording--different on different computers

[DarthMarth]

I just discovered that for some reason my desktop and laptop computers get different results when recording the same thing in Audacity. My laptop is using version 1.3.5 and my desktop has version 1.3.8. The recording on the laptop seems rougher, less precise than that on the desktop, and the left channel is very slightly louder than the right. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Different versions, different hardware, different recording/playback devices?

[kozikowski]

Remembering we can't look over your shoulder, what are you recording exactly and how is it connected?

Koz

[waxcylinder]

For a start the soundcards are likely to be different. Your are using different inoput sockets and probably different cabling ...

WC

[DarthMarth]

Sorry if I failed to mention--I am recording the computer's inner audio, i.e. what is passing through the internal sound system, with no external connections. For instance, I could play the same song on my computer while recording it in Audacity, and on one computer it would come out looking nicer than the other. (On one it would look like the original file, on the other it would be a bit rougher and slightly louder in one ear--not quite noticeable when listening, but visible in Audacity) My laptop (the one that doesn't record as well) likely has some kind of integrated sound system with a Realtek HD audio driver (version 6.0.1.5904).

[kozikowski]

The process of recording Mix-Out or What-U-Hear is completely up to the operating system, the sound card (the hardware), and the software drivers. The point at which the music "turns around" in the playback side and re-enters the recording side could be engineered to be after the conversion to analog. This could give you fuzzy and slightly off captures.

There is only one person who wants perfect capture performances from the internet -- you. The manufacturers, corporations, and entertainment companies would just as soon that trick would go away -- and they're making the computer and software.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Conspiracy theories aside, it's really easy to record too many things. If you have your live microphone turned on in addition to the capture pathways, you could get a seriously compromised show.

This is insanely easy to do if you run Skype or other communication software.

Koz