Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

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PierreBeauchemin
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Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by PierreBeauchemin » Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:03 am

When the default sample format is set to 24 bits in the Quality Preference window, Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes.
The same version has non problem with 16 bits recording.

Source: iMic USB analog/digital converter
Machine: Mac Pro (Intel CPU)
OS: Mac OS X 10.4.11
Sample rate: 44100 Hz

kozikowski
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by kozikowski » Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:21 am

<<<VAudacity version 1.2.5 crashes.>>>

Yes, it does. Old news. Try downloading Audacity version 1.3.x.

Alternately, I've been able to record live vocal performances for a theatrical short film using a nice sound mixer and 48000 / 16 bits. What are you doing that needs 24 bit?

Koz

PierreBeauchemin
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by PierreBeauchemin » Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:38 pm

Version 1.3.3 crashes also. As soon as the record button is pressed while recording 24 bits.

To eliminate the influence of the iMic (USB analog/digital converter), I switched the source to the computer analog line-level input : Same result.
Fortunately 16 bits recording works fine.

Theoretically the signal to quantification noise ratio is better with 24 bits : 144dB for 24 bits, 96 dB for 16 bits.

kozikowski
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by kozikowski » Mon Feb 25, 2008 3:08 pm

That's correct. However, if you're using an iMic, trust me, the noise floor is not 76 dB with a 20 dB headroom. I put an iMic out in the garage because its noise and distortion were clearly audible in the show.

I have two pro-sumer sound mixers and neither one will meet that specification when using a microphone. There are microphones that won't do that right out of the shrink wrap. 16 bit is not dreadful.

Koz

PierreBeauchemin
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by PierreBeauchemin » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:35 pm

For now I am converting bird, frog and various animals voices from tapes. Later I will convert old classical LPs. I heard no distorsion using the iMic but I am not a musician. The main advantage of USB analog to digital converters is that input to the computer is already digital, avoiding electrical noise inside the computer.

Do you recommend to use the computer line-in instead of the iMic?

Let's go back to the 24 bits recording bug. I have no problem recording at 16 bits. My ear won't sense the difference anyway. But I intend to report the 24 bits recording bug in the Audacity 1.3.x version forum. Either the 24 bits recording feature should be removed either the bug should be fixed.

kozikowski
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by kozikowski » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:24 pm

<<<Either the 24 bits recording feature should be removed either the bug should be fixed.>>>

Neither of which is likely to happen because the programmers are struggling to bring out Audacity 1.4.x. Can you write instruction books? They'd be really happy to hear from you.

<<<Do you recommend to use the computer line-in instead of the iMic?>>>

On a PC, I'd say you were nuts to use the built-in sound services, but the Line-In on a Mac is integrated and it does very well. I wouldn't be shocked to find out that the Line-In works better than the analog amplifiers inside the iMic. My iMic was so bad I could hear the hard drive spinning up over the music.

The only way this works well is if you spend more bucks and get a top quality USB audio device. I don't have names to hand. Berringer? Edirol?

16 bit is going to be far quieter than the groove noise on a record and enormously quieter than the oxide noise on analog audio tape.

That turns out to be BEHRINGER. Search the forums for those company names.

Koz

waxcylinder
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by waxcylinder » Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:21 am

The two devices to look at are:
Behringer UCA202
Edirol UA-1EX

Both seem to work well with Audacity (I use the Edirol, Stevetheftiddle IIRC uses the UCA202) - the Behringer is cheaper but the Edirol has more features/functionality.

These are both USB devices - I believe that there may be similar firewire devices too that may be worth considering.

WC
________________________________________FOR INSTANT HELP: (Click on Link below)
* * * * * FAQ * * * * * Tutorials * * * * * Audacity Manual * * * * *

PierreBeauchemin
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by PierreBeauchemin » Thu Feb 28, 2008 3:22 pm

I looked at these devices. Unfortunately I have to convert LPs from a turntable without amplification. It seems that both Behringer UCA202 and Edirol UA-1EX lack a preamp feature and do not correct the RIAA curve.

The reason why I bought an iMic is that it supposedly provides both preamplification and RIAA curve correction. But the former is so weak that I will need to buy a preamp anyway.

So I will follow Koz's advice. Now my plan is
1) get rid of the iMic
2) buy a preamp with or without RIAA curve correction
3) use the Mac line-in port
4) record with Audacity
5) clean the results using Click Repair and Audacity (maybe correcting RIAA curve with Audacity filters).

Probably some of you have a better idea.

waxcylinder
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Re: Audacity version 1.2.5 crashes when recording 24 bits.

Post by waxcylinder » Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:12 pm

The other device you might consider is the newly released ION URecord - it is a soundcard with a built-in pre-amp.

WC
________________________________________FOR INSTANT HELP: (Click on Link below)
* * * * * FAQ * * * * * Tutorials * * * * * Audacity Manual * * * * *

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