2 track recording problems

[mkilla]

I am having major problems with trying to record multiple tracks over one another. When I record the first track, it works perfectly, but then when I start recording the second track it always distorts like crazy after about 20 seconds. The distortion only occurs in the 2nd track, and the first track remains fine. I haven't always had this problem, it only started happening a few weeks ago.

Someone please help, this is driving me crazy!

[kozikowski]

There's pages of reasons for the track to distort, but not after 20 seconds.

Delayed distortion almost always points to Windows Enhanced Services thinking you're trying to make a Skype or conference call. Make sure those services are off.

Windows Enhanced Sound
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic ... 79&start=0

Koz

[mkilla]

OK I looked at the other forum discussion and I searched around in Control Panel, but I couldn't even find anything like Echo Cancellation or Auto Microphone to turn off. What's more, I don't even have Skype or the software needed to make a conference call, so I don't think that can be the issue, unless there's something similar that I am not aware of. I also don't understand why this problem would just start to happen, it was fine before.

Just for clarification purposes, the distortion only happens in the second track, even if I just have silence in the first track, and it happens after a delay. It's extremely choppy and sounds really mechanical, and the noises are rapid-fire fast and last for a few seconds after every couple seconds or so.

[steve]

Zoom in close on the "distorted" second track - are there bits missing from it?

If you mute the second track, does the first track play correctly?
If you mute the first track does the second track play correctly?

[mkilla]

I zoomed in, and I don't think there are any bits missing from the track.
If I mute the second track, the first one plays fine (it also plays fine if the second is not muted).
If I mute the first track, the second one is still just as distorted as when the first track isn't muted.

I am uploading a 4-second sample of this sound so you can hear exactly what it sounds like. This started happening about 25 seconds into the recording.

[steve]

There's not bits "missing" but there are clear "discontinuities"

trackpanel000.png (9.59 KiB) Viewed 1273 times

What are you recording from?
Exactly which version are you using? (look in Help > About Audacity)
Which version of Windows?

[mkilla]

I am recording using my computer's built-in microphone (it's a laptop, not a desktop).
I have Audacity 1.2.6 and Windows XP.

[steve]

The problem looks like it's related to the sound card or the sound card drivers rather than Audacity itself so I'm scratching my head about what we can do about the problem.
Audacity 1.3.12 has a generally more robust way of interfacing with the sound card drivers, so there's a chance that upgrading to Audacity 1.3.12 may help. You can download it from here: http://audacityteam.org/download/
The other thing to check is on the web site for the manufacturer of your laptop - check to see if there updated drivers available for the make and model of your sound card - if there are, download and install them (advisable to back up any important documents first just to be safe).