Help - lag when playing/recording

[angelfire]

Hi,

I've read the common issues associated with recording 'echo' but it didn't answer my problem -

I need to hear myself playing while recording - as there is an echo while playing, about a second, the sound is obviously out of sync while I'm playing. It's not about unchecking the playthrough box in preferences as I want to hear myself. I tried plugging in my mixer/guitar into the front of my pc and it did play while recording, however, audacity couldn't pick it up and there was bad reception.

How can I fix this? Any ideas?

Thanks,

Dan

[justinburnett]

Lag is an unavoidable part of computer-based multitrack recording. The time it takes to get the signal in and back out to your ears is called latency. Of course a nice fast machine will be a big help, but it can be a nuisance nonetheless. My method for getting around the problem is to monitor live from the input device. Most audio inputs will support some form of this, which can be as simple as plugging your headphones into your input and not the computer. You'll also need to go into Edit ----> Preferences ----> Audio I/O and set the options there to match what you're doing. If all else fails, you may have to resort to the old trick of putting the headphones on one ear, and listening to yourself through the other.

Take care
-Justin-

[phantasm777]

i've had that problem too, i had to go to my sound program in control panel and make sure no surround or any effects were on, and after i took all those off, it was much better, if it isnt completely synced it will be better than before.