Problems recording a second track (multi-tracking)

[Johnny Park]

Hello,

I have a similar multi-tracking problem. When I record two or more tracks, I get a fast static-click-pop sound throughout the entire second track. The static gets worse with each subsequent track.

I created a sample of three bass guitar tracks. As time passes, an additional track comes in for comparison:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn0c95Y0XcA

Here's what I'm working with:

Audacity Beta 1.3.13
2.8 GHz Intel Core i5 processor
6 GB RAM
64-bit Operating System
Windows 7 (with SP 1 factory installed)

Thanks,

Johnny

[n1ggler]

You better get Steve on it! But you've got 6G RAM so it can't be a memory problem.

Your clip sounded like you were plugged in directly so it might be overexposure. But I'm no expert.

[steve]

Topic split to a new thread.

You'll need to give more information about your recording set-up.
What sort of microphone?
What sort of sound card?
What sample rate are you recording at?
What steps have you taken so far to try to resolve the problem?
Any other information that may be relevant?

[Johnny Park]

I do connect direct. What is over exposure? I didn't have this clicking problem when I recorded direct with Win XP and Audacity 1.2.6.

Here are my responses to the other questions:

You'll need to give more information about your recording set-up.

What sort of microphone? No microphone, I run a line from my amp’s headphone output to my computer’s microphone input (worked for years with Win XP and Audacity 1.2.6).

What sort of sound card? The factory installed Realtek HD Audio. Audacity tells me it’s Windows Direct Sound.

What sample rate are you recording at? 44100 Hz, 32-bit float, Fast Sinc Interpolation, Dither: None, High-quality Sinc Interpolation, Dither: Shaped (I don’t know anything about sample rates and formats)

What steps have you taken so far to try to resolve the problem? I’m just a musician with basic computer literacy. I have been working around the problem by recording one track at a time and copy/pasting them all together in order to avoid the static.

Any other information that may be relevant? I haven’t changed my recording techniques, which worked with my old computer (XP & Audacity 1.2.6). Now I have a computer with Win 7 and Audacity Beta and the static problem.

[steve]

What is over exposure?

I think that n1ggler means that you may be overloading the input of your sound card.
The recording does indeed appear to be at rather a high level, but at this stage I don't think that is the problem. However it would be useful to eliminate that possibility.
Could you try making a recording, but lower the level of the input to the sound card (turn down the amp’s headphone output) so that the maximum peak level of the recorded track is less than half the track height (less than - 6 dB).

Does the problem still occur?

[Johnny Park]

I tried adjusting the headphone to the level you suggested, and even lower. Still the same static.

[steve]

Could you export a short sample as a WAV file, then upload it somewhere (such as sendspace.com) and post a link.
I'd like to take a look at the file in close-up detail, but compressed audio formats can hide some of the detail.

[Gale Andrews]

I've got questions. Apologies if I am not familiar with guitar recording,

I do connect direct. No microphone, I run a line from my amp’s headphone output to my computer’s microphone input (worked for years with Win XP and Audacity 1.2.6).

Even if not the cause, It's still not recommended to record from a headphone output to a mic port unless the mic port can be set to accept line level (stronger) input.

What exactly do you mean by recording more than one track? How many sound sources are plugged into the amp and what are those sources? Do you mean you are recording one mono Audacity track and playing more than one Audacity track?

Have you right-clicked the speaker icon in the system tray > Recording Devices, right-clicked over the mic port > Properties, clicked "Advanced" and checked both "Exclusive Mode" boxes? This is strongly recommended if you choose the "Windows Direct Sound" Host in Audacity's Device Toolbar. See:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Windo ... mple_rates



Gale

[Johnny Park]

Here's a wave file of the three bass guitar tracks:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/k7773j

[Johnny Park]

I've got questions. Apologies if I am not familiar with guitar recording,

I do connect direct. No microphone, I run a line from my amp’s headphone output to my computer’s microphone input (worked for years with Win XP and Audacity 1.2.6).

Even if not the cause, It's still not recommended to record from a headphone output to a mic port unless the mic port can be set to accept line level (stronger) input.

I connected to my computer's line in instead of the headphone jack. Same problem. You're right though, I shouldn't be using the mic in with the headphones.

What exactly do you mean by recording more than one track? How many sound sources are plugged into the amp and what are those sources? Do you mean you are recording one mono Audacity track and playing more than one Audacity track?

I hit record, play guitar, and hit stop. Then I plug in my bass, hit record, play and hit stop. Then drums etc... all in one project. I usually mute all the previous tracks except for the first track so I can have a reference.

Have you right-clicked the speaker icon in the system tray > Recording Devices, right-clicked over the mic port > Properties, clicked "Advanced" and checked both "Exclusive Mode" boxes? This is strongly recommended if you choose the "Windows Direct Sound" Host in Audacity's Device Toolbar. See:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Windo ... mple_rates

All the advanced settings had both exclusive mode boxes checked. Windows Direct Sound is the Host in Audacity.


Gale