Is it possible to simultaneously record and playback?

[Lunik]

Hi, I have a small question about the capabilities of Audacity.

Basically, I was wondering whether or not it was possible to have audacity playback a recorded track while at the same time recording a new one. I'm curious because I'm having trouble getting multiple tracks to be syncronized with each other when recording them in different sittings.

Thanks!

[kozikowski]

Yes, no problem in Audacity 1.3, but it may not be possible to perfectly make the computer do it.

Which delay have you got? The one where you sing in perfect time but it plays out of time is easy. That one's Recording Latency, and it's a setting in Audacity 1.3.

If you expect to hear yourself in your headphones in perfect time with your lips, that one is very serious.

Tell us exactly what you're doing and I'll see if there is a document that applies. I've written several pieces reflecting various ways to do it. They're in final editing.

It's called Multitrack/Overdubbing. Playing one song and adding parts to it over and over again.

I'm shooting for "The Andrews Brothers." Three part harmony.

Koz

[Lunik]

Well, just in general, how would you do it? When I press the play button the record button is greyed out, and vice versa. And I can't hit the "play" and "record" button at the same time :/

Thanks for the response by the way, I really appreciate it.

[Lunik]

Ok nevermind, I feel like an idiot haha. Consider this solved - I didnt realize that recording made the other tracks playback again. I think I was using 1.2 before D:

[kozikowski]

Yes, but you need to have Audacity Preferences > Recording > Overdub... selected to get that.

Koz

[polkat]

Also, as already mentioned, the tracks may record slightly out of sync. If they are out of sync on playback, that is what's called latency. There is a description of a good test/setup for latency in the Help files.

[steve]

If they are out of sync on playback, that is what's called latency. There is a description of a good test/setup for latency in the Help files.

See here: http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Latency_Test