High pitched hiss in my set.

[StrandedInADesert]

So this is similar to another thread I saw earlier, but the question didn't get answered, so I'll make a new one in the hope that my question does. First of all, I've got an American Audio VMS4 running through Virtual DJ Pro 7, which is connected to a Behringer UCA-222 as my line in, and two vinyl turntables connected to the VMS4 which I've disconnected for the moment. What I'm trying to do is record a DJ set using audacity, however as soon as I press record a high pitch hiss sound is audible through my monitor speakers, and also appears in the recording. I've tried unplugging my laptop from power, and moving my whole setup as far away from other electrical interference as possible, but the hiss still occurs as soon as I press record.

Here's a brief sample of the hiss, and some audio just to show the actual recording itself works.

hiss.ogg

(193.76 KiB) Downloaded 214 times

Any help you could offer would be awesome, as I'm starting to get fairly frustrated.

[steve]

It sounds like electrical interference.
If you connect the UCA-222 to the laptop, with nothing else connected to the UCA-222 and the laptop running on batteries, do you still get the high pitched whistle sound?

It is possible to filter out much of the annoying noise, but it would be a much better solution if we can find where the noise is coming from and stop the noise at source.

[steve]

It is possible to filter out much of the annoying noise

For example, run the following code in the Nyquist Prompt effect:

Code: Select all

(notch2
(notch2
(notch2
(notch2
(notch2
(notch2
(notch2
(notch2
(notch2 s 1000 100)
1420 50)
2000 100)
3000 100)
4000 100)
5170 20)
5250 100)
6000 100)
7000 100)

then use a little Noise Removal.

[Black Dog Bluez]

Guess: Using any program on a computer for recording is not the best idea - due to noise (especially a usb mic), you may not even hear until playback of finished recording.

Guess Answer: a seperate device/interface designed specifically for recording. Then Audacity can be used to edit.

[StrandedInADesert]

It sounds like electrical interference.
If you connect the UCA-222 to the laptop, with nothing else connected to the UCA-222 and the laptop running on batteries, do you still get the high pitched whistle sound?

I did what you said, and the sound is still there, albeit a little bit quiter.

Guess: Using any program on a computer for recording is not the best idea - due to noise (especially a usb mic), you may not even hear until playback of finished recording.

Would recording with a second laptop help, to remove the loop of data? Or if not, is there any specific recording interfaces you could suggest? (Fairly economically priced, I'm on a college budget.)

[steve]

I use a UCA 202 with an old Acer laptop and the noise levels are surprisingly good for such a cheap device.

to remove the loop of data?

What do you mean by "loop of data"?

[StrandedInADesert]

Not exactly sure what the actual term is, but Virtual DJ is feeding the music through the American Audio VMS4, which is then sending it to the UCA222, in turn feeding it back into the same laptop and monitor speakers respectively. So by "loop" I mean the audio is being both sent and received by the same laptop, possibly creating a 'feedback' sort of situation?
And I'm not worried about the performance of the laptop being the problem, as it's a top of the line Alienware m17x. Could it be the UCA222 itself creating the interference? Is there much difference between that and the 202?

[steve]

I thought that you tried it without there being a "loop" situation
"If you connect the UCA-222 to the laptop, with nothing else connected to the UCA-222...."

Is there much difference between that and the 202?

The differences that I know of:
The UCA222 is pink and costs a little more.
The UCA202 is grey and costs a little less.

[Black Dog Bluez]

Would recording with a second laptop help, to remove the loop of data? Or if not, is there any specific recording interfaces you could suggest? (Fairly economically priced, I'm on a college budget.)

I'm sure it is like everything else - the more you spend the better it will be.

My recording equipment investment so far has been $40 for a "First Act" USB mic (horrible) but better than say a cheaper voice only mic that plugs into the [computer] mic jack.

From a usb mic the next level, as far as I know would be a hand held portable (Tascam is a popular brand, and Zoom, there are several), some even have multi-track/dubbing recording capablility (they start at about $100). They're at music stores like Guitar Center and some Best Buys now. Never tried one but after some research I would say better because the computer is out of the recording process (and I think some, if not all, have line-in capability also).

Then the next level as far as I know is a plug in interface (Tascam etc. ... and music store people are usually very experienced and helpful recommending a brand). An interface may require buying an actual proper microphone which are $100+ unless everything you do is line-in, and interfaces start at about $2-300.
As far as what you currently have going I don't know -- one thing that does come to mind is make sure your computers built-in mic is not on, if it has a built-in mic.

Also, I'm not familiar with recording "line-in" but not everything can be recorded line-in of course.

[StrandedInADesert]

Black Dog Bluez, I don't think you're getting what I'm trying to accomplish. No mics are involved at all in the current process at all, and the mic I do have is fine.
I think we're getting a little off-topic in general; is there a way to get rid of the hiss? Or is there no other choice but change what equipment I'm using?