problems when recording direct to Audacity

[Norm Mast]

I've given up using Audacity to record and edit files because of a sound issue. If I record direct into Audacity , do my editing, then export ..say as a wav. file....when I go back and open that file and play it the sound is very warped...distorted sounding. I am using Windows XP here, Audacity 2.0.5... and I don't remember if I obtained Audacity via the .exe installer or zip. If I rip a song using Media player, save it and import it into Audacity, edit there and save...export it back out it plays and sound just fine. Is there something messed up in my record settings or what?

[DVDdoug]

If I record direct into Audacity , do my editing, then export ..say as a wav. file....when I go back and open that file and play it the sound is very warped...distorted sounding.

Does it sound OK before editing?

Is there something messed up in my record settings or what?

If the sound is messed-up before editing, you'll need to tell us what you are recording and what hardware you are using, etc.

When you record, Audacity (or any other recording application) is simply capturing the digital audio stream and sending it to the hard drive. The recording application won't alter the digital audio data. (Of course, you can change the audio when you edit/process later.)

There can be issues on the acoustic/analog side, or you can overload (clip) your analog-to-digital converter. There are also some Windows "enhancements" that can alter the sound, or the multitasking operating system can interrupt the digital audio data stream and cause glitches.

[Norm Mast]

No, even before I edit the sound is differant...
It doesn't matter if I capture my audio from a CD playing, or from an LP coming thru a small mixer...or radio thru the mixer. I recently tried a differant sound card, a Sound Blaster if I recall. Still the same issue.
I'll see if I can capture a sreen shot of the audion file and add it here.OK, that won't work as it's too large to add here

[kozikowski]

If I record direct into Audacity

I agree. We're going to need a lot more information on how you're doing that. There are a number of ways to mess up self recording, if that's what you're doing.

Koz

[Gale Andrews]

It doesn't matter if I capture my audio from a CD playing, or from an LP coming thru a small mixer...or radio thru the mixer. I recently tried a differant sound card, a Sound Blaster if I recall. Still the same issue.
I'll see if I can capture a sreen shot of the audion file and add it here.OK, that won't work as it's too large to add here

Doesn't Windows Sound Recorder do the same?

Have you turned off all the sound effects in your sound cards?

Give us an audio sample in WAV format (export the selection as WAV). Make it just long enough so we can hear all the varieties of problems.

Here are some sites you can upload the file to:
https://www.dropbox.com/
http://www.dropsend.com/
http://www.mailbigfile.com/
http://www.sendspace.com

Give us the URL of the file so we can download it.

When on file sharing sites, avoid clicking on advertisements that have download or other buttons. They may harm your computer.


Gale