Pops during recording

[Pawn007]

Hey guys, I have a problem which has finally annoyed me enough to seek help.

When I try recording a second track with a long primary track already done after about 30 seconds I start to get random pops and distortion.

Computer:
- 1.86 Dual Core
- 2 gig ram
- Sigmatel STAC HD audio card

Software:
- Audacity
- XP service pack 3

Hardware:
- ART TubeMP Preamp
- Apex435 Condenser Mic

This typically happens when I'm trying to record a voice over for something longer than a minute. I load the original audio into Audacity. Hit the record button to do a take. And after about 30 seconds of clean recording I start to get crackles and pops. To this point I have been bypassing this problem take recording in multiple shorter takes... but this gets tedious and disrupts the flow.

Also, it should be noted that if it is the first track (ie A new file) I can record for an indefinite amount of time without problems. (The longest recording i have done is 8 minutes and there was no issues.)

I have the microphone and preamp on a different electrical circuit than the computer and the computer isn't being used.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[loansindi]

I'm going to blame your sound hardware. Honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea to invest in an inexpensive single channel audio interface, from m-audio or a similar company. This will likely fix the problem, and offer you new ways to route your sound.

I guess it could hypothetically be audacity, are you running the stable release or the beta? Either way, try the other version (or the most up to date version).

Make sure your sound card drivers are up to date.

Try the second two first, obviously, but if those don't fix it, the first thing I mentioned probably will.

[sorohanro]

1-The soundcard seems to be the on board one, is it ?
If so, that might be part of the problem. I would buy another one, get a Creative (whatever) is the cheapest mid quality card.
2-What is the volume of first track ? do the tracks together clip ?
Try to keep a quite low volume while recording.
3-Check cables, microphone. Use a pop shield when recording.
4-Get the latest drivers for the soundcard.
5-Check the routing, what you record, from where...etc.

[Pawn007]

The sound card isn't the onboard one, but it is was the cheap one when I built the machine. At the time I was more interested in game and 3d modelling so I went for the monster video card instead.

I keep everything at pretty low volumes when I record to avoid clipping.

I'll try rerouting the cabling... I just looked at my setup and I was a little lazy (I used the front microphone jack instead of the rear... I feel shame)

If that doesn't work I will probably invest in new sound hardware.

Oh... and 'pop shield' is the air screen that prevents "blowing" on the mic... or am I confused.

[loansindi]

At 6/24/09 07:48 PM, Pawn007 wrote: I'll try rerouting the cabling... I just looked at my setup and I was a little lazy (I used the front microphone jack instead of the rear... I feel shame)

I doubt it's this, just because you say it consistently, repeatably, sounds fine for thirty seconds or so before the issue begins. And also because single-tracking works fine. In my eyes that makes it a software/firmware/hardware issue, rather than a cable issue.

If that doesn't work I will probably invest in new sound hardware.

Don't forget to try updating your drivers and audacity before you spend the money. But a good external usb/firewire interface will do you good.

Oh... and 'pop shield' is the air screen that prevents "blowing" on the mic... or am I confused.

It's basically a device that sits in front of the mic to prevent plosives from blowing out your sound, yes.

[sorohanro]

At 6/24/09 07:48 PM, Pawn007 wrote: Oh... and 'pop shield' is the air screen that prevents "blowing" on the mic... or am I confused.

Yep, apparently you're not confused enough :))
LOL

[Unknown865]

I just watched a tutorial on youtube that I think will help you.

Keep in mind it is for FL, but I use FL and Audacity but the video still applies.

The video shows how to fix your EXACT problem. Hope it helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0EgnpIaf MI&feature=channel_page

[Unknown865]

Actually scratch that, that's only for one pop.
I had the same problem before and I think it's your mic.

[HNU]

the sigmatel driver's latency is not designed for recording realtime audio, that is why you are getting the pops and crackles. Use this driver with your soundcard ASIO4ALL

[Mushroomhead18nc]

if your not using an audio interface which I dont think you are.. make sure you download asio drivers.. you can set buffer lengths and stop that crackling sound..

if nothing else helps.. you can always just buy an audio interface and screw the hole onboard soundcard garbage anyway....

[Khuskan]

Your processor is a bit shit, to be honest, and audacity does not have multicore support to any great extent, which is probably causing the issue.

Normally when this sort of thing happens, the popping sound you hear when playing back audio in audacity is simply your audio buffer is not large enough (editable in preferences) for the processor to keep up - that said, if you export the track, there should be no popping whatsoever.

But otherwise, I suggest upgrading your hardware.

[amaterasu]

M-Audio 2496.

Done.

[Pawn007]

Thanks for the help guys.

Your responses and insites were amazing...

ASIO drivers for the win!

Truely, thanks for the help.