Audacity acting weird, my mixes become useless

[TrondC]

allright, I'm in the process of re-recording my old songs in stereo, as all I've used until now is an old tape-recorder, and the songs were monophonically transfered to PC. I really like my new stereo mixes, but when I try to record something is not right.

first of all, I'll explain my set-up, in case that has anything to do with this trouble:

MC808/ESX/ER/EA/Microkorg/FP-2/Kaossilator all go stereo in to my Soundcraft 10 Mixer, and when I press play on my sequencers, everything sound nice and smooth through my headset (it has a dedicated headset out). Then, there is a stereo cable going from Monitor-outs to my monitors (CD-player), which also works fine, and then stereo MIX-out to my Edirol UA-1EX USB Audio Interface, and the sound is nice and clean also when I plug my headset into the Audio interface. But, when I record in Audacity, there's a very annoying metallic sound that very clearly destroys the mix, and after looking through everything I can't figure out what's wrong. It's not the Soundcraft, as t sounds nice with headset and through my speakers, and the same goes for the Edirol.
So, I've concluded this has to be soemthing to do with Audacity. Its the first time I ever use a computer/software to record music, so there may be something elementary stuff I've missed. Any help on the subject would make me a very happy man

also, there's a big issue when I attempt to do some multi-tracking, as every track exept the first one has a noticable lag in timing, meaning I want to do my Microkorg-part after I've recorded the sequencers, but when I record, the sound is recorded a few hundred milliseconds after I press down a key on the MK. Of cource, this too renders my mixes usless, as it's hopeless to play when the sound comes out 2-400 ms too late.. No idea what's going on here either..

so..once again I reach out to the VSE community: HELP!!

[TrondC]

noone? sure someone here must be using Audacity...

[modulator_esp]

is the output from Audacity going into your mixer, so you are getting a feedback loop? That could cause a weird sound

[Dunecat]

also, there's a big issue when I attempt to do some multi-tracking, as every track exept the first one has a noticable lag in timing, meaning I want to do my Microkorg-part after I've recorded the sequencers, but when I record, the sound is recorded a few hundred milliseconds after I press down a key on the MK. Of cource, this too renders my mixes usless, as it's hopeless to play when the sound comes out 2-400 ms too late.. No idea what's going on here either..

Make sure you use ASIO drivers and use minimum latency values, usually WDM drivers make noticeable 400ms lags.

Don't know about Audacity, but most mtracks like nuendo have the ability to compensate recording latency.

Make some temp tracks and make sure that the latency value is constant, then move tracks manually or (if Audacity has time offset parameter in the properties section of an audio track), set this value for each track

UPD: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... _Interface

[plus321]

I would also suggest that you check your signal path for a feedback loop.

I used to use Audacity for recording when I would do a stereo mix down, but it was hard to do overdubs. I switched to Tracktion and it works very well. If you have the capability, I would suggest using another program. Audacity is great because it is free (both kinds) and has some good features, but it isn't really meant for recording with overdubs and etc (It does it, just poorly). I like Tracktion because it is mostly just a multi-track program without extra things I don't need like sequencers and etc.

[TrondC]

no feedback loops, there's no cable going out from my computer.
I figured it was mainly the bassdrum causing the metallic noise, as there was no noise on certain songs (with less hard-hitting bassdrums).

as for drivers, I should mention I know less about computers than most 80-years olds. I have no idea what my driver is, what an ASIO driver is, or what WDM drivers are :p

will look into Tracktion when I come home from school today, but I was really hoping that I could do with something that's either free or VERY cheap, as I really can't afford anything until I get a summer job :p

thanx for the replies, will post later if any of your tips wokrs

[Dunecat]

I figured it was mainly the bassdrum causing the metallic noise, as there was no noise on certain songs (with less hard-hitting bassdrums).

Maybe it's just an ADC clipping, did you try recording with lower volume levels? With higher bit depth and sample rate?

[Stab Frenzy]

I figured it was mainly the bassdrum causing the metallic noise, as there was no noise on certain songs (with less hard-hitting bassdrums).

Maybe it's just an ADC clipping, did you try recording with lower volume levels? With higher bit depth and sample rate?

That's what I was about to suggest, except for the bit about the bit depth and sample rate, that won't make any difference.

[TrondC]

I figured it was mainly the bassdrum causing the metallic noise, as there was no noise on certain songs (with less hard-hitting bassdrums).

Maybe it's just an ADC clipping, did you try recording with lower volume levels? With higher bit depth and sample rate?

That's what I was about to suggest, except for the bit about the bit depth and sample rate, that won't make any difference.

hm, I really know nothing here.. what's ADC? I tried recording with lower volumes, but then the mix was so low in volume that I'd have to boost it to the point of distortion to make it as loud as my other recordings (which are quite low still compared to most stuff I've heard on MySpace).

no tips regarding multitracking? I would very much try to avoid having to buy some software like Live 6 or Cubase, but maybe that's the only way to get good multitracked recordings?

[Stab Frenzy]

ADC = Analogue to Digital Convertor.

Changing software won't solve the problem, it sounds like it's coming from your interface rather than the software. Can you post any examples of what teh problem sounds like? It'll make it easier to figure out what it is.

[Dunecat]

That's what I was about to suggest, except for the bit about the bit depth and sample rate, that won't make any difference.

Actually it can help, 'cause ADC's have headroom ~6dB above zero, so you can use software limiter plugin on the input bus to avoid clipping, and with higher s/r, bit depth the results will be more pleasant. But I'd recommend to rent a hardware limiter

[modulator_esp]

reaper is free (for evaluation purposes) and does multi-track

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

[TrondC]

ADC = Analogue to Digital Convertor.

Changing software won't solve the problem, it sounds like it's coming from your interface rather than the software. Can you post any examples of what teh problem sounds like? It'll make it easier to figure out what it is.

allright, I made 2 short recordings to show the clipping.
In track 1 you can clearly hear some noise attached to the bassdrum (whis is not there when I hear through monitors, or via headset direcltly off the mixer)

this is the site where I put sound demos etc:
http://www11.nrk.no/urort/Artist/Kaosta ... fault.aspx

the last 2 tracks. click "Lytt" ("listen to track")

both clips recorded at same levels, but you (atleast I can) hear some very noticable metallic noise over the first track..

changing recording levels, master volume on the ESX as well as master volume on the mixer, input volume on the Edirol made no difference

[modulator_esp]

you would not hear the clipping in the mixer/monitors as these are before the AD convertor, you should monitor the input levels in Audacity and reduce the input volume 'til the loudest parts are safely below 0db. Your soundcard should have a (software) control panel that lets you set its input levels.

[Dunecat]

http://www11.nrk.no/urort/Artist/Kaosta ... fault.aspx

Yes, the BD really stands out of the mix. If you want to preserve that timbre - apply some compression/limiting to the drum/overall mix. Or you may just slightly cut it with HP/lower the volume of BD track