The all-new "HELP! I have an Audacity problem" thread

alanmapstone · Post by **alanmapstone** » August 22nd, 2012, 12:31 pm

Phil

I don't think I explained the problem very well. I'm not very good on the tech stuff, but I don't think this is what's usually meant by 'clipping'.

With this problem, it sounds as though the middle part of the word has been removed and the beginning and end parts closed up, leaving a shorter but just comprehensible word. The following file:

http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/ck/betrothed_62_manzoni.mp3

has examples at 09:47.9, 10:07.4, 18:26.5 and 22:13.7

thanks
alan

gypsygirl · Post by **gypsygirl** » August 22nd, 2012, 1:27 pm

I have this problem. As far as I've been able to figure out, it's a problem with one of the software drivers on the computer that causes a sort of hiccup, during which audacity misses anything I was saying. It also affects playback, e.g. if I'm playing music, I get a sort of grinding noise during the hiccups.

On my computer, I find I can make it happen less often (meaning, I suppose, that there's more than one driver affected), if I disable my internet (both wifi and hardwired). I do this by opening the Device Manager, which is in the Control Panel, I think... I do this so often that I made myself a shortcut to it on my desktop, so I can't remember exactly how to get there, but you should be able to search for Device Manager. I click on the little arrow next to Network adapters (if it's not already open), and then right-click on the two internet drivers and select disable (very carefully, because disable is right next to uninstall!). When I've finished recording, I do the same again, only Disable is now Enable.

Post by **philchenevert** » August 22nd, 2012, 2:02 pm

Alan, I see, or rather, hear what you mean. You described it very well as a truncating of a word for no apparent reason. That is indeed irritating but I have no helpful guidance at all,sorry. I haven't experienced this myself.

If it did happen to me, I would just treat it as a normal mistake, re record the phrase and stick it in. It doesn't solve your problem of course...... sorry. http://upload.librivox.org/share/uploads/phi/projectmastodon_1_simak.mp3

Post by **philchenevert** » September 5th, 2012, 8:51 pm

I have a new reader who is producing tracks that are 'clipped'; they look like a lawn mower ran over them at the .5 level. Very neat but strange looking. He says that Audacity just records that way. Does anyone know of a preference that will do this ?

Is it the envelop tool perhaps? ??

southpointingchariot · September 8th, 2012, 11:20 am

I am using a Blue Yeti USB with Audacity on Ubuntu. The mic records normally in stereo mode, but produces this slow effect in mono. Any thoughts?

http://soundcloud.com/southpointingchariot/111-1

YouTube · Post by **Darvinia** » September 8th, 2012, 12:27 pm

I use a Blue Yeti with Audacity and Ubuntu. I've never seen this so I'm sorry I'm no help but I just want you to know that the combination does work! I hope you figure it out cos it's an awesome mic.

southpointingchariot · September 8th, 2012, 1:06 pm

Darvinia wrote:I use a Blue Yeti with Audacity and Ubuntu. I've never seen this so I'm sorry I'm no help but I just want you to know that the combination does work! I hope you figure it out cos it's an awesome mic.

Thanks, for now I'm just recording in Stereo and converting to mono.

Post by **TriciaG** » September 8th, 2012, 2:54 pm

Is it somehow changing the sample/project rate on you?

southpointingchariot · September 8th, 2012, 3:46 pm

TriciaG wrote:Is it somehow changing the sample/project rate on you?

A good question - but one I'm not exactly sure how to answer.

Post by **philchenevert** » September 8th, 2012, 3:53 pm

southpointingchariot wrote:
TriciaG wrote:Is it somehow changing the sample/project rate on you?
A good question - but one I'm not exactly sure how to answer.

Have you set your tech specs using the wiki or my video? Setting Your TEch Specs in Audacity. Maybe checking each one of them might help. Of course Ubuntu might be different, but it can't hurt to check.

Post by **TriciaG** » September 9th, 2012, 11:17 am

The Project Rate is in the lower left corner of the Audacity window. Make sure that stays at 44,100.

Also, I suppose you could check in Preferences / Quality and make sure it's 44,100 in there as well.

I'm not sure how it could be changing when you make it default to Mono, though - that sounds really strange to me. But it's the only setting I know of that messes up the speed of the recording like that.

Post by **TriciaG** » September 9th, 2012, 11:31 am

I have a new reader who is producing tracks that are 'clipped'; they look like a lawn mower ran over them at the .5 level. Very neat but strange looking. He says that Audacity just records that way. Does anyone know of a preference that will do this ?

For the record, no. I've seen it elsewhere, but I don't know what does it. Perhaps he has a condenser microphone that automatically adjusts the volume as it records?

Or maybe he has the gain on the left side set elsewhere besides zero?

Here's a couple threads I found elsewhere talking about similar (although not exactly the same) issues:
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4171
http://audacity.238276.n2.nabble.com/Static-Overload-problem-td245559.html
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=66270

Post by **ToddHW** » September 15th, 2012, 8:24 am

TriciaG wrote:
I have a new reader who is producing tracks that are 'clipped'; they look like a lawn mower ran over them at the .5 level. Very neat but strange looking. He says that Audacity just records that way. Does anyone know of a preference that will do this ?
For the record, no. I've seen it elsewhere, but I don't know what does it. Perhaps he has a condenser microphone that automatically adjusts the volume as it records?

Or maybe he has the gain on the left side set elsewhere besides zero?

Here's a couple threads I found elsewhere talking about similar (although not exactly the same) issues:
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=4171
http://audacity.238276.n2.nabble.com/Static-Overload-problem-td245559.html
http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=66270

My Sony handheld has automatic loudness control that did that same cutoff of louder noises - your description of the track looking like a lawnmower ran over them is exactly right. I was able to find a different recording mode on my unit that does not do that automatic control, at the expense of always needing normalization and much amplification when I import the files.

But I have never recorded with Audacity so I don't know how it would make the same thing happen.

Thanks, Todd

Rainbow · Post by **Rainbow** » October 13th, 2012, 4:32 pm

I recently got a new computer and was hoping to record some more readings. However, my Audacity is not agreeing with me. My files are recording with a huge buzzing in the background. I tried to lower the input volume, but even with it at about volume 2 there's still quite a buzz. Once I add voice to the file I'm getting a lot of clipping as well - and I mean a lot.

I don't really know what to do next. I've tried just using the noise removal tool to eliminate the buzz, which works to some degree, but as I mentioned - clipping.

Thanks for any ideas you have!

RuthieG · Post by **RuthieG** » October 13th, 2012, 4:51 pm

Could you give us some more information about the computer, operating system and mic? And upload a test recording so that we can see/hear the problem.

Ruth