Any OS X Sierra users out there?

kayray · Post by **kayray** » September 11th, 2017, 9:54 am

I just sat down to record a chapter for the first time after upgrading to Sierra.

My voice sounds sped up, like a chipmunk.

This happens in both Audacity and Sound Studio. Playback speed is correct. If I save as mp3 and play the audio in iTunes, it's still chipmunked.

I rebooted everything.

What am I missing???

kayray · Post by **kayray** » September 11th, 2017, 10:03 am

Hmmmmmmmm this only happens when I use my Zoom H2 as a USB mic. The lousy built-in mic doesn't chipmunk me. My lousy USB headset doesn't chipmunk me.

Rats. I loved my Zoom H2 :(

DrewJ · Post by **DrewJ** » September 11th, 2017, 11:46 am

Maybe an issue with sample rate? Audacity might be messing with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJiZ0BftuOQ

This is the same sound clip run at 44.1 where its supposed to be, 48, and 88 I think.

kayray · Post by **kayray** » September 11th, 2017, 11:54 am

I'm still at 44.1 khz

The problem only occurs with the Zoom -- not any of my other mics.

I can record onto the Zoom's SD card with no up-pitching; the problem only occurs when I use the Zoom as a USB audio interface.

So peculiar! But at least I can still record to the SD card, I just can't monitor my levels.

Kangaroo692 · Post by **Kangaroo692** » September 11th, 2017, 5:03 pm

Maybe a problem with the connection from your Zoom H2 to your computer?

Post by **Availle** » September 11th, 2017, 5:11 pm

As I found out to my chagrin, the zoon h2 is a very old microphone and is not produced anymore...

Maybe the driver your computer uses when you plug in the zoom as USB is outdated, or simply there is no newer one? Maybe changing the kbps settings on your zoom will make a difference?

I always use my zoom as standalone - no interference from the laptop - once you figure out a good positioning, there's no problem with the levels anymore. Besides, that's what audacity is good for.

sjmarky · Post by **sjmarky** » September 13th, 2017, 8:22 pm

I have Sierra and SoundStudio, and don't detect your problem. However, for some reason I cannot install LAME, so I can't save as an MP3 file, so I can't replicate it exactly. But if I save as a WAV, playback is normal. Try saving as WAV or AIF and then converting to MP3 in iTunes. If that fixes it, then it's a software issue and you have the workaround.

But since your problem only seems to occur when recording with the H2, I'm guessing the H2 may be recording at the wrong sample rate, or Sierra is saving at the wrong sample rate for some reason. Then when it plays back at 44.1kz it sounds speeded up. That's my best guess. Maybe this will help you locate the issue.