Static & distortion building up over time - please help

[Oskari]

I've looked around the forum and haven't found anything on my particular problem. So, I thought I'd risk bringing it up here. Please feel free to move it to an appropriate section.

Today I started some audio recording. Very simple set up. I use Nuendo 4 with ASIO4all drivers (I think that's what they're called). For audio I simple plug in my Samson CO1U USB microphone and play acoustic guitar and sing.

The problem is that after a couple of minutes while I'm recording I start to hear a build up of static and distortion coming through my headphones (monitor) to the point where it's all I can hear. I suspect it has something to do with the ASIO thing because if I go to the 'control panel' in the Device Panel and deactivate the Samson and listen back to what I've recorded the static/distortion is gone. Then, I activate it again and - presto - a couple of minutes either in playback or record and the noise builds up again.

Admittedly, I'm a real noob when it comes to all this stuff, but I do suspect that there has to be a quick fix because I can get around it by momentarily deactivating the Samson. The static/distortion is not recorded, it is simply in the playback and the monitoring while recording.

If you need more info., you just have to ask. Thanks!

[Oskari]

No doubt someone will hold my hand soon, but I thought I'd give you a clue as to my set up.

Win 7 Pro
i5 3.2 processor
12 Gb RAM
Azrock mobo
Samson CO1U USB microphone

I'll just add that I'm getting amazing results with my naive recording. I've just managed to record a four minute song, but it has meant either doing the audio in 2 minute brackets or trying to ignore the static/distortion build up while I'm recording. It's the weirdest thing because the noise doesn't affect the final outcome - it just appears after a few minutes either while I'm recording or when I play back the song (if I have the microphone active in ASIO4ALL's control panel). Simply turning it off and turning it back on again always fixes the problem. BTW, I have updated ASIO4ALL to version 2.10.

In the meantime, I'll email my recording buddy in another state and see if he has any clues.

[Seidy]

Does the static-distortion happen when you unplug the mic?
Can you post a screenshot of your asio4all settings in advanced mode?

[Oskari]

Thanks, Seidy. I'll try playing what I've recorded without the mic plugged in and see what happens. In the meantime, have a look at these:

Asio2.JPGDevicepanel.JPGdevicesetup1.JPG

[Oskari]

Okay, unplugged the mic and started Nuendo. Of course, it didn't show up in ASIO4ALL's control panel. The result was no 'crackles' at all! I think this was to be expected. It definitely has got something to do with a conflict between the USB mic and ASIO4ALL.

In the meantime, as a friend suggested, I should install Cakewalk/Sonar LE (the software that came with the mic) and see if I can duplicate this noise problem.

[Oskari]

Still persisting with Nuendo - haven't had a chance to install SONAR.

I did discover something new about my problem, which might prove useful (when someone decides to comment). I always thought the problem was directly affected by activating the mic in ASIO4ALL, but today I discovered that that alone wasn't causing my 'little problem at all. It may still be an influencing factor, but it wasn't until I activated the mic in VST Connections (F4) that the noise problem started to appear. It's always the same little problem: initially okay, but a few minutes (2-3) into playback or record and it starts building up. A faint crackle eventually becomes all-encompassing distortion.

Do you think there's a conflict between ASIO4ALL and VST Connections? I really don't understand this technical stuff, but my hunch is that they must be misbehaving.

[Seidy]

Turn off Resample 44,1<->48khz on A4A settings. Just in case, see if it makes any difference.

Check Windows sound settings. See if the Samson is default mic.

Increase-decrease buffer size on A4A settings, check if it gets better or not. Also monitor the VST performance (press F12 on Cubase/Nuendo).

Try the newer Asio4all beta.

I understand there's a somekind of SoftPre software for the mic, can we see the screenshot of that also?

[Oskari]

I've tried unchecking the 44.1<>48 khz setting. No help.

The Samson is the default mic.

Samson don't offer the SoftPre download any more - they reckon controlling the mic via Windows is much better.

I'll try the other stuff. Thanks.