Poor quality voice recording

[libman]

Hi folks,

Newbie here and I'm perplexed. I need to do some voice recording. I have a "quality" computer system I built though it does have on board sound.

Here's the kicker. I built two systems. One for myself and one for my girlfriend.

When I record voice on her system-I have a good quality professional mike-using sound forge I get great voice recordings. But when I record voice on my system I get poor quality voice recordings with snap and hiss etc.

Now obviously I'm getting some type of interference or feedback in my system that is not occuring in her system.

Could someone suggest a way to troubleshooy my issue? I'm getting a bit perturbed.

[SPINSTERWUN]

Welcome to this BBS, libman.

We will need you to give us a list of components of the two systems.

[gec]

Originally posted by libman


When I record voice on her system-I have a good quality professional mike-using sound forge I get great voice recordings. But when I record voice on my system I get poor quality voice recordings with snap and hiss etc.

1. Try using her mic on your system and vice versa. Rule out the mic

2. Are you using sound forge as the software on both systems?

3. switch lines/cables..... If the cables on your system are not good this can happen

4. Please what is different about the 2 systems?

[Barometer]

Welcome libman, yes give us details, as many as possible, including sound cards, OS, RAM, etc.

[disdain]

Have you tried recording in several different programs?

I had a similar issue with my sound board when I upgraded my driver, had to reinstall the older one.

Check if there is an newer/older driver which works better.

[libman]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for your kind reply.

Both have an Asus motherboard with Atholon 1800 XP. 512 megs ram, and both are using sound forge. Sound is built in on both motherboards-c media drivers. Both have Win 2000 Professional.

We both have an hp scanner 5470c(usb). I have Altec Lansig self powered speakers. Her speakers are different. My speakers do pick up a great deal of static.

I have a large 60 gig hard drive(7200 rpm) and a raided pair of 20 gigs(7200 rpm). A 64 meg Hurcules graphic card., a cd rom and also a liteon cd burner, a network card, and a wacom tablet for drawing. I have a good quality professional mike from radio shack.

As I said, audio records perfectly on her system. Beautifilly! My vocal recordings are pathetic! Very odd. I get hiss and noise and a high frequency background sound overlaying the audio.

I used the same mic on both systems.

Go to http://portcityportlandmaine.com/sound/ to hear the sound I'm getting. It may take a bit to download.

Could internal fans cause a problem?

Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for your time and patience.

Greg

[Seanmorse79]

...it sounds like interference of some kind. Are both machines in the same house?

...couple of things to try...

1) Click record, then shut your monitor off and speak. When you're done, turn the monitor back on and click stop and see if there's a difference.

2) Shut off anything else in the house that could possibly create interference. Flourescent lights, TV's, etc.. Different sound cards can react differently to interference - especially basic consumer cards.

3) Make sure your recording level is set high via your Windows mixer (maybe at about 4/5).

Also, "Radio Shack" and "quality" are usually a contradiction in terms, but if you're happy with the recordings with one computer, you should be able to get the same results with both.

[libman]

I think I agree with the interference concept. I'm starting to think there is some type of interference. The computers are not in the same house but I plan to bring my computer to my girlfriends this weekend and check and see if I have the same problem there. If I do what might you suggest?

Also I agree radio Shack does not sell quality components but relative to what I had this new mike is great and it does work very well on my girfriends machine. The voice records perfectly at her place.

Thanks,
Greg

[Seanmorse79]

It would give you the benefit of "process of elimination". If you're still having the same problems, you know it has something to do with your sound card or computer. If not, you know it's interference created from something in the house.

If it is something in your house (and you've tried the other suggestions), I'm really not sure because I've never really had to deal with that problem specifically. Let us know, and hopefully someone with a bit more knowlege in the area can help. You can also do some searches - I know I've seen similar posts.

Best O' Luck

[Bass Master "K"]

Most likely is a soundcard issue on your unit, but:

You mentioned that your speakers seem more susceptable to static however, so you may want to check your speaker cables and the speaker jack(s). Also, burn a copy of one of your audio files and import it into your girlfriends computer and have a listen, that will tell you if it is a speaker/output problem, or if it is being recorded with all the crackles and noise.

Lastly, be aware that accellerated graphics cards can frequently cause pops or crackles when the screen is updating itself. It sounds like your problem is more severe than this, but if you notice the noise when the screen is updating, go to your device manager and turn way down, or off, your acceleration on your graphics card.

Good luck.

[libman]

Thanks all,

I see I have some work to do. Hopefully I can find the time in my schedule this weekend. With all the help I haae received I think to elliminate a number of variables if not solve the problem.

Again I wanted to note I'm using the built in sound on my Asus motherboard.

Thanks,
Greg

[Neil Ogilvie]

Originally posted by libman
I have a good quality professional mike from radio shack.

Is there such a thing?
And dont use your onboard sound-get a decent soundcard if you want to do anything a little more serious.

[regebro]

That is some kind of HF intereference, probably from the computer itself, it sounds pretty "digital". It is not uncommon on motherboard soundcircuits. You can either go to the place where you boughtit and try to get another one, or buy a new sound card.

[libman]

Regebro, I'm quite sure it is interference. I'm going to the company that I got the motherboard from. I quite sure there is a problem with the motherboard sound.

I'm wondering: if I put in a soundcard would I still get the same problem?

All I need to be able to do is get a clear voice recording. Maybe that's too much to ask. But I don't think so.

Thanks so much,
Greg

[sixforty]

built in sound cards are built to play the windows start up sound and thats about it. i'd definately get a new one, anything is probably better than whats in there.

[Seanmorse79]

you should be able to disable your onboard soundcard (via CMOS) and install another sound card without too much hassle.

[libman]

Hey Folks,

Thanks for all the help. The motherboard was the problem. It was still under warrenty. I got a new and better motherboard. Sound is "perfect."

Thanks to all,
Greg