Recording - audio dropout/washy problem

[jayfree]

This is the first time I've tried recording something on this PC. It's a competent machine; intel i5, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, windows 7 64-bit, fairly updated motherboard, and I'm not running any background programs that I can help. I'm just trying to record one guitar track, and I started using this mic which just goes from XLR to my 1/8" mic input with Sonar 8 (also tried Audacity with same results), and then just a headset mic to see if there was a difference but the same thing happened.

Anything I record starts out ok but then drops out and gets all "washy" and weird. Pics and links to example:

Example





I ran this "wave profiler" thing that optimizes the audio settings for my system configuration, but I have to be missing something. Can anyone help me out here as to why my sound is getting all funky? Surely someone else will have heard this sound before.

Thanks!

 

[mjbphotos]

You need an audio interface. read the sticky threads at the top of this forum about computer recording.

 

[jayfree]

I've recorded with this setup before on an older PC though and it was fine. I'm only using the one mic input.

 

[mjbphotos]

The soundcards (and a-to-d converters) in computers have cheap components and you are adapting a balanced mic output (XLR) to 1/8" unbalanced, whether the mic is sold with adapters or not, add this all up - recipe for bad sound.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Yeah, it varies from PC's what crappy soundcard is in there. No doubt that the 1/8" jack, is directed to complete crap. Some a bit less crappy than others, but not worth your time trying IMO, as well as my experience. Guess that would be IME.

Even $200 SoundBlaster gaming cards are not meant for quality input. A complete waste of money if you are looking to record.

Anyway, you can get an external soundcard for under $100. Trust me (or everyone else who had ever asked/answered the same question), it makes a HUGE difference.

 

[jayfree]

I figured it out, it was the built-in noise cancellation software interfering/being wonky. Knew I had recognized that sound from somewhere (Skype calls).

But thanks for telling me to buy stuff and that my soundcard sucks and other stuff unrelated to the sound issue! I realize my setup is not ideal for multitrack HD recording; never said I needed it for this purpose.

Also the 10 post requirement for linking on this site is rather obnoxious. Have there really been that many spambots?

 

[JimmyS1969]

Glad you figured it out yourself.

Your internal soundcard 'is' complete crap. So is mine. It is not able to make quality 'recordings' (multitrack or not), but thank you for stating that those of us with many years of experience have no idea what we are talking about, and correcting us for recommending options that don't absolutely relate to sound issues. Sorry, our bad. By the way, you never made clear what the hell your purpose was, I guess that was our fault as well...

Yes, I delete at least 15 spambots per week. Is there anything else you would like to say that we are doing wrong here, or are you done being MR. know it all?

 

[jayfree]

but thank you for stating that those of us with many years of experience have no idea what we are talking about

I never said that. I'm just saying y'all weren't very helpful and took the route of "your crap's broken and sucks, get a better one" instead of trying to actually help troubleshoot the issue. Relevance =/= competence; don't take it so personally. I'm sure y'all make fine projects. I just thought maybe in your "many years of experience" y'all might have come across and recognized a sound like that.

By the way, you never made clear what the hell your purpose was, I guess that was our fault as well...

I didn't see anyone asking any further questions to try and determine that before immediately telling me to buy stuff or redirect me, so that would lead me to believe that it's irrelevant, would it not? I was recording a couple guitar parts for a video for fun (nothing pro/commercial obviously), and they came out fine after messing with it.

Glad you got to take out some steam and put me "off the scale" or whatever that is instead though.