Annoying Skipping/Crackling Noise On Recordings

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Ellen Hikuki

Ellen Hikuki

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I'm recording with a MobilePre USB interface, Audacity, and two Audio-Technica M4000S microphones. I've had absolutely no trouble with this setup before, but when I started recording with another computer (I've switched from a Dell Latitude D400 to a Lenovo X60s), I noticed this crackling/skipping/what-have-you that hadn't been there before. (Here's a sample recording ilustrating the problem.) I've tried switching microphones, switching microphone cables, turning down the mic sensitivity, moving my guitar further away from the mic, and disabling my computer's built-in microphone to make sure both couldn't be running at the same time. And still, no fix. I'm at my wit's end here. Any advice? Thanks.
 
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Ellen Hikuki said:
I'm recording with a MobilePre USB interface, Audacity, and two Audio-Technica M4000S microphones. I've had absolutely no trouble with this setup before, but when I started recording with another computer (I've switched from a Dell Latitude D400 to a Lenovo X60s), I noticed this crackling/skipping/what-have-you that hadn't been there before. (Here's a sample recording ilustrating the problem.) I've tried switching microphones, switching microphone cables, turning down the mic sensitivity, moving my guitar further away from the mic, and disabling my computer's built-in microphone to make sure both couldn't be running at the same time. And still, no fix. I'm at my wit's end here. Any advice? Thanks.
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If nothing has changed, and it worked with the Dell, but now plays up on the Lenova, first thoughts suggest the problem lies within the Lenova.

That means I would look at possible causes within the Lenova. Run thorough virus and malware checks. Check to see whether any CPU-hungry programs are running in background. Is the Lenova less powerful than the Dell (slower CPU, less RAM etc.)? Are you running XP, and what program are you using to record with?
 
Thanks for replying. Well, I've been running the Task Manager while recording, and CPU usage never goes beyond 60%. I've also just run a thorough virus scan and it didn't find anything that would be causing the skipping problem. My current computer is actually better than the Dell (I think the CPU power is about the same, but it's got more RAM and it's capable of running Vista, which the Dell isn't), which makes this all the more weird to me. I'm using Audacity to record and my operating system is Vista.
 
Did the Dell also run Vista, or was it XP?

It is possible that it is Vista itself.

You might need to try downloading more current drivers.

Alternatively you could always try XP, which seems to be more amenable to recording.
 
Have you tried increasing the buffer for the MobilePre USB when using the Lenovo?

-Damian
 
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