Audio Popping

  • Thread starter Thread starter guitardude
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guitardude

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Hello. So I have been searching for a firewire interface for a few weeks now, and I ended up getting the Focusrite Saffire. I really like the product....i think it sounds really nice so far. Im having some issues as of right now I'm trying to solve.

1. when I play back what i recorded it pops here and there. I'm pretty new to all the adjustments. I tried the buffer and latency..nothing seemed to really solve it.

2. I get super distorted sound when i switch to 96khz sampling rate, and played back.

I have pretty low memory right now its 480 mb. Could this be the major issue??

Any help would be appreciated!
 
The interface pops are most likely clocking, 480mb of ram is way to low, to ensure your computer has room for your software to grow I would get at least another gig. The distorted sound could be coming from the same clocking issues you are having in problem #1. Just check all you clock sources and connections and see if that solves anything.
 
What do i do for clocking issues..im not to sure what this is exactly.
 
clocks are what synchs your interface to your computer so there wont be latency issues. I dont think its your clock though because your internal clock in the interface should be good enough. Have you made sure your ASIO in whatever sequencer you're using is set to the right one? Also yes definetely upgrade your RAM. But other than as for pops i dont know what to tell you. I get occasional pops also here and there on playback. but doesnt bother me because its only occasional and doesnt happen when i bounce to disk.

As for distortion there are so many different reasons for why it could happen. So my advice is you should just check the simple stuff, like checking the levels on your i/o and make sure your not clipping.

i hope this helps.
 
I agree 480 memory is too low for 96k. I'd forget about 96 k for now. You wont notice that much improvement other than acoustic intstruments. Go 44.1 .With that 480 should work. It sounds like buffer settings to me not clock.
 
Agreed. Buffer overload often leads to pops.

96Khz uses very much of your processing power compared to 44.1, and if you dont have intentions to release a dvd of your music, I would say that its space wasted. Especially if you are only recording demo material.

Personally I use 96Khz for transfers from analog, and records digital audio in 44.1. The sound might be more "crisp" at 96, but frankly I suspect that this COULD be some high-end-boosting my soundcard does to trick me to believe that it sounds better on 96. I havent measured the frequency response of the card, since i have no external analyzer.

I can hear a clear difference between 44 and 48 tho, especially on cymbals and some classical guitar.

But all of theese differences could be my ears fooling me as well. Anybody else who has thoughts on this?

(Sorry if Im hijacking this thread, but its a interesting topic... If its well covered in another thread, please let me know :))
 
Rodrev, 44.1 to 48 I cant hear a diference...but might be me. I tend to record all in 44.1 if only so I dont have to bit depth convert from 48. I try to convert only "halfs" ie. 88 to 44. I think there is something funky about going from 48 to 44 'course it may be my converters not having Apogee or Prisimsound yet.
 
Hi jp! Thanks for replying!

I believe that I can hear some difference in the highs, but as I said it can be the ears fooling me.

Ive also read somewhere that a young person more easily can hear the difference, but that no one who has spent some hours in front of a drumkit and a active drummer should not be able to hear a difference. I have no sources on this tho'.

as for 96, I use it just to be on the safe side, and since I rerecord over the tape after digitizing sometimes I wish to have as much info as possible for when I make the mixdown to a 2track reel to reel.

Seems like I have to go and get myself some kind of outboard spectral analyzer.

As for converters, I do not trust mine. I have the Delta 1010lt, and the reason I bought it was that people praised the converters as transparent. But after some experience with analog, I must say that Im starting to get more sceptical. The preamps is very good tho'. You mention some names here.. Is Apogee and Prisimsound a industry standard? Im quite new at exploring digital tech in depth, but has a lot of experience using "pro-sumer" gear.

Cheers!
 
Haha, for a second I thought you said "Audio Pooping"
 
Haha "Audio Pooping"

Thanks to all that responded! I did try the buffering and i did set it to the Focusrite Saffire ASIO. Now im having a total different issue with this interface i might be returning it!

I thought it was better to record at 96...44.1 isnt so bad though. Bout the levels they were fine nothing redlining...Another thing is i really have to TURN this thing UP for it to get a good pickup. Is that usual for interfaces without a mic pre (seperate)?

frustration..
 
Well im having issues to even get the Saffire to respond and be noticed on the computer...it was working before...now its not.

So this is not even the problem anym0re...ugh
 
guitardude said:
Well im having issues to even get the Saffire to respond and be noticed on the computer...it was working before...now its not.
Click to expand...

Bad cable? I had this issue with a friends RME Fireface, and a new Firewire Cable solved it all. :)
 
guitardude said:
!

I thought it was better to record at 96...44.1 isnt so bad though. Bout the levels they were fine nothing redlining...Another thing is i really have to TURN this thing UP for it to get a good pickup. Is that usual for interfaces without a mic pre (seperate)?

frustration..
Click to expand...
The problem with it not being loud enough is probably from recording too hot. Try leaving yourself an average of 18db headroom when tracking.
 
Disable your network card. Nic cards are notorious for causing noise.
 
so did you ever solve the popping problem? cause i'm having the same problem with mine im getting alot of pops. recording 44.1 - 24 Bit with 1 GB of ram... seems like i should be set. could this me a processor problem too?
 
actually i just fixed mine .. opened the software in my control panel and realized that my sample rate was at 48 while i was recording at 44.1 im assuming that will clear things up ... maybe a solution for yours too?
 
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