Laptop Issue

[JustMeThanks]

So my problem might have to do with my soundcard but I'm not sure so I'll explain the situation.

When I recorded on my old laptop with a cheap computer mic and Audacity, I never had any problems. That laptop crapped out and I recently got a brand new one but when I record now, I hear pops every few seconds. This laptop is extremely advanced when compared to the old one but I'm guessing its the soundcard and if it is, what are my options? Definitely don't have a lot of cash being a college student and all so options based on a low budget would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Rokket]

Bypass your built-in soundcard and go with an audio interface.

 

[JustMeThanks]

So then it really is the soundcard? Wow, better start saving up then. Thanks.

 

[JustMeThanks]

So, another problem. My laptop has no cardbus slots. Any other options, guys?

 

[Rokket]

USB 2.0.....?

You don't need a card slot if you have a usb port.

 

[JustMeThanks]

Can the M-Audio Fast Track USB interface fix the clips and pops situation in any way?

 

[Rokket]

Can the M-Audio Fast Track USB interface fix the clips and pops situation in any way?

Not really. If I understand what you are asking, popping and such is a RAM issue. Once you get really track heavy, and start adding a bunch of effects, you are using a lot of memory to make it work. You should have at least a GB of RAM, maybe even 2.

 

[JustMeThanks]

This is a brand new laptop and I've got two gigs of ram. By pops, I just mean clicks. Didn't mean to confuse anyone. But either way, could that or any other interface like those fifty dollar guitar ones help? All I need is the ability to plug in a computer mic and record without the clicks.

 

[danny.guitar]

Pops/clicks is either a RAM issue, CPU issue, drivers issue (usually the cause), or possibly a slow hard drive issue.

Even a 5200 RPM drive on a decent computer shouldn't produce pops/clicks unless you are recording/playing back several tracks at once with a lot of effects.

If you aren't using ASIO drivers then that would be the first thing I'd try. Most on-board sound cards don't come with ASIO drivers. You can try this free software:

www.asio4all.com

And see if that works.

If not, let us know. Chances are your laptop is 100% better than my computer and I don't experience any clicks/pops. But I also have a sound card with ASIO drivers, so that's mainly what makes me think it's a driver issue.

Also, make sure you setup Audacity so it's using the ASIO drivers (after you install ASIO4All). It should be in the preferences/settings.

 

[JustMeThanks]

Thanks a lot, man. That was some seriously good advice. I'm gonna try the ASIO drivers right now.

 

[JustMeThanks]

So I installed it but I don't see it anywhere in the preferences section for Audacity to use it. Also, I want to note that when I double-click on the Asio icon, it says "running" but there is nothing under the WDM device list. I just have no idea if its actually working when I start recording on audacity or not.

 

[danny.guitar]

So I installed it but I don't see it anywhere in the preferences section for Audacity to use it. Also, I want to note that when I double-click on the Asio icon, it says "running" but there is nothing under the WDM device list. I just have no idea if its actually working when I start recording on audacity or not.

It's possible Audacity doesn't support ASIO drivers. I just tried it myself and it doesn't appear in the list.

WDM/Kernel streaming is a lot slower than ASIO.

You should try Reaper. It's a million times better than Audacity and only costs $40. Fully functional, unexpiring trial too.

Might look a little confusing at first but I, or someone else can always help you set it up, should only take a few minutes.

 

[JustMeThanks]

Yeah, it does some extremely confusing. I armed a track and tried recording but nothing is being recorded so I'm lost.

 

[Rokket]

You need to consult your software's user manual about how to monitor playback and recording...

 

[JustMeThanks]

I checked the Reaper manual and it seems like I was doing everything right; however, the inputs say I'm not connected yet I have a microphone plugged in. No clue.

 

[danny.guitar]

Options -> Preferences -> Device

What's showing up/selected in there?

 

[JustMeThanks]

Its just showing that the audio system and driver is ASIO but it says nothing is connected in the input and output ranges. I don't get it either, I'm pretty sure I once saw someone record on Reaper with a simple computer mic. Also, I've tried my USB m-audio fasttrack, which actually shows up, but nothing records from it but fuzz.

Mainly, I'd like to get Reaper working now with a computer mic.

 

[danny.guitar]

There are no devices showing up in the drop-down boxes in the input range? Did you check the box next to "Enable input range"?

You said you have the USB fast track. Make sure only one interface is enabled at a time in Windows. Either the fast track or your onboard sound card. If they're both enabled and hooked up then you will have problems.

You can do this by:

Unplugging the fast track
Right-clicking My Computer
Click properties
Go to hardware tab
Click device manager

Find your devices, probably in the Sounds & Audio Devices section. Right click the fast track and click 'disable'. Then enable your onboard one if it's not. Then startup Reaper.

This is assuming you have XP.

 

[JustMeThanks]

I have Vista but I had already tried what you just suggested. It seems that when I switch the audio device from ASIO to to DirectSound or WaveOut, I get a signal from the computer mic and I can actually record. I'm starting to think that it isn't the soundcard that produces the pops 'cause from what I've been searching online, my conexant high definition audio is supposed to be really good.

The pops have stopped since I changed the settings on my laptop from "balanced" to "high performance" since its plugged in anyway and I don't need to worry about the battery.

Reaper seems definitely great though, much more complex when compared to Audacity, but cool. I have DirectSound as my audio system right now instead of WaveOut since its noticeably better. I've got a few questions though:

1) Do you know how to reduce the latency as much as possible without ruining quality when it comes to the buffer and samples settings?

2) Should I be recording in 16, 24, or 32bit?

3) Most importantly, how do I set the mic level before recording? I used to be able to on Audacity but I don't see the feature anywhere on Reaper.

By the way, thanks for all the help you've been giving. Extremely appreciated.

 

[danny.guitar]

1) Do you know how to reduce the latency as much as possible without ruining quality when it comes to the buffer and samples settings?

2) Should I be recording in 16, 24, or 32bit?

3) Most importantly, how do I set the mic level before recording? I used to be able to on Audacity but I don't see the feature anywhere on Reaper.

By the way, thanks for all the help you've been giving. Extremely appreciated.

I've never used Vista and not a lot of software has been fully tested with it yet so any bugs you might experience could be caused by that. I'm not for sure if ASIO4All is supported by Vista so that might be why it isn't working.

1. What do you mean by ruining the quality? Buffer and sample settings are really trial and error, different settings will work for some computers, and not for others. You want to set your latency as low as possible to where there is as little delay without pops/clicks.

2. Depends on your sound card. Most on board sound cards (even the good ones) don't truly record at 24-bit. You can still record at 24-bit but it won't do you any good if your converters aren't working at 24-bit. If they aren't, then just record at 16. If they are, then record at 24. Recording at 32-bit would be wasteful.

3. Most of the time, input levels are set on the recording equipment (ie the preamp). If you don't have one, then you will probably want to do it through the Windows Volume mixer. On XP, there is a little icon in the system tray that looks like a speaker or a mixer. If you double click that it will open up your volume settings. You can go to Options -> Properties -> Recording and set the input level of the recording device (Microphone or Line-In).

I attached a small screen shot so you can see what window I'm talking about.