random clicking sound when recording bass

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chesnick
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Chesnick

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Hi,

I have been recording to my laptop for several years using Acid Pro 4.0. This week I was recording some electric bass run through a Line6 POD when I noticed an annoying clicking/popping/static sound popping in every second or two. I played the track back and the sound was there, very audible. I tried dusting the inputs and changing cords and all that, restarting the program, etc. Nothing worked. I tried my keyboard and guitar through the same setup and they sound fine. It's only when the bass is plugged in, and it's only when producing a tone.

Here's the weird part: I realized the noise seems to correspond to movement on my laptop screen, but only when the bass is being played. If I just play the bass, no noise. If I just move my mouse, no noise. But if I pluck the bass and then move my mouse across the screen, the clicking returns. It was in the recordings because the monitor levels were moving up and down while I was playing.

I rarely use the bass, but I don't remember this ever happening before. Any ideas?
 
That's weird. Do you hear it during playback? Or only when you're playing the bass?

Is your interface getting enough power from the USB port? Do you or can you plug in an AC adaptor?

Try reloading the driver for the interface.
 
Just wanted to post some closure/update info.

I wasn't plugging in with USB, I was going through the mic input on the laptop. The noise starting happening with other instruments besides the bass, so I figured it was my machine. I went out and bought an external soundcard (Sound Blaster by Creative) thinking that using a USB input would solve it. But it didn't. The sound was still there, and yes, it can be heard in the playback.

I've noticed now that the sound only starts up after the laptop has been in use for an extended period. If I restart, the sound disappears. So basically, I never fixed whatever the problem is, but I've managed to work around it.
 
Sound Blaster 'external' card? What kind of crap are they selling now?

Man, get an interface. Even the cheapest one, made for recording, will be better than any 'Creative' card. Period/done. Do not even reply, just go buy a Lexicon Alpha or something. :)
 
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