Recording extra tracks become fuzzy

[Steve3o]

I have a pretty old computer that I use for recording. A little bedroom studio for myself. Connected to it is a Shure SM57 through an M-Audio DMP3 preamp. I am using Audacity currently.

The first track I record is flawless and sounds amazing. If I want to record another track (while listening to the first track) the second track has an annoying fuzz. However, if I record another track while not listening to the first track, both are nice and clear.

This is obviously a problem as I want to add extra tracks and have them sync up without a fuss. Any way to fix this? Would be greatly appreciated.

 

[danny.guitar]

There is a limit to how loud things can get in digital. This is 0db. If the sound gets louder, it gets cut off. The wave gets "clipped" at that point, this is known as "clipping", surprisingly enough. This causes distortion.

As you add more tracks, the overall volume will keep increasing until it clips. This is the first possible cause for the "fuzz" you're hearing, because that is what digital distortion sounds like.

You should never let the input meters get into the red zone. When recording a track, try to keep the maximum "peak" level at around -18db (probably somewhere along 2/3rds of the way to the top or more).

If you hear fuzz, try turning the volume faders down on the tracks to see if it helps. If you record a track, and it clips on the way in, you will have to re-record it completely.

But it sounds like it's clipping during playback. The actual recorded tracks didn't clip on the way in. So try just turning down all the faders and turning up your speakers/headphones/whatever.

 

[Dani Pace]

I've used Audacity a bit so I'll try to help. One thing I discovered is you need an external amp for monitors or headphones, this allows you to use a very low playback volume in the Audacity controls. Lower playback volume helps with both distortion and latency, especialy on older or slower computers. As already mentioned, record at the lowest volume you are comfortable with, you can always amplify a track later if you need to. Always record in mono unless you have a stereo peramp and are using two mics, one mic recorded in stereo will often distort on one or both tracks. If you want to hard pan (more than 70% to one side) use the "make right (or left) chanel" feature. While Audacity has some limits (the reason a lot of people don't like it) it is a good program for learning the basics of digi recording. I hope some of this helps, good luck. BTW I've heard some decent recordings done with Audacity (even made a couple myself) it just takes patience to learn the limits of the software, and then how to work within those limits.