Static & distortion building up over time - please help

  • Thread starter Thread starter Oskari
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Oskari

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I've looked around the forum and haven't found anything on my particular problem. So, I thought I'd risk bringing it up here. Please feel free to move it to an appropriate section.

Today I started some audio recording. Very simple set up. I use Nuendo 4 with ASIO4all drivers (I think that's what they're called). For audio I simple plug in my Samson CO1U USB microphone and play acoustic guitar and sing.

The problem is that after a couple of minutes while I'm recording I start to hear a build up of static and distortion coming through my headphones (monitor) to the point where it's all I can hear. I suspect it has something to do with the ASIO thing because if I go to the 'control panel' in the Device Panel and deactivate the Samson and listen back to what I've recorded the static/distortion is gone. Then, I activate it again and - presto - a couple of minutes either in playback or record and the noise builds up again.

Admittedly, I'm a real noob when it comes to all this stuff, but I do suspect that there has to be a quick fix because I can get around it by momentarily deactivating the Samson. The static/distortion is not recorded, it is simply in the playback and the monitoring while recording.

If you need more info., you just have to ask. Thanks!
 
No doubt someone will hold my hand soon, but I thought I'd give you a clue as to my set up.

Win 7 Pro
i5 3.2 processor
12 Gb RAM
Azrock mobo
Samson CO1U USB microphone

I'll just add that I'm getting amazing results with my naive recording. I've just managed to record a four minute song, but it has meant either doing the audio in 2 minute brackets or trying to ignore the static/distortion build up while I'm recording. It's the weirdest thing because the noise doesn't affect the final outcome - it just appears after a few minutes either while I'm recording or when I play back the song (if I have the microphone active in ASIO4ALL's control panel). Simply turning it off and turning it back on again always fixes the problem. BTW, I have updated ASIO4ALL to version 2.10.

In the meantime, I'll email my recording buddy in another state and see if he has any clues.
 
Does the static-distortion happen when you unplug the mic?
Can you post a screenshot of your asio4all settings in advanced mode?
 
Thanks, Seidy. I'll try playing what I've recorded without the mic plugged in and see what happens. In the meantime, have a look at these:

Asio2.webpDevicepanel.webpdevicesetup1.webp
 
Okay, unplugged the mic and started Nuendo. Of course, it didn't show up in ASIO4ALL's control panel. The result was no 'crackles' at all! I think this was to be expected. It definitely has got something to do with a conflict between the USB mic and ASIO4ALL.

In the meantime, as a friend suggested, I should install Cakewalk/Sonar LE (the software that came with the mic) and see if I can duplicate this noise problem.
 
Still persisting with Nuendo - haven't had a chance to install SONAR.

I did discover something new about my problem, which might prove useful (when someone decides to comment). I always thought the problem was directly affected by activating the mic in ASIO4ALL, but today I discovered that that alone wasn't causing my 'little problem at all. It may still be an influencing factor, but it wasn't until I activated the mic in VST Connections (F4) that the noise problem started to appear. It's always the same little problem: initially okay, but a few minutes (2-3) into playback or record and it starts building up. A faint crackle eventually becomes all-encompassing distortion.

Do you think there's a conflict between ASIO4ALL and VST Connections? I really don't understand this technical stuff, but my hunch is that they must be misbehaving.
 
Turn off Resample 44,1<->48khz on A4A settings. Just in case, see if it makes any difference.

Check Windows sound settings. See if the Samson is default mic.

Increase-decrease buffer size on A4A settings, check if it gets better or not. Also monitor the VST performance (press F12 on Cubase/Nuendo).

Try the newer Asio4all beta.

I understand there's a somekind of SoftPre software for the mic, can we see the screenshot of that also?
 
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I've tried unchecking the 44.1<>48 khz setting. No help.

The Samson is the default mic.

Samson don't offer the SoftPre download any more - they reckon controlling the mic via Windows is much better.

I'll try the other stuff. Thanks.
 
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