xlr cable or my fast track pro problem? (crackling)

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Soulstice

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It was working fine until i moved it, it seems that when i record now, i get this strange crackling noise in the background of some parts of my recorded words. Im running it adobe audition, i have a at2020 microphone, with a windows 7. The problem really seems to be either the xlr cable or the fast track pro, as the microphone didnt seem to make a difference when i changed it. the levels are all fine because i havent changed them, but im not sure which one needs to be fixed
 
Well...you need to first narrow it down to what is causing the problem before you can consider how to fix it.

Don't you have another XLR cable to try?
 
Yup. Try another XLR cable. If the crackle is still there, it's in the system; if it goes away it was the cable.

If you want a quick (but less conclusive) test, wiggle the cable while recording. If the crackle gets worse (or better) then it's still likely the cable. If moving the cable doesn't affect the crackling, there's a good chance that the problem is elsewhere.

One quick thing to try: you mentioned moving the set up was the beginning of your trouble. Cheap connectors can tarnish/corrode if left connected for a long time. Plug and unplug the XLR connectors a bunch of times (enough to rub any tarnish off) and you may find this improves or even cures things.

Bob
 
Okay its not the xlr cable, i bought a new one and tested it out, i have no idea what it can be im so pissed, waste of 20 bucks lol open to suggestions?
 
alright i looked it over, it doesnt seem to be the usb in the back either as i have tried two different ones, so its probably the fast track pro itself, which makes it even more screwed up
 
The first thing I'd do is go to the M-Audio site and download the latest drivers. Crackle can be a driver issue.

Beyond that, I'd make sure that unnecessary stuff on you computer (network stuff, Wifi, Anti virus, system sounds, etc. are all turned off when doing a recording session. Any software like this running in background can cause pops and dropouts during recording...so I guess frequent pops could be described as crackle!

Bob
 
Could it be the software? If you're using an expired trial version or software you got from Limewire (or wherever people get their "free" software these days), maybe that's it. Just guessing, I really have no idea.
 
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