STATIC!
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Posted on Jun 21, 2012 12:58 pm
bohlinghaus
Member Since: Jun 21, 2012
I have searched and seen many articles dealing with static while recording this or that. Here is my issue.
Like many, I am using FL Studio to do some recording of guitar tracks, I also use Audacity for the same task. I use my keyboard's audio interface (m-audio) to make the connection. After a few seconds or minutes, I will get static. Sometimes it makes it on the recording, other times it does not. It is mostly in monitoring and playback. I can remedy the issue during playback in FL Studio by minimizing it and maximizing it. Adjusting the ASIO buffer is only a temp fix, since it is the same as leaving the main FL window and going to another and back. I have disabled the Realtek (my onboard sound) inputs. But that changed nothing.
When I am using Audacity to record, I do not get the static in playback, but sometimes the static will occur during recording and make it onto the recording.
Either case, it only happens when recording from an external device (guitar, vocal)
Any possible remedies?
My setup, FL Studio 10, M-Audio Venom, homebrewed PC, AMD Phenom 3.4, 16G ram, WIn7 64, Realtek onboard sound.
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Tim NUh, at least one more time . . .Member
Since: Feb 07, 2007
Jun 21, 2012 11:50 pm It sounds like either the buffers are set too low, or you've got a grounding problem. Are you using balanced cables anywhere? How does the sound get in to the computer? Via USB? I had similar issues with noise, but finally fixed it by using ART's DTI.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jun 22, 2012 06:53 am are you running fx at the same time? If so are they inserts or sends?
Jun 22, 2012 02:46 pm Thanks for the replies!
Tim - I can adjust the buffers, but that is only temporary since the staic, near distortion begins again. The Venom has an unbalanced instrument and mic input (i am going straight in, guitar to Venom. i was thinking this may be the issue, but read on...) The Venom is connected via USB. It is a MIDI through USB setup, using only a USB cable and NOT a USB/MIDI cable.
Dematrix - No. I generally record with NO fx, just clean guitar and mix then use fx inserted to the master channel when exporting. Most of the time, I will not use fx at all and just export the clean tone out and use Audacity for the rest. When recording into Audacity, from time to time, there will be distortion also. I use the same set up for that.
UPDATE - I tried running everything through the Venom, i.e. input and output. Still had distortion. Also, now when I am not using the instrument input, and using VSTs in FL, I am getting static. Usually after a few minutes. Again, adjusting the buffer is temporary and it seems it is the same thing as minimizing and maximizing the FL program. That is, if I go to another program outside FL, then it stops. Only, of course, to reappear at some point.
J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Jun 22, 2012 06:12 pm So, it sounds like you are going direct in to the venom? Are the signals clipping at all according to the LEDs on the inputs? How about the channel meters and master in FL Studio?
On the unbalanced inputs, well, as long as you're not using 20 or30 ft. cable runs, you're probably fine. Though if the cables are next to power sources, and running parallel to the power cables, that could potentially be an issue, and introduce noise into the signal.
As long as you're using the USB device cable, that should be a non-issue. The USB cable on my midi-controller is a standard device cable. Same thing on my R3 and on the padKontrol. Unlike those, however, it appears that the USB device cable from the venom is apparently capable of sending audio as well as midi, but I think it would be better to just record straight off the inputs.
Another thing I saw is that the Venom's inputs are locked at 44.1Khz quality, so could there possibly be a discrepancy in the software settings or something, like you're recording at 44.1khz sample quality, but the software is set to 48.8khz, or 96khz or something? I don't think that would cause the static sound, but it's good to make sure all data is at the same quality throughout the project. (well, unless you're dithering down from a higher quality to 44.1 when rendering the file anyway)
I know it is possible to send incoming audio sources through the synth engine on the venom, (to use the filters and etc.) so maybe make sure the signal isn't being sent through that stuff somehow.
Other than that, to me it sounds like potentially a gain stage issue where it is clipping somewhere on its way to the software, or there is a buffer issue, where the buffer on the venom isn't set high enough or something. I know it was said "Don't expect a $500 audio interface on a $500 synthesizer/audio-interface combo unit" if he meters and LEDs look good, then maybe it is the buffer afterall. What is the buffer set at currently when you record? 512? 1024? 256? Depending on the computer 512 and 1024 should be doable, and still be relatively low latency.
Since you specifically describe "static" and "distortion" rather than "click, crackle, popping" that makes me think something in the signal is clipping somewhere, or possibly external noise is being introduced somehow (like Tim said, potentially ground noise)
For people unfamiliar with the venom, this guy did some thorough digging and reporting back of features and capabilities.
acapella.harmony-central....nthesizer/page2
Maybe something in that info will spark some thoughts or help with troubleshooting it.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jun 22, 2012 07:51 pm yeah bro sounds like "somehow" its could be still routing thru the onboard compy soundcard.
i know you proly been asked a hundred times but, you say youve disabled the realtek, but you do have chosen in sounds and audio, M-audio? just gotta check is all man.
Can i ask what the buffers are set on mate?
Jun 23, 2012 10:21 am J-Hot, Dematrix you are great! OK, to answer the questions and offer an update...
There is no clipping, neither the Venom or the program. The article linked to made me check my CPU load, not enough to concern myself with. 10 to 20 and no extra noise. When the distortion/noise/static starts, there is no noticeable load on the CPU or ram. Certain VSTs will load the CPU and then performance gets really choppy at that point. SO, I do not use them.
The buffers. Well, I adjust those (anywhere from 128 and up) and that is only a temp fix since it will start again no matter where they are set to. Currently they are 512.
Ah, here is what I stumbled up on. Mentioning the sample rate of the Venom fixed at 44.1, AND that this distortion/static/noise business is happening with or without the Venom I checked the Realtek sample rate and it was 48.something. I knocked it down to 44.1 to match FL and it appears to have gone away. I will put heavy emphasis on "appears". Since this issue does not happen instantly. It happens over a period of a minute or so, regardless of what I am doing or what I am using (Venom or not) I also need to test Audacity to see if it is happening there too. AS mentioned, if I am using Audacity and the Venom AI, then it is hit or miss. It is there or it isn't. If it appears on the track, I delete it and start again.
I disabled the input in Realtek, kept the audio in the ASIO. Also, I have the Venom enabled for both.
Cheers!
Jun 26, 2012 04:54 am Check that!
The dist/noise came back. I do not get it. I have adjusted buffers to the point of a delay. The noise will come. Is it normal for the noise to kick in after a few minutes?
I have turned sample rates down as low as they can go, same thing.
Using only the interface on the Venom, and not the onboard Realtek. After a few moments, same thing.
I have even went to absurd steps as shutting down every other program -or at least most of them, after a few moments, same thing.
I have all but given up on live recording with Audacity.
I have turned off all lights, fans, etc in the room I am in. Still get it. I have moved the PC to another room. Still get it.
ARGG!!
Just how fast a PC do you need? I included my PC stats in an earlier post.
I am thinking of getting a separate Audio interface, but I am nervous to do so. I live in Taiwan and the return policies here are almost non existent. As is ordering online. So, if I buy one and still get noise, I am stuck.
I really am thankful and grateful for all the help, but nothing appears to be working
Jun 26, 2012 08:29 am Your computer is PLENTY powerful enough to do the job.
Just out of idle curiosity, perhaps it's worth a try to download a different app, like Reaper or Goldwave to try out, they are free to download and demo...and it could show if the distortion is coming from Audacity itself (which I doubt).
cooloFrisco's Most UnderratedMember
Since: Jan 28, 2003
Jun 27, 2012 04:27 am Maybe it would help to post a sample of the static. Sometimes you call it distortion, other times you call it static. They are two seperate things and and caused by different issues, so maybe if we could hear it, we could help point in the right direction better.
zekthedeadcowEat Spam before it eats YOU!!!Member
Since: May 11, 2002
Jul 05, 2012 12:41 pm For the sake of posterity I thought I'd add that (even though it's hard to tell without a recorded example) this static may be a problem with the operating systems internal sound server. For example, windows system sounds have a history of changing playback sample rates to something weird like 32khz. I use linux and I used to get a staticy sound when firefox tried to play a flash video while the pulse audio server was running with certain (default) settings. OSX might try to do something similar.
So... kill noncritical sound servers and test that way... and or check what procresses are doing what when the static occures.
