weird snapping and crackling???

Posted on

Member Since: Oct 30, 2002

Hello!
When I record stuff with my computer (AMD 1200Mhz, Abit KT7 motherboard, 256RAM, 40GB HD, Sounblaster Live Platinum...)
These weird snaps appear on the recorded wavs.
It's always the same, if I record stuff from outside the computer or inside the computer (like from MP3 to wav or so)
I don't have any clue what could be the reason and cause to these snaps and crackling.... maybe someone here knows something about these kind of problems and could help me.

greets: Kride

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 30, 2002 09:36 pm

It sound's like digital clipping, but could be something else. When you say recording mp3's, do you mean just converting them or are you actually running a record process? And also, what program are you using to record your audio with?

The other issue might be with the driver's used by your SoundBlaster. Window's program's can be very finicky about the driver's it use's.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Oct 30, 2002 11:12 pm

Hi and welcome! It's really hard to tell what's happening to your audio without details. First thing you need to do determine if the sounds are being generated on playback (from taxing the hardware to it's limits or bad software settings) or actually in the recorded waveform. If the sounds are exactly the same and in exactly the same places you can assume they are in the waveform. If they seem random, then they are being generated on playback.

Looks like you have a tough enough PC for what you're doing. Your profile says you have "home studio stuff". If you have a wav editor you should open up an example. Examine the waveform and tell us what you find. -j

Member
Since: Oct 30, 2002


Oct 31, 2002 02:55 pm

yes, hello again!
I updated my soundblaster drivers to the newest bu it didn't help....
the thing is that these weird noises appear when I record stuff from external (guitar, synth, t.ex.) or internal (play MP3 with winamp --> record this to wav) sources.

to J.Garrett

I think these sounds are quite random, but if there is a more silent part in a song then there is not so much crackling. So louder parts more noise, silent parts not so much noise (but still some) And if I listen the wav multiple times the snapping can always be heard in the same positions.

I have Steinber Wavelab. When I record something with my Windows sound recorder, the recording doesn't do the same snapping stuff but this strange hissing (or slight distortion) appears....

I'm totally amazed... hope you can help me.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 31, 2002 09:28 pm

How old is the SB card? If you are getting noize also, this could be a sign of trouble with the card itself. Also, how are you getting the guitar etc. into the PC. Are you using a mixer or what, and are your cable's all in good shape. You can introduce noise and distortion in many way's.

Also, are yo watching your level's and making sure they don't go into the red. I would try lowering your recording input level first and see if this help's at all. If not then try uninstalling the card and reinstall it, or better yet, move it to another PCI slot.

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Nov 01, 2002 12:01 pm

yeah, I agree with Noize. If the bad sound is dynamically related (differences in loud and soft) this is very likely distortion caused by excessively loud singals getting "clipped" against the mechanical limits of your equipment. If you want, and if you get a chance, open up a good example in WaveLab and cut out a little couple-second portion and try and email it to me at milkcritter at hotmail dot com with "HRC" in the subject line. Try and keep it under 500kB please :O) I'll take a look at the waveform, maybe I can help you diagose the problem, or at least eliminate a few possibilities -j

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Nov 18, 2002 08:14 am

I've downloaded the sample recording with the clicks and examined the file by eyes and ears in WaveLab. The clicks are small and sudden variations in amplitude that shift the level only a few decibles for just a few samples before returning to its original path. This is definitly not digital distortion, which is charaterized by obvious "smashing" of the waveform against the top and bottom maximum ceiling. The clicks seem to occur in rhythmic intervals of approximately 16300 samples, which coincides with the binary multiple 16384, which is 2 to the 14th power, or 128 times 128, leading me to look for a digital cause. I have no idea as to the actual technical source of the problem, but I *can* say from experience I do get similar clicks when playing back complex arrangements in FruityLoops and Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 *on my Sound Blaster Live Platinum*. This is the very reason I purchased a dedicated recording card, the M-Audio Delta 44, and continue to use it today. In fact I have both cards installed. The SB for games and internet media and mp3 jukeboxing and the delta for audio projects. I think it's safe to say that the SB is the root of the problem. It sounds like you have a fast machine with some great software. Don't compormise your sound with a gaming card. I only hope I've helped. Good luck -j

Member
Since: Oct 30, 2002


Nov 18, 2002 02:11 pm

Thanx for your help!!!

Contributor
Since: Sep 09, 2002


Nov 18, 2002 04:13 pm

no prob. also if you're interrested in hot-rodding that SB card, here's a link where there are some independant developers that produce aftermarket drivers. there's suppost to be an ASIO driver for the SB Live but I can't find it. Note: these are kinda "install at your own risk" things, if it blows up, dont blame me. -j

emu10k1.tripod.com/_index.htm

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