[Alan Starkie]

HELLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!

For no apparent reason, when I record audio in Nuendo, the track is distorted with an electronic type fuzz/crackling. It was working fine a week ago and I haven't changed anything.

Has anyone got an idea what's going on?

And one more time for the road - HHHHHHEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's started doing it just as I'm finishing a song.....

Alan.

[tone]

Shit.... tried fiddling with all your cables/ instruments/ mics from source to input? Check your wiring for an earthing problem? I'm clutching at straws here.

Maybe backup and re-install? If on windows you could try system restore, on mac you could try repair disk permissions.

I'd be tearing my hair out right about now in your shoes mate. Hope you get it sorted

[Boydie]

First of all STAY CALM!

Don't do anything rash and take a slow methodical approach

+1 to checking cables etc.

I would also try saving and turning your PC completely off and then on again (a very IT "fix all" solution and always worth a try)

Another cause of crackles and pops in audio within a DAW is having the audio buffer setting in your sound card driver set too low for what you are doing

Typically you would set them low for recording to reduce latency

But when you start adding fx during the mixing process you add more strain onto your PC and it struggles to play the audio back with small buffer settings, and you end up with crackles and pops

Fortunately, when mixing latency doesn't matter so you can relieve this strain by increasing your buffer settings - this should hopefully resolve your issue

This should help you find the settings: https://www.steinberg.net/nc/en/support/knowledgebase_new/show_details/kb_show/the-playback-of-my-song-crackling.html

If this doesn't work please post as much info as you can and we can try and track the issue down

[Alan Starkie]

Cheers guys but I've checked leads, re-installed and turned off/on to no avail.

I've turned all effects off, removed all midi instruments too but no help.

Weirdly, sometimes it'll record a take ok but then as the take progresses the fizz/crackle will appear.

I've never come across this before.

I've found a newer MAudio driver for windows 7 sp1 so I'll try updating tomorrow but I'm not hopeful.

Also maxed out audio buffers to 4096 but it's not a buffer problem I think (different type of crackling).

[Boydie]

Do you think the crackle is being "recorded" or are you just hearing it on playback - eg is the crackle always in the same place or can you "see" the crackle in the waveform?

Do you hear the crackle through headphones and speakers?

If you just playback do you hear the crackle?

If it is just on recording, what are you recording?

I have had an earthing cable come loose on an sm58, which gave an intermittent fix/crackle that was a nightmare to track down as sm58s rarely break!!!!

If you are recording guitar is it the same on all guitars?

Are you using the same audio interface for your windows sounds? (you tube etc.) AND your DAW?

Are you using ASIO drivers?

If it is a usb device you could try a different port - are you using a USB hub at all?

You might want to research IRQ conflicts to see if this is a potential cause


If the driver update doesn't work (it might) then I would personally spend some time narrowing down the exact issue and when it happens (eg is it on the recording or just the playback) as this will help with the trouble shooting

[Alan Starkie]

Do you think the crackle is being "recorded" or are you just hearing it on playback - eg is the crackle always in the same place or can you "see" the crackle in the waveform?

Do you hear the crackle through headphones and speakers?

If you just playback do you hear the crackle?

If it is just on recording, what are you recording?

I have had an earthing cable come loose on an sm58, which gave an intermittent fix/crackle that was a nightmare to track down as sm58s rarely break!!!!

If you are recording guitar is it the same on all guitars?

Are you using the same audio interface for your windows sounds? (you tube etc.) AND your DAW?

Are you using ASIO drivers?

If it is a usb device you could try a different port - are you using a USB hub at all?

You might want to research IRQ conflicts to see if this is a potential cause


If the driver update doesn't work (it might) then I would personally spend some time narrowing down the exact issue and when it happens (eg is it on the recording or just the playback) as this will help with the trouble shooting

Ok -

Crackle's in the same place.

Headphones and speakers.

Crackle isn't on any of the other tracks. Just new tracks.

I can hear it as I'm recording but only when I strum (like clipping).

Doesn't occur on direct monitoring but is still recorded.

Using MAudio card for ALL sound (inc youtube/windows).

Using MAudio ASIO driver.

Not USB - PCI.

IRQ - yeah that's my final route but I'm reluctant.

[Boydie]

Ok - so it sounds like it is being recorded

What are you recording?

Does it happen with mic and guitar?

Do you have a different input (or even audio interface) to try?


Blindingly Obvious Sense Check Stuff (apologies if this sounds too obvious to mention!)

Try different lead - I had similar symptoms for a partially broken lead (eg guitar to interface)

Is the sound card "seated" properly and is there another PCI socket to try?

Check input level on sound card - usually in the driver software or a physical control on the audio interface/breakout box

I think most DAWs let the driver software/audio interface set input level

If you use the audio interface for all sounds (windows) it is possible you (or someone else) has cranked the levels doing something else in windows

A driver update should help (fingers crossed)

It would be nice to try another audio interface as it could indicate whether the maudio is faulty


Finally, I suspect you have already scrutinised your track for any "gain staging" issues - I know in sonar there is a separate "gain" control from the fader

Start from the sources (guitar/mic) and see if you can try out different options to eliminate each stage to help you hone in on where the issue is

[Alan Starkie]

Recording guitar mostly currently although it's any audio.

Both mic and guitar.

Tried directly into the back of the pc but no difference.

Leads are fine.

I've tried another PCI socket but nothing.

Soundcard inputs are ok.

Not windows settings as when I first turn on, I may get a clean recording initially but after a few seconds - the clipping starts.

I have two Terratec cards but they're incompatible with W7 (the reason I got the MAudio).

The main problem is that I haven't actually changed my recording process. It's just started by itself.

Hopefully the newer driver will sort it.

[tokenangmoh]

A long shot, but I fixed some crackle on my system by following point 15 on this page: http://www.native-instruments.com/en/support/knowledge-base/show/752/windows-7-tuning-tips-for-audio-processing/

It gives your computer's background processes priority, and for me that vastly improved a latency issue I was having. I'm not sure your issue's the same, but it might be worth a try.

And if it doesn't work, there are 14 other tips in the list that conceivably might...

Matt

[Alan Starkie]

Thanks Matt.

I've already adjusted for background processes but I'm gonna tweak some of the other points too tomorrow.

I spent all of today between lessons working on the problem and eventually the HDD actually failed after numerous clicking/freezing episodes.

I had to replace the HDD and installed a newer audiocard driver which seems to have worked.

Only thing is that the PC has started working really slowly now!

When will it end!?

I'll be back on it tomorrow to try and resolve the outstanding problems.

[tone]

Alan! Sending PC-healing vibes your way and fingers crossed for tomorrow

[Alan Starkie]

Quick update :

HDD failed so had to reformat new drive and replace.

Optimised for audio with tips above and re-installed everything.

Searched out newest driver for MAUDIO audio card using windows7.

If you can't find a W7 driver, the newest Vista drivers usually work.

Did that and studio is back to normal.

Cheers for the help guys.

[Boydie]

Ouch - failed hard drive!

Looks like you were ok with back ups etc. or I am guessing the language might have been a little different 

Glad it is sorted

[Alan Starkie]

Always backed up to external hdd Boydie.

[tone]

PHEW!!! Was having a bit of a panic attack on your behalf for a while there Alan. Glad you got it all sorted