Audacity problem

Bassman203 · #1 04-19-2009, 01:15 PM

Whenever I try recording with the program Audacity, there is a delay between two tracks.

I'll lay down a drum track, and everything is fine.
Then I lay down a guitar track over it while listening to the drum track, and the guitar track is always off from the drums. I've decided it isn't my fault, because instead of recording a guitar part over the drums, I played the drums track through a speaker, and recorded that over the original drum track, and they were off by a split second. How can I insure this won't happen while using audacity? Are there any other free or cheap programs that don't have this problem?

Here's a description of how I record, in case it helps find out the problem. First, I mic'd the drums (one overhead, one in the bass drums, I use dynamic mics). I sent the mics to a mixer, and used a phone out on the mixer to the mic input on my computer. I recorded a drum track then onto audacity. Next I mic'd my guitar amp (I've also tried plugging directly into my computer), and recorded a guitar line over it while listening to the drum track (I have tried playing the drum track through headphones and speakers). No matter what, there is a delay.

-Kramer- · #2 04-19-2009, 01:27 PM

I used to have this problem, I just don't know how I fixed it permanently.

What I did when I had this problem was go to the very beginning of the track that is off, and then delete very small bits of silence until I could see that the tracks were lining up. If you delete too much, just click undo or you can generate silence (under "Generate -> Silence) and then delete until they line up again.

phall2112 · #3 04-19-2009, 01:40 PM

stupid question. i cant figure out how to layer tracks on audicity. i thought it was just a single track recorder.

Bassman203 · #4 04-19-2009, 01:48 PM

you can add a new track under the project tab, or hit the record button and it will open up a new one.

Nick Kay · #5 04-19-2009, 01:50 PM

This isn't Audacity's fault, this is your settings. You've got a big sample buffer, so that means lots of latency, but it can be difficult to change the size of the sample buffer on a regular soundcard. Are you using ASIO4All drivers, or the stock WDM drivers for your soundcard?

-Kramer- · #6 04-19-2009, 01:55 PM

Ah, good call Nick, now I remember what I did to fix the problem. I use a cheap M-Audio single channel interface that came with some set-up software. When I opened the software I was able to change some settings that allowed me to decrease latency. Depending on your interface, you may be able to do something similar.

Bassman203 · #7 04-19-2009, 01:56 PM

I haven't changed what drivers I use, so I would assume the stock

phall2112 · #8 04-19-2009, 01:58 PM

thanks bassman, now if i can get it to read my usb, instead of the crappy line in.

Bassman203 · #9 04-19-2009, 02:03 PM

I opened up my system info, and it said this is the driver my sound card uses
rtkvhda.sys

phall2112 · #10 04-19-2009, 02:03 PM

just got it, u da man bassman.

backline112 · #11 04-19-2009, 02:29 PM

Bassman, I've got the same problem. I just did what Kramer said, delete silence/move the track so it matches the other one.

Nick Kay · #12 04-19-2009, 02:34 PM

Bassman, you're going to want to check out ASIO4All. It'll be lower latency than your stock drivers by nature, and you'll be able to access some deeper-level settings than just the volume sliders - always a plus when it comes to recording.

You could also spring for an interface. 99% of them come with serviceable ASIO drivers and much lower latency than regular soundcards.

Bassman203 · #13 04-19-2009, 02:38 PM

sounds good, I'm also considering purchasing Mixcraft. Any opinions on the software?

Nick Kay · #14 04-19-2009, 02:55 PM

I'm not a Mixcraft user myself, but I've heard good things from a few people. I'd suggest downloading trials of a few different DAWs and seeing which you like best. Reaper gets my recommendation in the low-cost arena, but it's not nearly as user-friendly as most of the alternatives. Sony ACID comes to mind.

Steve · #15 04-19-2009, 04:21 PM

Sounds like a latency issue.
There are settings you can tweak in the control panel that will adjust for it automaticaly.

I know with my computer, it took a 40ms forward bump. I havent had to mess with it since.

Bassman203 · #16 04-19-2009, 04:31 PM

With audacity, how do you change which driver you use?

and with Mixcraft, when using the asio driver, it says there is no output device for playback, then when I switch it back to one of the other two drivers, it will have one, but it will no longer record. I can record with either of the other two drivers if I use them without trying the asio one, but I can only adjust the latency on one, and not low enough to have the tracks line up.

Any suggestions?