Recording Help please

[n3vo]

ive had this issue for awhile, everytime i start a live track (my bass, piano anything thats a real instrument) it makes a weird popping/cracking/clap noise when i start recording. I used to play directly plugged in to my macbook into the line in, I thought that might be the problem, but its not because I recently got a firestudio mobile and its still doing it? I really want to know why this is happening, its stopping me from recording. Ive also used garageband, and logic and it does it in both problems, heres and example of what im talking about and thanks for your help!

[Foamy]

Gate or compressor not opening? I did not hear a crack, but sounded like an abrupt start.

[bThumper38]

Have you set the buffer size/ latency, that kind of stuff.

[n3vo]

i have not messed with gate compressor or buffer size, its always an abrupt start like that for every live track, like i get 4 click count in then start recording and when i play back i always get taht abrupt sound. could you give me more info on what you mean about gate and compressor? and or the buffer size/ latency?

thanks guys! i really appreciate it

[Foamy]

Compressors and gates can be considered like a real gate - open or closed. They can be set so that nothing gets through unless it hits a certain level. Gates are like this, and compressors can be as well (but less so). So it could be that your first brush of the strings with your fingers or the first bits of a note aren't loud enough to open the gate. I'm not convinced that's the problem. It likely has more to do with what bThumper38 says - something on the computer. But I've heard similar stuff with gates and compressors. Maybe you aren't using a compressor? If you're not, then look at computer settings. Example, are you using ASIO drivers?

[n3vo]

Originally Posted by Foamy

Compressors and gates can be considered like a real gate - open or closed. They can be set so that nothing gets through unless it hits a certain level. Gates are like this, and compressors can be as well (but less so). So it could be that your first brush of the strings with your fingers or the first bits of a note aren't loud enough to open the gate. I'm not convinced that's the problem. It likely has more to do with what bThumper38 says - something on the computer. But I've heard similar stuff with gates and compressors. Maybe you aren't using a compressor? If you're not, then look at computer settings. Example, are you using ASIO drivers?

Im not sure to be honest, Ive only touched the basics of recording, im using a macbook with firewire presonus firestudio mobile.

[Foamy]

Hopefully someone with more experience than me can help. Although a huge Mac fan, I've really only recorded with Tracktion and Audigy on a PC using the same interface you are using. I believe it was Tracktion that supplied the ASIO drivers - don't remember. But I do remember have to goof with a lot of settings wet buffers and latency on an older PC. My current laptop if fine. Let's see what others have to offer. :-)

[Gomusico]

Pretty sure your latency is set too low. Go into your presonus software and set the latency/buffer to a higher setting. Start very high and if it goes away, that's your answer. A high latency will be very hard to record with so the next step is to lower it as much as you can before the crackling comes back. Turning off unneeded INS and outs will help. Also, make sure you have as few plug-INS running as possible. Plug-ins eat up processor power and the crackling comes when the processor can't keep up.

[Gomusico]

Ok I wrote that before I listened. If it's just 1 click at the very beginning than latency is not your problem. A latency problem will cause several random clicks throughout. If You're just talking about that 1 click, it is caused by the speaker or headphone driver jumping into action at the beginning of the track. You can't stop that from happening until you create a fade in at the beginning of the track. After the count in, give yourself another 4 before you start playing. That'll give time to fade in.