New Sound Card, Terrible Recording Quality, Thick Line in Audacity

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mclovits

mclovits

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So I got a cheap sound card from Fry's (model is a Sabrent SBT-SP6C) because I was getting terrible interference through my on-board audio. This new card sounds just fine, and the drivers were easy to install, but now I have a huge issue. I like to record in Audacity, but everytime I record something, the audio is fuzzy and the line in Audacity is "thick." Here's what I'm talking about: http://imgur.com/UQWVyuo

It shouldn't be like that. I've tried using Realtek drivers too, but I can't use anything but the C-Media crap drivers that came with the card (though I did download the latest ones from their website).
Please recommend a solution, I can maybe spend a bit more on a better card but since this happened with another device (though it was also C-media) I'd like to see if it's software based, maybe I could use some other drivers? Thanks
 
Solution
Spiritos


First page on ebay. I use the Audio Firewire on my 2nd backup PC for tracking a guitar, mic and VST's with <10 ms latency. The other is even better:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Audio-Firewire-Audiophile-USED-Mobile-Recording-Interface-WITH-ADAPTER-/370834966507?pt=US_Computer_Recording_Interfaces&hash=item56577c87eb...
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mclovits

mclovits

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I installed the latest ASIO4all driver but I'm getting the same results, fuzzy, low quality audio. Any other ideas?
 
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mclovits

mclovits

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I just want my audio to be restored to normal, I didn't think it would be so difficult to just record decent audio through a sound card that wouldn't be worse than my on-board audio, plus that latency issue I had through my speakers was terrible. Well, I don't want to spend a ton of money, what would you recommend?
 
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mclovits

mclovits

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I know, even with this simple card I shouldn't be getting this terrible recording audio though, I've gotten the same result with another C-Media product as well.
 
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Spiritos

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I don't know if you're using VST's or a real life instrument like a guitar but for the latter I can guarantee you you won't be able to do any decent recording with a $10 dollar soundcard. More RAM will not solve your problem in this case. You have 8GB already and unless you're using huge libraries like EWQL Choirs or so with Kontakt it's allmost overkill already.

What are your buffersettings? With this cheap audiointerface it should at least be 1024 or even 2048 or so and with it humongeous latency.
Do yourself a favor. You have a great system. Just invest in a decent audio interface. You won't find a new one under $50 dollar but you probably can find a used one for that money.

 
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mclovits

mclovits

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I'm recording my own voice as well as some beatboxing, nothing too hardcore. Alright, I'll see if I can't get the on board to cooperate, if not, I'll invest in a decent sound card. It's just irritating that such a simple, built-in solution is so hard to replace. Thanks for the help guys.
 
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Spiritos

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First page on ebay. I use the Audio Firewire on my 2nd backup PC for tracking a guitar, mic and VST's with <10 ms latency. The other is even better:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/M-Audio-Firewire-Audiophile-USED-Mobile-Recording-Interface-WITH-ADAPTER-/370834966507?pt=US_Computer_Recording_Interfaces&hash=item56577c87eb
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-IO-2-Two-Channel-24-bit-USB-Audio-Interface-NEW-/161046895995?pt=US_Computer_Recording_Interfaces&hash=item257f249d7b


 
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Solution
Spiritos

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The first 2 would do fine, the last one not (that's a mixer). The idea is that you have a dedicated audio interface which handles the audio. You could get a PCIe card as well but in general they're more expensive. If you look at specs look for something that can handle 24 bits and 96 kHz and then you're set.
 
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mclovits

mclovits

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That would make sense, even the cheap card started squealing like a pig in game, I'm thinking my issue is PSU related, but I am not going to be purchasing a new one so one of these external devices will hopefully save me. Are you sure that the Xenyx mixer wouldn't work? On the Youtube video I watched the guy said you can hook up your headphones and feed the line to them (I'd use speakers) and the built in sound card takes care of any latency, then I could record from the same device and have everything located externally on my desk.
 
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Spiritos

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Looking at your specs I very much doubt it's your PSU. You have 650W with an 80 plus certificate. I was thinking it could also be the settings in Audacity if the other sounds in your PC work well (mediaplayer, systemsounds etc.) Audacity is a nice tool but it's not a real DAW like Cubase or Ableton Live so you could try to recheck those settings. They should be under Audio and you should select the correct drivers (native or Asio) and adjusy the latency and buffersize (choose high buffersize to avoid the crackles). But this is a wild guess..

About the Xenyx mixer: Yes, in a way it is an audio interface but it doesn's support Asio4all. Thus should you ever choose to step up your game of making music on the PC you're screwed again. And even if you just want to use it for beatboxing chanches are it won't work because of the lack of Asio-support so I wouldn't recommend it. You could take the chance, I'm guessing you like em because it's new, affordable and has a lot of options, but my suggestion would still be to look for a cheaper used 24/96 interface with Asio4all support.
 
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