New Interference with New Computer.

carol m · #1 June 10th, 2008

I got my Tascam connected to my new computer. I downloaded Audacity and tried it out. I get a regular interference blip which I recorded for a diagnosis!

It's on both mic and guitar in. On this recording I have boosted the sound with volumes on max and some compression so its easier to hear. I don't think the hiss is a problem at normal levels, but the bleeping is. It never happened on my old computer. I've switched off lights etc and nothing got rid of it. I'm guessing its the 50Hz thingy (don't know anything about it, and even less about how to get rid of it!)

I'm going to download Reaper now to see if it's there as well. In the meantime, any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

knight46 · #2 June 10th, 2008

Carol,
I used Audacity for a while but can't really remember, does it have a built in metronome? That sound is cyclical but sounded an awful lot like a midi metronome. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but I am sure someone will be able to assist.

carol m · #3 June 10th, 2008

Hi Knight, I looked to see if a click track was playing - no sign of one from what I could see. When I get Reaper going, that might give a clue.

carol m · #4 June 10th, 2008

Bad news! I'm getting the same bleep in Reaper as well...

and for those that were reading the other thread about Vista, the courier has lost my Macbook...I'm having a bad week!

knight46 · #5 June 10th, 2008

Sorry to hear that the problem is persistant, maybe someone can come to the rescue.

starsailor · #6 June 10th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by carol m

Bad news! I'm getting the same bleep in Reaper as well...

and for those that were reading the other thread about Vista, the courier has lost my Macbook...I'm having a bad week!

Which Tascam have you got Carol, I'm having a bad week Courier wise the Aardvark soundcard I bought from the US in April is still floating around somewhere I'm having an argument with the Courier at the moment who vaguely know where it is, I used all my swear words up on them yesterday.
Anyway you mentioned the 50hz thingy is that to do with the wordclock is that mentioned in the manual at all, that sound is very consistent.

Stratrat · #7 June 10th, 2008

That definitely sounds like some kind of metronome, Carol. Does the Tascam have a metronome or click track of some kind built into it?

It doesn't sound like the default click track that Audacity uses - it's much too low-pitched - so I'd suspect it's coming from elsewhere. The fact that you got it in Reaper too leads me to believe it's in the Tascam somewhere. I haven't messed with midi yet, so don't know if the wordclock could cause such a thing or not.

Sorry to hear about the troubles with your lost Mac, too - hope it all works out for you!!!

Rockerbob · #8 June 10th, 2008

That sounds like a kick drum. perhaps the click is sending out a MIDI note being picked up by internal sounds.

carol m · #9 June 10th, 2008

I don't think it's the Tascam because it doesn't have its own metronome or click track - I haven't loaded the software package that comes with it. The other thing is that I haven't changed anything on the Tascam and I didn't have it before. Today I'm going to try plugging straight into the computer via line in (not using the Tascam) and see what I get.

I'm not sure what effects the 50Hz might produce - I think its the current (?) used by household electricity systems that can sometimes be a problem (what sort of problem I've no idea).

It crosses my mind that my old computer is sitting there unused (possibly feeling rejected?) and sending bad vibes? If I was getting my Mac I could have used that for recording.

If necessary I could use my old computer for recording but that would be a pain and take up all my space and patience.

PS It's time my hardware learnt who is the boss around here

carol m · #10 June 10th, 2008

I've just timed it and it's at 100bpm so maybe that would fit with a 50Hz problem (AC current?) OK, I'm waaay out of my depth in the Physics department here

Stratrat · #11 June 10th, 2008

You're outside of my depth of expertise also, but I've never heard of household current causing a rhythmic sound like you recorded. Over here our AC current is 60Hz, and it usually manifests itself in a 'hum'.

carol m · #12 June 10th, 2008

The news gets worse- I get the same bleep with nothing at all plugged in

Tekker · #13 June 11th, 2008

That is a very strange problem.

I've never heard 50Hz/60Hz buzz do that either. This is what 60Hz buzz sounds like:
Image:Mains hum 60 Hz.ogg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I don't think it's a metronome/click track either. Especially since it is doing that in Reaper, because that is definitely not Reaper's click sound.

You're using Vista, correct? If so, I'd say look no further.

Do you have the latest driver for the Tascam installed?

-tkr

carol m · #14 June 11th, 2008

Hi Tekker, I'm on XP Prof SP2 (AMD not Intel). It has to be the computer itself because if I click Record on Freecorder, I get the bleeping with nothing at all plugged in. My computer has its own heartbeat!

carol m · #15 June 11th, 2008

OMG!!!! It's gone!!!!! I'm going to experiment with every light and power source in the house!