Audio fades when recording

[highjumpharry]

Hi so I have looked around but haven't found a solution to my problem. When I record audio it seems the microphone is cutting out at a certain sound level. So if I hold a note on a guitar instead of fading away to nothing about halfway through the note the sound drops out abruptly. It seems like maybe its a noise canceling feature but it makes recording impossible as it keeps dropping out on most notes and missing others. Please let me know if you guys have any ideas. My profile should have all the info you need. It is a mic included in the display of the laptop.

 

[fireberd]

I have a small home recording studio. You would be better off either getting a good quality USB mic or a USB connected interface unit that is designed for guitar signals.

The built mic or separate "computer" mics are only designed for speaking voice, not singing or recording music.

 

[highjumpharry]

Thanks for the reply. I actually have a device that lets me play my electric through usb. I would like this to work so I can just casually record for myself with my acoustic. Really a quick recording that is easy. I still would like this problem solved if we can thanks.

 

[Aphelion]

Indeed, your description sounds like a noisegate with a threshold setting.

I just had an idea, perhaps speech recognition or voice activation is enabled?

Right click on the Microsoft speaker icon in the task bar, select recording devices.. Microphone should be in there, correct.

Single left click on "Microphone", both the "Configure" and "Properties" button become active.

Select "Configure"

In the Control Panel Window that opens, select Advanced Speech Recognition... check some of the options, it it active, is "voice activation" enabled?

If that's not it look at some of your other options, also, go back a step and look at the Properties button.

Ap

 

[highjumpharry]

Yeah a noisegate with a threshold setting is exactly what it sounds like. Unfortunately I tried all the options in those menus and nothing has changed. Nothing was checked for voice recognition although it seems my options were a little different than the ones you described. after selecting configure I have "advanced speech options" not recognition and voice activation is not checked. Seem to getting warmer but still not there. Thanks

 

[Aphelion]

Yeah a noisegate with a threshold setting is exactly what it sounds like. Unfortunately I tried all the options in those menus and nothing has changed. Nothing was checked for voice recognition although it seems my options were a little different than the ones you described. after selecting configure I have "advanced speech options" not recognition and voice activation is not checked. Seem to getting warmer but still not there. Thanks

What do you record with?

Can you see a waveform? Does the audio fade appear in the waveform or is it something going on in the playback section?

Ap

 

[highjumpharry]

I am using windows live movie maker and the recording program that comes with windows "sound recorder". Both dont have wave graphs.

 

[Aphelion]

I am using windows live movie maker and the recording program that comes with windows "sound recorder". Both dont have wave graphs.

Hmmm.. follow the directions in my first post except select Playback Devices. Single left click on the default playback device (green check mark) and select Properties.. you should hae a window with several tabs. Do you have an Enhancements tab?

It's possible one of the enhancements, if enabled is interfering with the output. Might check "Immediate Mode" then Disable all Sound Effects.

Also, in Control Panel the may be a CP for your audio system, I'd check there and make sure everything looks good and any effects or software type "enhancements" were disabled.

Ap

 

[fireberd]

You may want to try the free and popular Audacity recording program. Audacity also has audio edit capabilities and will allow you to add reverb, delay, and other effects to the signal.

AUDACITY

 

[highjumpharry]

So I tried audacity. The problem still exists unfortunately. The wave of the note just cuts of prematurely although it is more exaggerated with a higher pitched notes. This is frustrating for sure.

 

[Aphelion]

Good call on using Audacity!

So the waveform does cut off? before the note completely fades out.

Did you look for an Control Panel for the audio system.
Maybe it's built-in to the hardware, that would be a shame but not surprising as manufacturers will take it for granted that a piece of hardware is designed to be used one way (voice recording) and limit the options.

Basically... the Mic system has a built in Auto Gain Control with a cutoff to reduce noise.

Automatic gain control - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Usually called AGC

If the setting is anywhere it will be in the Custom Control panel for your Audio card.
Fish around and look for an AGC setting.

Ap

 

[highjumpharry]

Any idea where I would find that setting... I cant believe they would engineer it not to just record audio...

 

[Aphelion]

Any idea where I would find that setting... I cant believe they would engineer it not to just record audio...

Not familiar with that audio card.

Perhaps the Conexant driver configuration app is located in the taskbar. It's an application installed by the sound card driver. It's usually in Control Panel.

Or maybe it doesn't have one.

That's about all I can do, except to suggest trying an updated set of drivers, if there are any.

Ap

 

[Rash12]

i have something that might help you

Right click on the Microsoft speaker icon in the task bar, select recording devices.. Microphone should be in there
left click on "Microphone" and click "Properties"
go to the "Enhancements" tab and uncheck "Noise suppression"
i had the same problem and that fixed it