Garageband Settings, Optimal settings for recording voice Options

[mikesum]

Hi all,
When I first used GB I was blown away by the recording quality - so clear and true.
Now, some six months later, I'm getting vibration and some distortion.
Can this be due to Mac updates?

I've also heard that if you have other audio programs on, e.g. Skype, this can affect recording, so I've closed Skype but that too seems to have marginal effect.

I've tried changing the settings but this doesn't seem to make the recordings (my voice and mp3 accompaniment) any better.

Can anyone help?

[triads]

Here's a quick check:
Open an earlier project that you know is good. Output that project to MP3 and compare it with your previous MP3. If they sound the same, you don't have a problem with GB. If they are different you have a problem somewhere, but not necessarily in GB. You may have changed your setups. It would be helpful to hear what it is you're describing.

I don't know how Skype could infiltrate your tracks unless you have accepted Skype as a midi input. Also check your inputs, i.e., HDMI or FW or other USB devices. Go in and out of GB and see how many inputs turn on when the program first initializes. I don't know your setup but you should know how many inputs you should have.

Hope this helps and let us know what you find.

[mikesum]

Here's a quick check:
Open an earlier project that you know is good. Output that project to MP3 and compare it with your previous MP3. If they sound the same, you don't have a problem with GB. If they are different you have a problem somewhere, but not necessarily in GB. You may have changed your setups. It would be helpful to hear what it is you're describing.

I don't know how Skype could infiltrate your tracks unless you have accepted Skype as a midi input. Also check your inputs, i.e., HDMI or FW or other USB devices. Go in and out of GB and see how many inputs turn on when the program first initializes. I don't know your setup but you should know how many inputs you should have.

Hope this helps and let us know what you find.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm away for a few days, but I'll let you know the outcome.

[mikesum]

[quote name='mikesum' date='Sat 30 Apr 2011, 09:06' post='319182']
[quote name='triads' post='319179' date='Sat 30 Apr 2011, 06:37'] Go in and out of GB and see how many inputs turn on when the program first initializes. I don't know your setup but you should know how many inputs you should have./quote]

Triads, not sure what you mean by that.
I did what you suggested concerning the two mp3 files and although as far as I can see, the settings are the same, there's definitely a big difference in the sound output.
The recordings I made a few months ago are completely free of any distortion. The red signals indicating unduly high recording levels, present in the 'noisy' recordings, are completely absent from these earlier recordings.

It's as though the later recordings lack some kind of filter. As soon as you key in R to record, this undesirable quality becomes apparent.

[houstonmusic]

it would be good to know what hardware you're using. do you have an audio interface? or do you record your voice with the built in mic?
not to be very simple, but do you understand the concept of 'gain staging?' each of your input and output level controls must be set at a best level. that level must keep the signal moderated to avoid 'clipping', the red levels you're getting.
on the mac, and in GB, there are several places that takes place.
if you're using the built in mic, cx the audio midi settings for the input level.
a hardware interface will have knobs, and perhaps a virtual control panel.
GB itself has several level faders for output, track and master, as well as the option to 'normalize' the signal on bounce down. cx those as well. none of them should be too high. perhaps a good test would to be bring them all down and see what happens.
finally, perhaps something did creep into GB. short of wiping and reinstalling, at least trash the prefs for the program, located in your drive>library>preferences folder. just drag the com.apple.garageband prefs to the trash, empty the trash, and restart GB.
good luck. persist!