Recording Problems G4/echomia/live2 Help!, sounds distorted but levels are good Options

[DJ HiRez]

I am new to computer-audio and I'm having trouble recording.

I have a G4 733/1.5 GB ram/ 12 GB free on hard disk. I am running Ableton Live 2.0 with an Echo MIA soundcard (prev model w/o MIDI cable). I am recording continuous DJ mixes from my turntables and Korg KM-2 mixer. During the mix, distortion starts very faintly and builds until it overwhelms the music. Then all the sudden it goes away. Strange thing is I attempted to record the same mix twice, and the sound went bad on the same songs. It's not likely to do with a particular song right???

I've read something about a Mac radiation issue? Is this what I'm experiencing? Is an external sound card the answer and if so which one??

[jklimeck]

OK, try these things

First you want to start elimnating what is not the problem

do you have access to a firewire audio device, or can you record thru the built in audio jack on the back of thee G4

How is the gain going into the Echo card from your mixer the gain can not be too hot, and do you have a way to monitor the level from your mixer, that level is important, can not have peaks or you will just be recording distortion.

Have not used Ableton, but check the input levels on Ableton

I would look into getting a better audio card at some point, if you want to go with a PCI, maybe an M-Audio card with the latest OS X drivers, I am assuming you are on OS X, 10.2.6, I believe Ableton is OS X only.

I am a big MOTU advocate, MOTU 896, Firewire, the new 828 mkII is great also, a built in digital 20 input mixer, DP 4 for OS X, yeah I realize these cost money but it is really the way to go.

I used to work for Apple (final cut pro) and I do professional pro audio / video consulting in the Bay aree (California), A Power Mac G4 / G5 with MOTU stuff is the the way to go.

It does not sound like it is your Mac or OS 10 install, but that is always a possibility. I always do a Clean Install, re-format hard drives (back up all data) of OS 10.2.6, your host audio app and drivers, try that and do a simple record, if distrtion is still coming in, then I don't believe its the Mac or the OS, its your input signal chain, make this very simple and clean or it is your Echo card, maybe the drivers or a bad card.

Feel free to chat with me e-mail, iChat, jklimeck@mac.com

[jklimeck]

Also....

Yes, it can be the song, the leves can be too hot.

Try a recording something else out a CD player, something that has good clean sound, where you know the source is clean. If it does not distort you know it was your song / source as the problem.

If the track has distortion in it, then of course you will record distortion, very important.

Try a different song, or if you have access to a compressor /limiter, try hooking that up in between your mixer and audio card, and adjust the levels. The limiter will not allow the signal to (clip / distort).


you can just monitor the level when you are recording, if the levels are jumping all over the place, then a compressor limiter would be a good idea, or just turn down the level.