Politely asking Defiant for help with iMic problem

So, dear Defiant, the problem is the following: when recording sound (especially long stretches of it) I tend to get clicks and pops in the recording (i.e. little pieces of the sound are dropped).

When trying to troubleshoot the problem, I come up logically with the following possible answers:

- Griffin says there might be an issue with the powering on the USB bus of some comps, causing for interference. This however, I tend not to believe, as they propose a cure in updating to the latest version of the OS (9.2!), and I apparently am a few years ahead technologically-wise (early 2002 iBook 600, 14.1 ", OS 10.2.1).

- It might be the software I am using. Sound Studio actually does a worse job than 500k pieces of freeware like Audio In. Felttip announces version 2.0.7 of their nice software (Sound Studio) for this friday, and claim this will address an issue causing clicks and pops in recording (!). I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Said Audio In does better, and it might be because you are allowed to specify an immense buffer (200 MEGS and more). The problem: once you are at the end of the buffer, the app literally vomits the buffer onto your RAM, effectively stalling the comp during (depending on buffer size) 10 to 30 or more seconds, during which your recording, at best, is a wheezing tone, at worst, is not there at all. Unacceptable.
The best for now is Audiocorder X. I haven't heard anything but an occasional click.
Yet all this is unacceptable, especially since I can literally cram my HD on an old beige G3 to overflowing with perfect sound, and this G3 was built, when, in '96 or '97?

- It might be a problem with the OS, or with the comp being too slow (although that would be unacceptable, especially in view of the above G3 situation).

The reason for my annoyance: I had half a mind to buy a new TiBook, just to have a silly audio in. I am very angry at Apple for dropping this, as it is one of the things I use my Mac for most. Now I already shell out the cash, much against my will, and I get this. I have never before contemplated leaving Mac, but I am sure if this issue doesn't get solved, I'm gonna lose my right mind...

So, Defiant and/or others, can you help me?

[quote]Originally posted by Defiant:
<strong>head, Final Vinyl 0.7 came out today:

try that.

oh and could this be a problem ?:

[ 11-01-2002: Message edited by: Defiant ]</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'll try the first one (although I don't like the interface they've given that gruesome thing one bit.

The mic switch isn't a problem (I believe that only causes volume problems).

neutrino23: what comp and setup do you use (an imic and ibook?)?
I did a clean install of Jaguar, actually, somewhere in September I think, so ... (I did horrible things to my system since then though ... I appear to like things rough).

I'll just sit it out. Maybe I'll get to buy a fast firewire drive, and record to that (which should be okay, I guess).

Thanks Defiant for keeping a lookout.

(final vinyl however doesn't give me good results, at all).

I saw, in the video 'power of X', that the audio structures in OS X extensively use Altivec acceleration, which, as you would probably believe, is not present in a G3 ibook.

Maybe this is an issue?

Defiant, you are a maclover with all the positive character-streaks of a bulldog, especially the fact that you never let off.

(if it came over wrong, that's a compliment).

No, griffin actually advises to use a powered USB-hub when having clicks and pop (for there might be a problem with poweredness).

However, I don't use any hub (and am not inclined to shell out more cash to get one - I have only two usb devices - imic and camera - and I never use them at the same time, which leaves my two usb ports rather unused.

Maybe I should try recording again now, after all, I upgraded my system to 10.2.2 (and did a clean install). and have some nice new software (kudos to defiant
). And can resort to Classic.

I will have a go tomorrow (record an hour uninterrupted -leaving my ibook alone). and tell y'all how it goes.

Well, I guess my first try should lead me to the phrase: no dice.

Clicking and popping like there's no tomorrow.

However, I haven't yet tried the iMic Driver, and I used Sound Studio, which has always given the worst result (at least in my current situation). Audio Hijack seems to be for some other purpose (hijacking audio produced by another program, as a web browser, or RealOne Player, ...)

I should also try in Classic, but by now, I'm getting a bit... frustrated. I'm slowly starting to come up with schemes to upgrade to a newer PowerBook (with Audio In!). Alas... no good deals in sight yet.

The sad thing is that now, I just don't bother recording anymore, whereas I know I might regret it later (some shows go on to become classics...).

I have thought of this too, with fear and all. Anyhow, this seems to be contradicted by the fact that some apps achieve notably better with the imic than others. I might also give it a try on an old beige G3.

At least, for now, I think the problem is software (mac os x in particular - I mean, you gave the link to that mac troubleshooting place yourself: they do seem to have a problem). In second place, I'd see this ibook underperforming.

Look what I just found in software update:

The Carbon Sound Manager Update improves reliability and performance of some applications that access Carbon Sound Manager.


Maybe this might mean something... Installing now.

Well, today, for the first time since three or four months, I got the courage together to try recording again (what with the two or three system updates, the audio update, and Sound Studio update -to 2.1- ). I am pleased to say that I managed a thirty minute recording without a single one of those annoying clicks. Hooray!

The only issue is a bit of noise on the background, but that might be my radio. In any case, it does not bother me at all, as it is, at least, a 'natural' artifact.

Talk about a follow-up.