Why do I get noise in audacity when recording?

Question

When I playback with Cubase, the sounds are crystal clear and with no noise. Then I record with audacity using these settings:

The result has a background noise like the noise level in my studio is too high but there is not this noise level during playback so I wonder what is the matter.

I use a plexgear cheap usb soundcard, could that be the problem? But recording clearly has worked before, I suspect this is yet another cubase or audacity setting since those program are terrible with UX where everything can be on and off in addition to a level.

Can you help me? My gear is Roland TR-808, Mackie mixer and this software.

My soundcloud profil is www.soundcloud.com/niklasr where you can hear that some recording have to make background noise, why?

Answer 1

I would suggest you start by reading this article, which apart from giving you ideas, is also handy for education. http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/articles/computerproblems.htm

The signal noise on your soundcloud sounds like computer component noise. Are you setting your equipment levels correctly? Check this article on gain staging: http://www.basic-home-recording-studio.com/gain-staging.html

Try swapping the 808 and the Mackie with other combinations of equipment to make sure there's no ground loop or other interactions going on there.

Finally, if all else fails (and you REALLY need to get a demo/basic idea down ASAP): Run the volumes high from your equipment, but just low enough not to clip (distort at the soundcard input). Then when you've recorded your bits, run an expander/gate plugin on each instrument in Cubase/audacity to remove the noise floor.

My hunch is your gain staging is a bit out.