For some reason, every time I try to playback an audio recording, it compresses the audio file into about half its recorded size. The speed and pitch are raised a lot and the recording sounds really bad. I haven't changed any speed settings and I don't know where to fix this. I just got this program today and I'm still figuring it out.

Eyalkai.... welcome....

Check Audio> options>general tab playback timing master=none sampling rate=41400 bit depth =16

see if that fixes it.

also...while you're at it.... tell us about your computer, speed, RAM, operating system, and the soundcard, plus any external equipment.

Everything is set like you specified except for the playback timing master. If I set it to none, i get no recording at all. The only other setting is Realtek HD Audio Output 1/2.
My computer is an Acer Aspire 5100. It has an AMD Turion TL-50 processor and 1G of RAM. I use Windows XP and a Realtek HD soundcard. The only external equipment I have is a CAD U1 USB microphone.

CAD U1 USB microphone

There's your problem. If you're recording with this mic, it is acting as a sound card and it may conflict with your onboard sound card. It may also sample at a different rate than MC.
You can try changing the driver mode to MME, close MC and re-open it, let the wave profiler run, but hardly anyone has ever gotten USB mics to work.
Have you got a regular mic to try out?

Thanks, I was starting to think it had something to do with the microphone. I do have the mic that's built into the computer. I'll try what you suggested, but I doubt I can get this mic to work.

usb mics are always problematic trying to get them to work with MC. try using the method that greg has mentioned. he's not talking about the built in mic, tho, he's talking about a non-usb mic like a radio shack mic or something.

57Gregy

CAD U1 USB microphone

There's your problem. If you're recording with this mic, it is acting as a sound card and it may conflict with your onboard sound card. It may also sample at a different rate than MC.
You can try changing the driver mode to MME, close MC and re-open it, let the wave profiler run, but hardly anyone has ever gotten USB mics to work.
Have you got a regular mic to try out?

YOU ARE A GENIUS!!! THIS WORKED ON THE LENGTH RECORDING WHICH GAVE ME HOPE OF NOT SOUNDING LIKE ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS.. BUT NOW THERE IS NO SOUND ON PLAYBACK. WHAT NOW. PLEASE HELP ME...

No, not a genius, just repeating what someone else said.
You will have to set each audio track's output to your sound card. The USB mic can get the sound in, but can't play it. There are some newer models with outputs, though.
What Cakewalk program are you using? Which version you have will determine where to look for how to change things in the program.
I don't think you'll be satisfied usung a USB mic and a stock sound card; too many problems with latency and synchronization.
And welcome to the forum.
 

57Gregy


No, not a genius, just repeating what someone else said.
You will have to set each audio track's output to your sound card. The USB mic can get the sound in, but can't play it. There are some newer models with outputs, though.
What Cakewalk program are you using? Which version you have will determine where to look for how to change things in the program.
I don't think you'll be satisfied usung a USB mic and a stock sound card; too many problems with latency and synchronization.
And welcome to the forum.
 

I am using sonar 6. if i set output to sound card is that in track property? which is the soundcard? cuz output options are like headphone, master, etc... am i looking at the right thing here? thank you for responding.

In an audio track when you click on the O (output) it should list all of the available outputs and/or all the outputs you have checked in the Options menu at the top; Options>Audio>Drivers.
Master is a bus, a stop on the audio signal path, but it's output should also be set to whatever output you're listening to.
Some modern computer sound cards won't show an output if there is nothing connected, like if there are no speakers connected to the speaker output or if there are no headphones plugged into the HP output. Select the output you do have something connected to.