Audio Glitch While Recording Vocals

edited April 2011 in Support
The below email was sent to <!-- e --><a href="mailto:Support@intua.net">Support@intua.net</a><!-- e -->, a few minutes ago:

Hi Intua,

I have a copy of your Beatmaker 2 on my iPhone 4 (4.2.1). There are quite a few issues I have using it, but have learnt to cope with them until you update. 
I have been using music software for around 20 years now, so I have some idea about them. 

At the moment I have a track which is almost complete, apart from the vocals. This is because I get a glitch/audio drop out every 30 seconds whilst recording, (which is a big distraction and is heard in the recorded vocal/audio.  

This happens whether I go via the the Wave icon, (to the right of the mixer icon), or via the the Drum Machine's Record button. 

I tried using a new song with just a single backing track, (which I imported from my iPod library). I did this to eliminate any bad programing that may have occurred, but had the exact same thing happen. 
I have looked on the forums etc, no help. 

My phone is in good working order and I am able to record normally via other programs such as 'Nanostudio', which I was using before Beatmaker 2. But swicthed because of certain limitations at the moment..

It is possible for me to continue my track/s on my pc, using either Reason-Record or FL Studio, which I own copies of, but that is not what I want to do, as I bought my iPhone and Beatmaker 2 so I could do everything within the device. 

I do have vocals on the track plus backing vocals ad-libs etc but they lack some feeling because some focus was spend in anticipation of the glitch's...

As I mentioned they occure every 30 seconds not enough time to do a verse in this song. I am using the iPhone built in mic, (that is not important as the glitch is heard when nothing is said). IT IS WHILST IT IS IN AUDIO RECORD MODE AND RECORDING IT HAPPENS. 

Please can you tell me if anyone else has had this issue and also what can be done about it?

As I have said there are more issue which I can work around but need to be addressed, I can outline these later. 

I must also add that the Glitch is only for a fraction of a second and the time between them may vary. (not exactly 30 seconds, but there abouts).

Thanks in advance,

Love n Peace.

KING

Comments

  • edited 2:55PM
    Make sure your WiFi / 3G or whatever is off and use FreeMemory to kill all apps running in the background.
    Then if that dosn't help, you will have to paste your beat into 4 track or any other recorder!!!
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hi RevelaShaun68,

    Thanks for your reply and input into this matter.

    Yes I have already put the Device in 'Airplane' mode, (on more than one occasion), did not make any difference.

    My free memory is fine all other apps closed etc. Even though that being the case I took your Advice and purchased the app 'FreeMemory'. This has not made any difference either.

    I only have one i Device at the moment so can not make any external tests. In my original post I have asked if anybody else has experienced this. Some people never use certain fuctions, because they may not have a need to, such as digital instrumentalists. I have no idea what you do music wise, but is it possible you could test this out for me?

    If anyone records vocals could you let me know your results. I need to know if it is my Device or..

    Also as I said migrating the track to another app is do-able, (I have tried it b4, a bit long winded but do-able) only if I have to. I would Love to be able to say, 'I did it ALL in Beatmaker 2'. Migrating the track defeats the object don't you think.

    I don't want you guys to think I am stuck, (far from it), I just want to be able to use the progarm/app with all it's built in facilities. So please someone let me know if they have this issue.

    I do like this app alot, but I don't Love it, yet.
    I want to Love it.. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

    Love n Peace

    KING
  • edited 2:55PM
    I noticed the same audio glitch issue on my iPhone 4 4.3.1
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hi Fort,

    As I received this update I was doing some more experimenting. What I tried was importing a single track from my internal iPod, into a new song with just a Drum machine. Set the 'sample' to One Shot. Then pressed the pad not the play button and went into record mode.... Same thing <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( --> .So it happens whilst nothing else is playing.

    I had a reply from Intua via email this morning. They suggested setting the latency to high which I did, same result.
    I must also point out that this is short pause in the track, not a audio level drop, (which I could have dealt with).

    The only thing I am happy about with this now is that I am not alone. <!-- s:-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":-)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:-) -->
  • edited 2:55PM
    <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hello,
    I have recorded an entire song included vocal part (and 11 other tracks). I have also experienced this audio glitch, but, as I'm recording voices with headphones (and I suppose you do so), it's not a problem for me, and I don't understand why it is one for you. From my point of view, the audio glitch can not be audible as you record with headphones and the only sound that is entering into the builtin mic is your voice. The only issue for me is that sometimes it's disturbing to hear those audio glitch when you try to concentrate on your voice (or the guitar or other instrument you record in the same way).
    Maybe we're not talking about the same issue.
  • edited April 2011
    Hi NonoBM,

    Thanks for your reply,

    Yes! We are talking about the same thing. Note that this happens with of without the use of headphones, (and I do use them during the whole process whilst creating a track in my iPhone).

    You said the only issue for you is hearing those glitch's whilst trying to concentrate on your voice or any other external instrument..... My point exactly...

    I/we, (Digital Musicians), know if we were to play in some midi triggered sounds they could easily be edited, if played in incorrectly. Quantize, volocity, pitch, length etc etc. But not so easy with vocal, not in Beatmaker 2 anyways.

    For me personally the vocals require a lot more pricision and focus.
    Take for example a band on stage, if any of the skilled musicians play a wrong note, with skill they are able the cover it with other notes and tricks. Not so with the singer/s. Yes some can do it but it is a lot more difficult to cover. The same goes for recording vocals, once I hear that glitch it is a put off and some of them, (glitch's) are heard in the playback.

    Intua,

    I don't think we who are having this problem should have to suffer this for all our songs, now and in the future.

    It's like every hour the electricity in your home switches off and on again. You see the impact, that's how it feels because all my focus at that point is on my voice/vocals.

    This needs to be looked at on a more serious level. I for one am a paying customer, so please investigate and support.

    As you can now see it is an issue that is wider spread than once thought. The problem may be the Device and not Beatmaker 2, but at this point I have no way of finding out.

    Please look into this..

    Thanks!
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hi NonoBM,

    Just to be 100% sure can you let me know if there is a pattern to them, (30 seconds) or...

    Cheers!
  • edited 2:55PM
    I did not notice any pattern. It seems completly random to me. I think it's beginning when you have a lot of track (I mean more than 10) with effects etc. It seems to be linked to iPhone charge capacity.
  • edited 2:55PM
    Thanks for reply,

    Nah, with me it happens even when I only have one track, in a new song and no effect or anything else?

    Puzzling. <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->


    If anyone reading this has NOT had this problem could you also post. Thanks!

    Thanks again NonoBM, for your input. Could you elaborate on the iPhone charge capacity theory. Thanks!
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hi Fort,

    If possible could you also let us know a little more of what you have experienced.

    I'm looking to see differences if any.

    At the moment this the main problem I am having with Beatmaker 2. And the vocals are the icing.

    When my track is compete you will all hear it. ALL

    Thanks!
  • edited 2:55PM
    "KING&quot wrote:
    Thanks for reply,

    Nah, with me it happens even when I only have one track, in a new song and no effect or anything else?

    Puzzling. <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_confused.gif" alt=":?" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->


    If anyone reading this has NOT had this problem could you also post. Thanks!

    Thanks again NonoBM, for your input. Could you elaborate on the iPhone charge capacity theory. Thanks!


    Hello,

    Ouaw, even if you have only one track ??!! This is really strange! I'm not enough specialist to elabore a theory about iphone charge capacity, but I noticed that the problem occured at the same time that the song is growing up. And it seems logical. This is just a phone... <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> The problem is the same with Cubase or other soft like this on a PC, there is always a limit at the capacity.
    I did not notice your model device? iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4 ? Mine is iPhone 4.
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hi there,

    I think maybe what you are explaining is Random Access Memory?
    True all computers including phones have a limit, so the more apps, games, programs or whatever you are running will all take a %. With music software audio will take a lot as will effects etc.

    I like your phrase 'growing up' as the track takes on more n more stuff. But as I have tested it with only 1 single audio track, I am 100% sure it is not 'Ram' issues.

    Little tip for other forum topics where I see they are asking quetions such as, 'Why is my phone telling me about memory shortage when I have x amount of GB's free?'
    Ram and disk space are not the same. You could have a Ga-Zillion Giga Bites,(GB) free Hard Disk space, but once your Ram is used up, its used up. On iPhone 4 this is 512MB.
    Hard Disk is for long term storage Ram short. The Ram uses what it needs at the time accessing info very quickly, the more it accesses the harder it works. Once it has accesed it's capacity, (filled itself, like a glass of water) That's it, it can not hold/take anymore . That is where the problem is. If you stir the glass of water when it is half full it's fine, there is space. But when it is full it will spill. You can also look at the water in your tank or whatever as your Hard Disk. (Hope that helps someone, a better example maybe possible but this was the first one that came into my mind) <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

    Ok, back to the matter at hand.

    Yh, I am using iPhone 4, (4.2.1) and it is in new condition.

    Single track process:

    1: Select new song.
    2: Select 1 Drum Machine.
    3: Import or load a single audio sample onto 1 pad.
    4: Trigger pad with 'One Shot' setting.
    5: Access record via Rocord button on Drum Machine or via wave/sample button next to mixer button.
    6: Press Rec...
    7: Glitch every 30 seconds. <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->
    And..
    8: Stop recording, audio still playing but no Glitch/pause?


    Not sure if Intua are viewing the topic directly, sent them an email to begin with, had one reply, sent another, have had no further support. We all like things to work or to know why it's not. I will email them the link to this topic now.

    Cheer!
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hi!

    Thank you for all your inputs. We will be looking at this issue and will bring a fix for it in a next update.

    Cheers,
    Intua Team.
  • edited 2:55PM
    I think I must add at this point my compliments to Intua for such a wonderfull app.

    To be able to have a studio in the palm of my hands is a dream come true. And I am very grateful to all the great music programs, on the phone or pc/mac.

    I remember starting out with live bands in the studio's (no alternatives). Now it's one person band.

    Great stuff <!-- s:-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":-)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:-) -->
  • edited 2:55PM
    Wow! Like Magic.

    Folks as I submitted the compliment and my screen refreshed, Bam! There was the reply from Intau.

    I hope this is not just a standard reply sent out to comfort me/us? <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

    Anyway.

    Thanks for your reply Guys.

    I have only 2 questions:

    1: If you have a fix then you must no the problem. When you find out please let me know.

    2: Approximately when would this update be?

    To be honest I don't really expect you will be able to answer the latter, but if you don't ask. <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->
  • edited 2:55PM
    Hello,

    We're happy to let you know that the audio record glitch has now been fixed. The fix will be included in the next update (with native iPad compatibility and many other stuffs <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

    Cheers,
    Colin
  • edited 2:55PM
    Thanks Colin/Intua,

    Yes I/we are very happy to hear this news and that it is not our phones. Thanks for the reply and the fix - (when it comes). Would still Love to know what the issue was/is. Seems to me like some sort of interal clock with a 30 sec pulse. Anyways thanks again.

    I will wait until the main update before I mention anything else as that update may fix them, (We hope <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt=":)" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) --> )

    Cheers!
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