Distortion and dropouts when capturing audio from USB connected turntable

[mericso]

My Audition build is 24.0.0.46. I run Windows 10 Home N version 22H2, build 19045.3570.  Processor:  Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz RAM: 32 GB (26 GB available for Adobe apps.).  My system disk is a 1TB SSD (i.e. 893 GB, 545 GB free).  

I use Audition for digitalizing vinyl records from a Numark USB turntable into waveform audio files.  (USB Audio CODEC driver version 10.0.19041.1 date: 06.12.2019).  My issue is as follows:  From time to time the recordings are distorted for fractions of a second followed by a somewhat longer fraction of silence (like a "dropout" for as long as 0.3 seconds but usually much shorter), then a very short fration of distortion before everything runs fine again.  These glitches occur perhaps 10 times during a 40 minute recording but there is no regularity as to when the error may occur. It can happen every few seconds or several minutes can pass between each occurrence.

Anyone got a clue? 

[mericso]

I switched to build 23.6.1.3 and the error  does (so far) not occur with that version. Are we talking about a bug?

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

We might be, but not necessarily in Audition... there are a lot of other things you have to rule out first. Are you recording in Waveform or Multitrack view?

[mericso]

Waveform

[mericso]

Oooops!  Guess I jumped to a conclusion - the wrong one.  It just happened again in build 23.6.1.3.  This is what it looks like:  

[Richard M Knight]

Could we have a screen shot of your Audio Hardware Settings.

[mericso]

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

If it's waveform, this looks far more likely to be a 'disturbed' write to the temp file. Since by default the temp file is situated in a place where the OS has direct access to the directory, it's vulnerable to being interrupted. The thing to do is to create a new folder for it, ideally on a separate drive where writes to it can't be disturbed. The other thing you can do is what's recommended anyway - use Multitrack view for recording. The huge difference is that this is direct to file, and can't be disturbed in the same way as recording to a temp file in Waveform can be.

So probably you should do both!

[Richard M Knight]

Do you have the option to use an ASIO driver?

You could also try increasing the latentcy.

[mericso]

Thanks for your replies guys.  This comes as a reply to you both .  

I've changed cache file drive to another drive.  This had to be a RAID5 drive on my computer as I don't have a spare drive at hand.  I also tried to make recordings in multitrack mode in combination both with and without the new cache settings.  Made no difference. 

I tried to switch to ASIO drivers but the propietary driver that comes with my Terratec external sound card does not support the USB turntable, only the ports on the sound card itself.  I downloaded ASIO4ALL but when trying implement it both version 23 and 24 hangs.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

Having had another careful look at your discontinuity, I have to say that there is a distinct possibility that this is a hardware glitch in the turntable. There is signal continuity throughout it - suggesting that the connection is fine but what it's trying to transmit isn't. Do you have access to another machine you can try the TT and its USB connection on?

[mericso]

I'll give it a try.  

At the same time I would like to point out that the problems seems to have started some time after some Windows Updates that were installed (automatically) during October.  

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

I would have thought that if M$ managed to do an update that effectively messed around with a USB connection, a few more people would have been complaining by now...

None of these things are impossible though - it's just a matter of keeping an open mind and noting carefully what the symptoms are.

[mericso]

Hi guys!
Finally back.  I've been busy doing a lot of other things but I tried all of your suggestions, i.e. I have tried out all of your suggestions.  I've changed interfaces, cables, PC, drivers, settings, etc., but it seemed that the problem could not be solved. In the end I concluded that the turntable itself had to cause trouble. I tried to change the pickup cartridge but the error did not disappear. Then I took the best state of the art cartridge I own and systematically changed the stylus pressure, antiskating settings, etc. and suddenly everything works perfectly!
This is embarrassing. The error had nothing to do with either Adobe Audition, Windows or the hardware at all.
I apologize for wasting your time, but I am truly grateful for your commitment.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

If you read my previous reply carefully - as in "There is signal continuity throughout it - suggesting that the connection is fine but what it's trying to transmit isn't", you'll note that this is rather what I was hinting at - admittedly with no actual proof at the time...

Anyway, thanks for reporting back.