Help!!

[levvis]

Hey, I've been posting in numerous forums about this problem and cannot come up with a solution, hopefully you guys can help me out.

Firstly, I use the dj-tech hybrid 202 (kontrol one's and djm 202 mixer) on traktor pro. I run these through a quality self powered logitech usb hub to my 2ghz intel core 2 duo macbook (2gb ram, 160gb HD).

The problem I'm having is during recording. I've been testing and testing and testing for like 2 weeks now trying to pinpoint the problem. During a mix, completely randomly it seems, the recording will become and stay completely distorted. I've tried changing the master gain in traktor, the channel gains, the gains in audacity (and the traktor recording agent), I've tried using two separate usb hubs for the mixer USBs and kontrol one USBs, I can't think of anything else to try (might have left some out).

In traktor i've got my recording settings to the external mixer and the source to channel B (seems that A and B produce the same).

I run an RCA from my master output to speakers and an RCA from record out to my line in on my computer.

Lately I feel like i'm getting closer to figuring it out. Sometimes it'll happen when in the middle of mixing tracks. at first I though this was due to clipping, but it has happened sometimes where the gain is all the way down.
It's also happened when I've been using an on-board effect on the mixer. No matter what though, it doesn't happen by itself (I think). I've always been doing something and then it will mess up.

I've noticed a couple of times that when I hit the fx button on my mixer i'll hear a little pop or something. Maybe that could be it, but today I recorded a whole heap of tracks while messing around with the effects and cranking them hard on and off and the recording was fine..

My thinking is maybe soundcard issues? Maybe due to connection via a usb hub? (Haven't been able to test it on a computer with 4 ports).

Should I be doing something different? Please help I am completely at my whits end here and can't think of anything else to try..
Cheers

[kaleaf]

Its only when recording? Is your HD full? Maybe try your hub on a diferrent ubs port and let it reinstall your sound card on a different port use the ones on the back of the pc if possible.

[levvis]

Hey, my hd has about 90 gb free. I changed the port and it seemed like it was coping better but then when mixing a heavier song it went distorted again. Also yes it's only distorted when recording, I don't even hear any distortion through the speakers.

My macbook only has 2 ports on the side, none at the back. Any other ideas? I've contacted the manufacturer but they're horribly slow with everything.

Is the routing correct on this? record out to line in on my computer? There doesn't seem to be much information around for mixers with built in sound cards. I was thinking yesterday that maybe I should be routing the outputs from channel 1 and 2 into my computer? No idea.

Any help would be great.
Cheers

[levvis]

Common peoples i've had mad views! any suggestions welcome!

[mmauve]

Have you considered trying a different controller?, what version of Traktor do you have?, have you ran hardware diagnostics on your laptop?

[levvis]

Hey I haven't got another controller to test it on. I use a traktor pro 1.2.1. I'll run the diagnostic deal tonight as I think it's supposed to take a few hours and post the results.

Is there a way to rout the mixer to send the recording through the soundcard directly into traktor? Or is it impossible to record without line in?
Cheers

[levvis]

Also, I've just looked this up about my line in. I use a 24 bit digital mixer with built in sound cards, from my understanding there should be no problem for recording through this input?

Audio line in/optical digital audio in port

Connect your MacBook to a line-level microphone or optical digital audio equipment. The Audio In port accommodates both optical digital audio input and analog audio input.

Analog line and optical digital audio input is accepted through a 3.5mm mini phone jack which does not provide power to a connected device, so you must use self-powered peripherals. The sound input jack accepts line-level stereo signals up to 24-bit stereo 44.1-192kHz sampling rate. It also accepts a stereo miniplug-to-RCA cable adapter for connecting stereo equipment to the computer.

Optical digital audio input is S/PDIF format and uses a standard Toslink cable with a Toslink mini-plug adapter, accepting up to 24-bit stereo and 44.1-96kHz sampling rate.

[mmauve]

Why are you using Traktor Pro 1.2.1 when it's on version 1.2.4?.

[sj03w4t]

Thats not the point, mmauve.
Have you tried connecting speakers to the recording output of the sound card? Maybe the distortion is not caused by your pc but by an error in your device..

[mmauve]

Thats not the point, mmauve.
Have you tried connecting speakers to the recording output of the sound card? Maybe the distortion is not caused by your pc but by an error in your device..

Do explain how updating a core component in a digital DJ setup is not part of any point when it comes to troubleshooting.