Originally Posted by
HackSore
Try cubase or nuendo for recording if you can, pretty rugged programs.
We would like to try another program but we're flat broke, so other programs aren't really an option right now. Besides a million and one people use Ableton and have no problems, how could it be so popular if we're having so many problems with it?
As for the mic'd amp issue, you dont need an amp to be particularly loud to get a sweet sound for recording, cranking it up too much will definitely create clipping and other unwanted distortion.
One of the things is we can't turn down the Guitar amp because we use its high levels for natural distortion (it sounds a million times better than a distortion pedal).
Also, if you are running a DI or a mic into a mixer, then out into the recording device, try just DI'ing or mic'ing straight into the recording device and eq'ing within the program, see if it makes a noticable difference.
What has also jumped into my mind...you say you are using a generic usb recording device? do you have a soundcard/onboard sound in the system as well? as if you do its possible there is some sort of conflict going on.
If you have a soundcard try taking it out or disabling it in hardware profiles and see if it helps.
We'll have to try that, I could see that being the problem.
If none of these things help, use a diagnostics tool to check your hardware components, as a small fault could cause big problems with recording, especially if its a hard drive issue.