The interface I am using is a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB interface. I can record with it with audacity on my laptop, but not on my desktop for some reason. When I have my interface plugged in and I try to run audacity, it just doesn’t load. Then if I unplug it, boom audacity is up and running. And if i plugged it back it and I try to record, it crashes. It shows the focusrite interface as the recording device but won’t record because it crashes. The main thing I don’t understand why my laptop is just fine with audacity and my interface but my desktop is not.
Did you install ASIO drivers on your desktop machine?
Audacity is distributed without ASIO support (due to licensing restrictions) so it must use Windows drivers for the Focusrite Scarlett and not ASIO drivers. If Audacity is trying to access the Focusrite Scarlett via ASIO drivers it won’t work.
So what can I do to fix this? I’m kind of new to this stuff so sorry if I seem stupid. What happens differently on laptop than my desktop with my drivers, and how do I solve the issue?
That was a question. Could that be the difference between the desktop and the laptop?
I’m sorry I installed the drivers on both computers from the disc that I got from the interface. I’m assuming those might be asio drivers?
Try resetting the preferences for Audacity on the Desktop machine.
To do that, run the installer and in the “Select Additional Tasks” screen, put a check in the “Reset Preferences” box. Complete the installation.
I did what you suggested, and audacity will load but now it will crash when I select the recording device as my interface.
I have MME, Speakers, and the Focurite interface on both machines.
Do you have the same version of Windows on both machines?
Do you have the same anti-virus / security programs on both machines?
Check in the Windows Sound Control Panel to see if the settings are the same on both machines.