I decided to get a new cable to connect my electronic instruments to my computer to record directly into Audacity, since my old cable (3 ft I think) was too short and I had to play my instruments right next to the computer as a result. I got a 10 ft HOSA cable, same brand as my old cable. This is the exact model: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O36/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
When I started recording with the new cable, I noticed a little more background fuzz in the silent parts than normal, so sometimes I would switch back between the old cable and the new cable.
Now, Audacity won’t even record from EITHER cable anymore. When I press record, it lags and doesn’t show any soundwaves being recorded. I’ve tried checking all the recording outputs to make sure it’s the right one, and nothing works. I’ve been downloading new free audio software to see if I can make it work with them, and I can. I can record just fine with other softwares, but no longer Audacity. I want to be able to stick with Audacity, though, because I don’t know how to use the other ones and there’s more support for Audacity.
I just want to get back to recording as usual. Does anyone know how to help me?
Windows key. Click the Power button, hold SHIFT and click “Shut down” to do a full shut down.
USB devices do not record for ever without a “cold boot”. Audacity may be more susceptible to that than other applications, but make sure “Audio to buffer” in Recording Preferences is not too low. Default is 100 milliseconds.
10 feet may be a little long for a cable. 6 feet is often regarded as the maximum for a USB cable for audio purposes.
6 feet is often regarded as the maximum for a USB cable for audio purposes.
They make much longer cables, but they’re used for non-critical devices such as mice or keyboards. Would you even know that your mouse was skipping 1/32 of an inch every so often? That kind of error is deadly in audio.
I can record just fine with other softwares, but no longer Audacity.
Make sure you’ve selected the microphone input as your [u]Recording Device[/u] and if it doesn’t work, try a different Audio Hose option.
When I started recording with the new cable, I noticed a little more background fuzz in the silent parts than normal, so sometimes I would switch back between the old cable and the new cable.
As you probably know, longer guitar cables do tend to pick up more noise. But, 10 feet shouldn’t be problem so you might want to try a different/better cable that might have more shielding. A normal guitar cable (which should be well shielded) with an adapter-plug at the computer-end might work better, But, an adapter of this type is a bulky and heavy and it’s all supported by the little 3.5mm plug and socket.
Now… The mic input on a computer is (relatively) low impedance, whereas a guitar amp has in input impedance of about 1M Ohm. That low impedance will reduce the output from a (high-impedance) guitar pick-up and it will affect the tone. Also, the mic preamp built into a consumer soundcard is usually low quality. So although it may work, a mic input is the “wrong” interface for a guitar. Behringer makes an inexpensive [u]USB Guitar Interface[/u].
Also, the guitar amp is part of the guitar sound and a normal high-fidelity amp may not sound “right”. There are lots software guitar amplifier simulators (“amp sims”) for people who record direct and the Behringer includes an amp sim.
I’ve done everything suggested here, but it still won’t work. Audacity simply will not record anything, from any cable anymore, no matter whether it’s the new one OR the old one. And I know this is only an Audacity problem, since I can record with other softwares. I tried that “cold” boot, but I don’t think clicking SHIFT did anything. It was just a regular shut down. I have Windows 10.
Sorry that I assumed it was a USB cable despite you gave us a link.
A USB device with more appropriate inputs is somewhat preferred as Doug says, assuming you only have a mic input on the computer. Is that all you have? Or do you have a desktop with two inputs, one for mic and another for stronger line-in signals?
And is it an electric guitar you are recording, and/or keyboards? And for the guitar, are you recording from a guitar amp?
The SHIFT-click on Shut Down is very different from standard left-click Shut Down. The standard shut down gives you a fast start up when you power on again by storing your old kernel session and reusing it, including reusing all the old driver initializations that were running. It is well worth doing the SHIFT-Shut Down cold boot from time to time, even for standard non-USB computer inputs.
To get to the point that you cannot record into Audacity, are you sure that in Audacity’s Device Toolbar, you are choosing the correct Recording Device that you are connecting to? Please attach the information from Help > Audio Device Info… top right of Audacity so we can see your device choices. Please see here for how to attach files: https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/how-to-attach-files-to-forum-posts/24026/1
And did you check “Audio to buffer” in Audacity’s Recording Preferences? It is relevant to non-USB devices too.
Did this computer come with Windows 10? What is the computer make and model number? And what version of Audacity are you using (all three numbers, as given at Help > About Audacity…)?
If you installed Windows 10 on top of older Windows, you may have all kinds of audio problems unless you have correct manufacturer’s audio drivers for your computer sound device that are meant for Windows 10. Please see http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Windows_10_OS#drivers.
Audacity may be more susceptible to unsuitable Windows 10 drivers than other software, especially if you are using any Audacity version between 2.0.4 and 2.1.2. The next 2.1.3 version of Audacity should improve this.