Hello, this is my first visit here.
I have the Audacity 2.0.5 version installed on my Windows 7 Vista laptop. I never had problems with the recording facilities before but now – particularly after having a new hard-drive fitted - I’m having all kinds of audio problems. Either the PC’s Sound Recorder records and Audacity will not or vice versa. When Audacity does record the wave form is very low, even with the volume set to maximum (which it never was previously). I have checked my systems sound levels and they are also on maximum! The other problem is this: when I record one track and return to record another, the first track duplicates ,even with the volume on my speakers turned off and headphones plugged in. I’m somewhat beleaguered – can any one help?
What does that mean? Are you dual booting Windows 7 with Windows Vista? They are different operating systems. If you are not dual booting please state if you have Windows Vista or 7.
Do you mean the Windows Sound Recorder or a program you have installed?
Particularly If you have reinstalled Windows or made system changes, I suggest you go to the web site of the computer or motherboard manufacturer. Download and install the audio driver that is meant for your particular computer model and version of Windows. If you have 64-bit Windows you need 64-bit drivers. See: Missing features - Audacity Support .
What exactly are you trying to record?
You have to choose the input you want to record in the third (input) box of Audacity’s Device Toolbar .
As above, you need to choose the correct input to record from. If you are recording overdubs, record from the input that has the microphone connected to it, not from what-U-hear or stereo mix which could cause the problem you describe.
What does that mean? Are you dual booting Windows 7 with Windows Vista? They are different operating systems. If you are not dual booting please state if you have Windows Vista or 7.
Hello, thank you.
Windows edition:
Windows Vista Home Premium
My limited knowledge of computers, sorry.
Particularly If you have reinstalled Windows or made system changes, I suggest you go to the web site of the computer or motherboard manufacturer. Download and install the audio driver that is meant for your particular computer model and version of Windows. If you have 64-bit Windows you need 64-bit drivers. See:> Missing features - Audacity Support > … ce_Drivers .
I have a Windows Sound Recorder but when it is activated I cannot record in Audacity. Several technicians have informed me that the correct drivers are installed; none have been able to account for the problem. I have a 32 -bit Operating System.
What exactly are you trying to record?
Live vocals and guitars through stand-alone microphone – never a problem in the past.
You have to choose the input you want to record in the third (input) box of Audacity’s Device Toolbar .
Yes, I know 1. Audio Host: MME 2. Output Device: Speaker (Realtek High Definition) 3. Stereo Mix (Realtek High Definition) and 2 Stereo (Imput Channels). If I select Microphone instead of Stereo Mix I get “Error While Operating Sound Device “window.
As above, you need to choose the correct input to record from. If you are recording overdubs, record from the input that has the microphone connected to it, not from what-U-hear or stereo mix which could cause the problem you describe.
Both Acer HD Audio Device Manager and Audacity appear to be correlating. Thank you for the links, I will check them out.
As long as you choose MME host in Audacity then generally, you should be able to record a separate stream in Audacity and Sound Recorder at the same time. Is there any reason you need to record two simultaneous streams in different programs? Are you trying to record stereo mix in Sound Recorder and simultaneously record the mic in Audacity?
Note that Windows Sound Recorder will record whatever is the current “Default device” on the “Recording” tab of Windows “Sound”. I suggest you read Missing features - Audacity Support to learn about configuring Windows “Sound”.
Restart Audacity to make sure Audacity sees the external mic.
If you still receive the error, set the Audacity project rate bottom left of the window to 44100 Hz. Set Audacity to record in mono (fourth box in Device Toolbar).
Go to Windows “Sound” (link above), choose the “Recording” tab, make sure the mic you want to record is connected and enabled, then right-click over it and choose “Properties”. Click the “Advanced” tab and make sure the “Default Format” is mono 16-bit 44100 Hz. This will be the most “compatible” choice assuming this is a mono mic, but you also want to check out the latest audio drivers for your computer model from the computer manufacturer’s web site (assuming you have a branded computer like Dell, HP or Lenovo).
No. I don’t need Windows Sound Recorder to work - only Audacity as it can multi-track. My system is an Acer Aspire 6930 - all drivers have been updated, audio configured and defaulted correctly. I have looked at the Project Rate rate which is 44100 HZ - reset Input channels to Mono. Followed all instruction, thank you. The problems still persist (as before) mainly duplication of first recording when I try to record another track. I am familiar with Audacity settings and various pc’s Recording Devises, having used them to create musical video over the last 2/3 years but never had this problem before.
“Stereo Mix” will record everything that is playing through the sound card, including previous tracks that are playing in Audacity. You need to select the input that corresponds to your microphone.
Did you look in the Windows Sound Control Panel? Is your microphone listed and enabled? If it is then you should be able to select it as the recording input in the device toolbar. If it is not enabled in the Sounds Control Panel then you need to fix that. Audacity can only record from devices that are recognised by the operating system and working.
“Stereo Mix” will record everything that is playing through the sound card, including previous tracks that are playing in Audacity. You need to select the input that corresponds to your microphone.
Yes Steve. Having to ask myself if I’m speaking English here…The microphone is selected.
Did you look in the Windows Sound Control Panel? Is your microphone listed and enabled? If it is then you should be able to select it as the recording input in the device toolbar. If it is not enabled in the Sounds Control Panel then you need to fix that. Audacity can only record from devices that are recognised by the operating system and working.
Microphone listed/selected/enabled (green tick thing). I can use the mic in Audacity but not other programs that require the microphone, e.g. Sound Recorder. As said my main concern is that the recordings are very low, even with the recording value set at 100% I use headphones when adding further tracks BUT the first track always duplicates making it impossible to hear the new track clearly.
Your laptop probably has an internal microphone. Are you sure you have enabled the external microphone in Windows Sound and you have selected that external microphone in Audacity? You called it a “stand-alone” microphone. As such we are assuming it connects to the pink or possibly black audio input on the computer.
What is the make and model number of the stand-alone mic?
Does your laptop have a separate audio input port, or does it have one port which is for both input and output?
You can use in Sound Recorder whatever input is set as Default in Windows Sound, and that is your only choice.
If Sound Recorder is actually recording the correct mic, then you can select the same input that Sound Recorder is using by choosing “Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input” in the input box in Audacity Device Toolbar.
It is probably the same issue - you are not recording from the stand-alone mic.
Are you sure you have enabled the external microphone in Windows Sound?
Yes “Sound” shows it is enabled.
…and you have selected that external microphone in Audacity?
That is interesting… I’m not familiar with that particular setting - where do I find it? And will it resolve the duplication issue?
You called it a “stand-alone” microphone. As such we are assuming it connects to the pink or possibly black audio input on the computer.
That is correct - the pink audio input.
What is the make and model number of the stand-alone mic?
It is a simple Technika stand alone mic with pink jack plug. I have no clue as to model number.
Does your laptop have a separate audio input port, or does it have one port which is for both input and output?
My Aspire 6930 has 3 jack plug inputs for Audio 1. mic (pink) 2. headphones/speakers (green) 3. ATAPI Internal (blue)
There are no other audio inputs I know of.
If I remove the external mic and try to record then there is nothing.
Can you tell me why the recording duplicates when I try to add another track? If that problem can be addressed at least something will have been resolved.
I’ve just noticed something else… VARY strange. If I open Audacity, click the Record button and play something from Windows Media Player or any other facility like Youtube it records directly. While I can see advantages in that, what does this now say about my setting?
Either you are not using headphones so the microphone is picking up sound from the speakers, or you still have “Stereo Mix” selected in the device toolbar, or there is a problem with your sound card drivers causing it to record “Stereo Mix”.
Have you set the recording input in the device toolbar to the Microphone option? If not, please do so.
In Audacity, you have to choose an input in the third box of Device Toolbar .
However I think you should go into Windows Sound and make sure it actually shows the external mic. If “Sound” does not show the external mic then Audacity won’t list it in Device Toolbar.
Following Missing features - Audacity Support, right-click over the speaker icon by the system clock, then choose “Recording Devices”. Right-click anywhere inside the Recording tab, which shows you a menu. If they are not already checked (ticked), click to put a checkmark in “Show Disabled Devices” then right-click again and click to put a checkmark for “Show Disconnected Devices”.
How many microphones do you see now? If the external microphone has now appeared, right-click over it and choose “Enable”. Right-click over it again and choose “Set as Default Device”. Write down on paper what the external mic is called.
Now restart Audacity. In Device Toolbar, in the third (input) box, choose the external mic by selecting the name of the input that you wrote down on paper.
If that still does not help, please list the exact names of the devices you see in the Recording tab in “Sound”, or attach an image of the “Recording” tab. To capture an image of the Recording tab, hold ALT on your computer keyboard and press PrtScr. Open Paint. Edit > Paste. Save as a PNG file. Attach the image. Please see here for how to attach files: https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/how-to-attach-files-to-forum-posts/24026/1 .