OK–I hope this is something simple to fix, but I can’t find the solution after 2 days of searching the forum/internet/FAQ. I appreciate in advance the community’s support and effort to bring this software to the public. I hope my issue helps others with similar problems.
I use Audacity to record guitar multi-track overdubs. I have been using v1.2.6 with success (the exact same setup/inputs, etc. work as expected/intended), but have not been able to playback or record since upgrading to v2.0.0 (audacity-win-2.0.exe). I can generate a click track for example, but this will not playback and I get the following (similar error message if trying to record first as well) when trying to hear playback:
Audacity Error Message:
“Error while opening sound device. Please check the output device settings and the project sample rate.”
Also, after trying to play track in Audacity, system sound no longer works until restart. Windows audio settings sound test no longer works, Error Message: “Failed to play test tone”
I have tried implementing the various advice found (e.g. http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/User:PeterSampson/FAQ_for:_Error_while_opening_sound_device) with no success. I’ve tried things like: matching the sample rate/bit depth in Audacity preference with Sound/Recording Properties; using Windows Directsound vs. MME; choosing the correct Speaker and Microphone inputs.
I have been able to restore functionality by only uninstalling v2.0.0 and reverting to v1.2.6, but I would prefer to use v2.0.0 for the latency correction option not available in v1.2.6 (as well as the many other features).
Thanks again for all your help! I’m hoping that someone has seen this before and it’s just a matter of getting the magic combinations of settings checked on/off. I just can’t seem to find a winner. Please let me know if you’d like any additional information about my setup, and I will update the OP. I will also will maintain a log of suggesting settings and outcomes.
Computer Details
Dell Studio 1535 Laptop
Windows Vista HP v6.0 SP2
Soundblaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro (USB Soundcard)
- Driver Version = 1.2.60.0
- Driver Date = 2/15/2011 (Latest)
SoundPlayback:
Speaker (Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro) Working, Enabled, Default
PropertiesAdvanced:
Default Format: 16 bit, 48000 Hz (Test Works with this and other higher settings)
Exclusive Mode:
[Yes] Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
[Yes] Give exclusive mode applications priority
SoundRecording:
Microphone (Fender Mustang 1 amplifier, direct USB in to computer, Fender ASIO driver), Working, Enabled
Default Format: 2 channel, 16 bit, 44100 Hz
Exclusive Mode:
[Yes] Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
[Yes] Give exclusive mode applications priority
Audacity
PreferencesDevices:
- Interface Host: MME
- Playback Device: Speaker (Sound Blaster X-Fi Sur)
- Recording Device: Microphone (Fender Mustang)
- Recording Channels: 1 (Mono)
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Log of suggesting settings and outcomes: