Error While Opening Sound Device After Upgrade from v1.2.6

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

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)

===
Log of suggesting settings and outcomes:

2

Ensure that the sound card is fully connected before you open Audacity.

What settings do you have in:

  1. Edit menu > Preferences > Devices
  2. Edit > Preferences > Quality

Could you also list the alternative (not selected) option on the “Preferences > Devices”.

3

@1251division
Please don’t change the content of an earlier post as it makes it impossible to follow the flow of the conversation.
If you have new or updated information to add, please post that information in a new reply.

4

Got it. Learned that the hard way as I couldn’t return to the post and fix it until the edit was approved. Requested info forthcoming below. Thanks for your help.

5

Try setting Audacity to 48 kHz so that it matches the Windows setting.
If that does not work, try setting both to 44100.

6

Were you on Vista when you had 1.2.6? If yes, I doubt it’s a settings problem because 2.0 would take the 1.2 settings where there was a comparable setting.

If you are ticking the “Exclusive” boxes in Windows, it’s better to choose “DirectSound” host in Audacity then it will communicate directly with the device(s).

You could also try initialising 2.0.0 settings (so ignoring 1.2 settings) thus:
http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Preferences#stored

but I would not be optimistic. A few people are finding they cannot play or record in 2.0.0 when they could in previous versions (all reports are of SoundBlasters, where we know). SoundBlasters are fairly buggy. They should not stop playing just because Audacity tried and failed.

Have you tried recording in stereo (set Windows to stereo too)?

Audacity doesn’t support ASIO out-of-the-box. Can you try disconnecting that USB mic, restart Audacity and record from some other input? Did you use that mic in 1.2.6?

If none of that helps can you try 1.3.12 ( http://audacity.googlecode.com/files/audacity-win-unicode-1.3.12.zip ) ? From 1.3.13 onwards we used a later version of the PortAudio Audio I/O interface.


Gale

7

To answer Steve’s previous questions above: I have ensured the soundcard is plugged in, and active (tested and works with iTunes/YouTube, etc.).

*Updated Settings
PreferencesDevices:

  • Interface Host: Windows DirectSound
  • Playback Device: Speaker (Sound Blaster X-Fi Sur)
  • Recording Device: Microphone (Fender Mustang)
  • Recording Channels: 1 (Mono)

PreferencesQuality:
Sampling

  • Default Sampling Rate: 48000 Hz (48000 greyed-out)
  • Default Sample Format: 16-bit
    Real-time Conversion
  • Sample Rate Converter: Fast Sinc Interpolation
  • Dither: None
    High-quality Conversion
  • Sample Rate Converter: High-quality Sinc Interpolation
  • Dither: Triangle

I didn’t quite find what you asked for in Audacity when you said:

Could you also list the alternative (not selected) option on the “Preferences > Devices”.

But I suspect you meant the Windows Settings:

Windows Speaker Properties:
Advanced [Tab]
Default Format Options:

  • 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality) <–Lowest and Current Sample Rate
  • 16 bit, 96000 Hz (Studio Quality)
  • 24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)
  • 24 bit, 96000 Hz (Studio Quality)

Now here’s where it is getting interesting: I have discovered that system sound stops working immediately once Audacity is opened. For example, I have a YouTube video playing to verify sound works, then I pause it. Next, I open Audacity, after the splash screen, I switch back to YouTube window, the video will no longer play, and there is no sound from the computer. I tried the same thing in iTunes, but starting a song before opening Audacity 2.0.0, and the music continued, and to my (pleasant) surprise, I was able to hear a generated click track–with no error message! I restarted the computer to try to repeat the same thing–with iTunes, and I got the error again. I tried to recreate again what I was doing prior to it working, seemingly random things like having Firefox open, going into the Windows Sound Settings, then opening iTunes, playing the song, opening Audacity. It worked again, but I tried to recreate a third time, and haven’t been able to get it to work in the last 10 tries or so. Frustrating! But I REALLY appreciate your help and support!

I did notice that the two times it did work, the first time I noticed a quick pop-up that said something about “Scanning for VST Plugins,” and the 2nd time, Audacity seemed to open very quickly, whereas it normally takes between 10 and 30 seconds to open (is this normal?).

Also, I am using my computer on a non-admin account if that may have something to do with it? I’m guessing it is some sort of driver or system incompatibility.

Gale–Next steps for me are to digest your post and try to implement. Since I’ve had mild success, I’m *hoping that we’ll get v2.0.0 working. Thanks again!

8

Testing Log:

Windows SoundSpeaker PropertiesAdvanced:
Default Format: 16 bit, 48000 Hz (DVD Quality)
Exclusive Mode:
[Y] Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
[Y] Give exclusive mode applications priority

  • (Mic) Fender Mustang amp unplugged from computer

Audacity SettingsDevices:
Project Rate: 48000 Hz
Windows DirectSound
Primary Sound Driver
Primary Sound Capture Driver
1 (Mono) Input Channel

Audacity SettingsQuality:
Default Sample Rate: 48000 Hz (48000 Greyed-out)
Default Sample Format: 16-bit

Trial 1

Working Sequence:

Open Firefox, Search “VST Plugins,” click on wiki article link (random, I know–perhaps superstitious)
Open iTunes, Start Song
Open Windows Sound, Playback [Tab], Speaker, Properties, General [Tab], Properties, Change Settings [Enter Admin Password], [OK] (Leave remaining windows Open)
Open Audacity → Success! (Playing Click track, and Recording activates. No iTunes Stutter, Audacity Opened Quickly)

Trial 2

Close all Windows Sound dialogue boxes
Close Audacity
Firefox Remains Open
Reopen Audacity → Fail (iTunes stutters, and stops. Audacity delayed open time. System sound no longer works in any application.)

Trial 3

Restart Computer
Repeat Trial 1:
Open Audacity → Success! (Playing Click track, and Recording activates. No iTunes Stutter, Audacity Opened Quickly)

Trial 4

Close Audacity
All previous windows remain open
Reopen Audacity → Fail (iTunes stutters, and stops. Audacity delayed open time. System sound no longer works in any application.)

Since I’m on to something, I plan to document the results of subsequent trials which will test the removal of the seemingly extraneous steps in Trial 1. I will hold the above Audacity and Windows Sound settings constant.

Any clues you guys see, or comments?

@Gale–since you remarked about DirectSound and the “Exclusive” check boxes, would you suggest I keep the settings the same? I didn’t choose those to be checked intentionally–they were set that way when I drilled down to investigate.

Thanks!

9

If those “Exclusive Mode” boxes are checked then sample rates and ideally number of channels must match between Audacity and Windows. How many channels of playback are set in Windows Sound, bearing in mind this is a 5:1 sound device? Do you get 5:1 playback if you play a DVD that supports it?

I don’t see any difference in your pairs of trials except you have quit Audacity and you do “something” in Windows “Sound” in the trial where you get audio - what do you do, or is opening and “OK” enough to make the audio work?



Gale

10

It seems the system requires audio to be in use, and some check on the driver with ADMIN rights to be performed before Audacity opens correctly (and doesn’t corrupt the system sound for the session).

I finally took a break from the testing and used Audacity v2.0.0 to record last night, and while it worked, there were still issues getting choppy sound (possible processor load or HDD access issue). I am going to try Gale’s suggestion of reverting to v1.3.12. The main feature I need is latency correction. I will give an update on the outcome.

Thank you all for your help, and I hope this testing/feedback helps the development team improve future versions.


Here are the results of more testing v2.0.0:

Trial 5

Restart Computer
Open iTunes, Start Song
Open Audacity → Fail

Trial 6

Restart Computer
Open Windows Sound, Playback [Tab], Speaker, Properties, General [Tab], Properties, Change Settings [Enter Admin Password], [OK] (Leave remaining windows Open)
Open Audacity → Fail

Trial 7

Restart Computer
Open iTunes, Start Song
Open Windows Sound, Playback [Tab], Speaker, Properties, General [Tab], Properties, Change Settings [Enter Admin Password], [OK] (Leave remaining windows Open)
Open Audacity → Success!

Trial 8

Restart Computer
Open iTunes, Start Song
Open Windows Sound, Playback [Tab], Speaker, Properties, General [Tab], Properties, Change Settings [Enter Admin Password], [OK] (Close remaining sound windows)
Open Audacity → Fail

Trial 9

Restart Computer, use ADMIN account
Open iTunes, Start Song
Open Audacity → Fail

11

If tests 7 and 8 are identical as it appears then it seems no conclusion can be drawn except that it may sometimes help to have audio playing and to access “Sound” before opening Audacity.




Gale

12

OK–thank you all again for your help. To somewhat conclude this thread, I would like to report that Gale’s suggestion of reverting to v1.3.12 corrected my problem instantaneously and provided the features I need. No more headaches and a lot of fun!

13

OK, thanks. Let us know if this proves to be a flash-in-the-pan and still sometimes gives “error opening”.

Since I assume the PortAudio version is the difference, you could perhaps keep a lookout for new Audacity releases by subscribing at http://audacityteam.org/#announce (if you are not already doing so). The release notes for a new Audacity version will state if PortAudio has been updated. There are a lot of good bug fixes between 1.3.12 and later versions.


Gale