I Can't Produce a Waveform to Save My Life

Audacity 3 Help Forum macOS
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1
  • Macbook 2014 (don’t judge, I like the keyboard)
  • Big Sur
  • lots of disk space/storage space
  • Checked all the settings - a hundred hours on youtube goes by really fast when you can’t work. I have checked everything ten times.
  • Using focusrite scarlett solo 2i2 and cloudlifter, with fancy cables that cost me a mint
  • Using a shure M58 like all the serious performers do (wink)
  • Just downloaded the newest audacity
  • if I unplug my DAW and use the internal mic and speakers only, I can record and hear it just fine. Great! My clients won’t mind the sudden drop in audio quality!
  • if I plug in my DAW, I can hear myself fine, but when I hit record - flatline.

Does anyone know what the hell is going on? I’m baffled, and I have projects due. Please help a girl out!

2

Your “DAW” is your Focusrite interface?

Check your Privacy/Security Settings to make sure Audacity is allowed to use the USB device.

…DAW means “digital audio workstation” and usually it refers to your software application. (I don’t consider Audacity to be a full DAW. I call it an audio editor.)

3

Yes, I checked that. I call it a DAW for convenience

4

I’m a Windows guy so I can’t really help, but are you hearing yourself with your headphones/speakers plugged directly into the interface and with the interface in “direct monitor” mode, or through the computer?