Preferences Device "USB Audio" does not appear[SOLVED]

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

Hi,

I don’t see the option to select the device “realtec” in the preferences device field.

I have tried downloading 2 different versions of audacity
Firstly i downloaded the audacity version 1.2.6 on my pc.
then installed lame 3.99

no luck.

uninstalled both. then installed the audacity v2.0.3 and reinstalled lame 3.99.

I looked at the config file audacity.cfg and it didn’t have any lines of code starting with MP3.

I plugged in my cassette player and obivous it doesn’t register anything.

My current preference settings are as follow:

MME / Microsoft sound mapper - Output / Microsoft sound mapper - Input / 2 Stereo.

I tried changing the Microsoft sound mapper to Signma Tel Audio but this didn’t make a difference.
I don’t have an option to select Realtec.

What can I do please.

I’m using WIndows XP.

THanks,
Liz

2

Audacity 1.2.6 is obsolete. You should remove that version.

The current version of Audacity is 2.0.3 and is available here: Audacity ® | Downloads

I would recommend that you uninstall all versions of Audacity, then download Audacity 2.0.3 from the Audacity web site (link above) and install it.
When installing Audacity 2.0.3, look out for and select the option to reset preferences (in the “Select Additional Tasks” screen, put a check in the “Reset Preferences” box).

How did you do that? Where did you plug it in? What sort of cassette player is it?

3

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

When the v1.2 didn’t work I uninstalled and reinstalled the 2.0.3 version from the audacity link and did check t reset preferences (in the “Select Additional Tasks” ).

This still didn’t work. Why can’t I see “realtec”??

Can i do anything on the preferences config file if it just a setting? see below what i have in my cfg file.

I’ve also copied my log file below, if you can help me with any tips please.

re: I plugged in my cassette player - How did you do that? Where did you plug it in? What sort of cassette player
it is a super usb cassette capture made by a company called Ezcap, it plugs in using a usb cable into the back of my laptop. I’ve used it on another laptop and it worked fine.

Kind regards,
Liz


log file:

20:34:23: Audacity 2.0.3
20:34:27: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries…
20:34:27: Trying to load FFmpeg libraries from system paths. File name is ‘avformat-52.dll’.
20:34:27: Looking up PATH environment variable…
20:34:27: PATH = ‘C:WINDOWSsystem32;C:WINDOWS;C:WINDOWSSystem32Wbem;C:Program FilesQuickTimeQTSystem;C:Documents and SettingsElizabethLLocal SettingsApplication DataSmartbarApplication’
20:34:27: Checking that ‘’ is in PATH…
20:34:27: FFmpeg directory is in PATH.
20:34:27: Checking for monolithic avformat from ‘avformat-52.dll’.
20:34:27: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘avformat-52.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
20:34:27: Loading avutil from ‘avutil-50.dll’.
20:34:27: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘avutil-50.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
20:34:27: Loading avcodec from ‘avcodec-52.dll’.
20:34:27: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘avcodec-52.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
20:34:27: Loading avformat from ‘avformat-52.dll’.
20:34:27: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘avformat-52.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
20:34:27: Error: Failed to load FFmpeg libraries.
20:34:27: Error: Failed to find compatible FFmpeg libraries.
20:34:34: Attempting to load LAME from system search paths
20:34:34: Loading LAME from lame_enc.dll
20:34:34: Error: Failed to load shared library ‘lame_enc.dll’ (error 126: the specified module could not be found.)
20:34:34: load failed
20:34:34: Attempting to load LAME from builtin path
20:34:34: LAME registry key exists.
20:34:34: Library path is: C:Program FilesLame For Audacity
20:34:34: Loading LAME from C:Program FilesLame For Audacitylame_enc.dll
20:34:35: Actual LAME path C:Program FilesLame For Audacitylame_enc.dll
20:34:35: LAME library successfully loaded

.cfg file:

NewPrefsInitialized=1
Version=2.0.3
PrefsVersion=1.1.1r1
SnapTo=0
ShowSelectionLength=0
SelectionFormat=hh:mm:ss + milliseconds
[Version]
Major=2
Minor=0
Micro=3
[Directories]
TempDir=C:\DOCUME~1\ELIZAB~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\audacity_temp
[AudioIO]
RecordingDevice=Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input
Host=MME
PlaybackDevice=SigmaTel Audio
RecordingSourceIndex=-1
RecordingSource=
RecordChannels=2
PlaybackSource=
EffectsPreviewLen=6
CutPreviewBeforeLen=2
CutPreviewAfterLen=1
SeekShortPeriod=1
SeekLongPeriod=15
Duplex=1
SWPlaythrough=0
LatencyDuration=100
LatencyCorrection=-130
SoundActivatedRecord=0
SilenceLevel=-50
[FFmpeg]
Enabled=0
[GUI]
Help=Local
ErgonomicTransportButtons=1
ShowSplashScreen=1
EnvdBRange=60
BeepOnCompletion=0
ShowTrackNameInWaveform=0
RetainLabels=0
AutoScroll=1
TracksFitVerticallyZoomed=0
DefaultViewMode=0
SelectAllOnNone=1
EnableCutLines=0
AdjustSelectionEdges=1
CircularTrackNavigation=0
EditClipCanMove=1
Solo=Standard
EmptyCanBeDirty=1
[GUI/ToolBars]
[GUI/ToolBars/Control]
Dock=1
Order=1
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=327
H=55
[GUI/ToolBars/Tools]
Dock=1
Order=2
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=94
H=55
[GUI/ToolBars/Meter]
Dock=1
Order=3
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=338
H=55
[GUI/ToolBars/Mixer]
Dock=1
Order=4
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=323
H=27
[GUI/ToolBars/Edit]
Dock=1
Order=5
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=377
H=27
[GUI/ToolBars/Transcription]
Dock=1
Order=6
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=140
H=27
[GUI/ToolBars/Selection]
Dock=2
Order=1
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=662
H=55
[GUI/ToolBars/Device]
Dock=1
Order=7
Show=1
X=-1
Y=-1
W=620
H=27
[Window]
X=0
Y=0
Width=780
Height=620
Maximized=0
Normal_X=0
Normal_Y=0
Normal_Width=780
Normal_Height=620
Iconized=0
[SamplingRate]
DefaultProjectSampleRate=44100
DefaultProjectSampleFormat=262159
[Quality]
LibsoxrSampleRateConverter=1
DitherAlgorithm=0
LibsoxrHQSampleRateConverter=3
HQDitherAlgorithm=3
[Locale]
Language=
[FileFormats]
CopyOrEditUncompressedData=copy
ExportDownMix=1
AllegroStyle=1
SaveProjectWithDependencies=ask
[AudioFiles]
NormalizeOnLoad=0
ShowId3Dialog=1
[ExtendedImport]
OverrideExtendedImportByOpenFileDialogChoice=1
[Spectrum]
FFTSize=256
WindowType=3
MinFreq=0
MaxFreq=8000
Gain=20
Range=80
FrequencyGain=0
Grayscale=0
[Warnings]
FirstProjectSave=1
DiskSpaceWarning=1
MixStereo=1
MixMono=1
CopyOrEditUncompressedDataAsk=1
[Ladspa]
Enable=1
[Nyquist]
Enable=1
[VAMP]
Enable=1
[VST]
Enable=1
GUI=1
Rescan=0
[Module]
mod-script-pipe=0
mod-nyq-bench=0
mod-track-panel=0
[Prefs]
PrefsCategory=0
4

Are you trying to record from the USB cassette player, or record YouTube or other streaming audio on the computer? Realtec has nothing to do with the cassette player.

To record the USB cassette player, you want to connect the cassette player first, then make sure Windows sees it. When you have done that, start (or restart) Audacity - Audacity cannot see the USB device if you plug it into the computer after starting Audacity. Then in Audacity, choose SigmaTel for playback and the USB Audio CODEC (or similar, which will be the cassette player) for input.

This is all explained in the Manual:
http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/recording_with_usb_turntables.html .


Gale

5

Hi

I’m using my USB cassette capture and I think my problem is that windows doesn’t see it.
I got a message “device not recognized”.
therefore, i went to control panel and device manager, unintalled my usb devices, restarted my machine.
I i plug my usb back in

I still don’t see it in audacity.
does my pc have to have a certain spec? what is realtec anyway - is it something on the motherboard and how do i check that my pc has a good enough spec to run this.

I’ve run my usb cassette on another laptop (not mine) and got it working so I know it is not the device itself but something to do with my motherboard or drivers???

how do I verify that my device is recognised by windows - should I see it in explorer?

Thanks,
Liz

6

Realtek may be the name of the built-in audio device on the motherboard. It may be called something else. You will need to choose that built-in device to play anything you record from the cassettes.

The USB cassette player will not show in Explorer because it is not a file storage device. It should show in Device Manager and in Windows Sounds and Audio Devices .

I suggest you follow everything in the green box “Detecting USB and Firewire Devices” here http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_recording_troubleshooting.html#flatline . In particular, try another USB cable and make sure both ends are tight.

What operating system is the computer that detects this cassette player?


Gale

7

By the way, you mentioned “Sigmatel” before, so that is probably the name of your built-in device.


Gale

8

thanks so so much for your help. in the end it was a faulty cable that had been a bit pulled so your suggestion was perfect.
the cable was charging the device so it looked fine but the cable was partially damaged which meant the USB device didn’t install properly.

All is working perfectly now… about 3 weeks later… :slight_smile: thanks so so much. very happy and really appreciate your support.

Kind regards,
Liz