First time user of Audacity. I want to record LP’s through my receiver into a Surface laptop running Windows 10. The only inputs on the laptop are two USBs. I ran RCA phone plugs from the Tape Out on my receiver into the laptop USB. I also tried the audio outputs from Video. There is no LIne Out. The only recording devices recognized in the Audio Setup are Microphone Array or Microsoft Sound Mapper-input (under MME host). Both settings capture the internal microphone in the laptop, not a line in or tape in signal. Advice on how I can record the turntable signal?
The “Tape-out” (and also the "Line-our) is an analog output.
The computer needs a digital signal on the USB port.
You need an “external sound card” like the Behringer UCA-202 or equivalent.
Exactly what USB device or cable to you have? When you go into Windows control panel does it show-up as an input/recording device?
Tape-out is a line level signal. 
Tape out is what I was hoping would work. I hoped this was going to be a simple project several weeks ago. The input device is my receiver tape out. I suspect that romontshun is right about my next step.
Along the way I learned that my Bluetooth turntable won’t connect w my laptop. Only speakers.
My longer term goal is to retrieve music off my old cassette tapes. Had to start by finding and repairing a cassette deck. Then ordering the needed patch cords that apparently came from China….3 weeks. Sigh.
Thanks to you both.
Does the turntable also have USB? That would make things easy!
You never said how you were connecting the analog RCA outputs to USB. There are some cables with an analog-to-digital converter chip built-into then USB connector…
Tape-out is perfect once you have line-in. Line-in (blue) on a regular soundcard in a desktop/tower computer will work. Most laptops only have mic-in and headphone-out (and the microphone input isn’t compatible).
A headphone output will also work with line-in.
I assume the turntable is working with your stereo?
The Behringer UCA202 is popular and inexpensive or there are lots of higher-end interfaces with switchable mic/line inputs.
Don’t buy a “regular USB soundcard”. they are like laptops with only mic-in and headphone-out.
DVDdoug, thanks. I connected with the cable that is straight RCA to USB. No converter chip. It looks like the Behringer is the solution at this point. If I can find one in stock. No line in, no mic in. Just the usb. I plan to use Audacity, since I have it on the laptop already.
Nobody makes a cable like that without a chip in it.
There’s room for a tiny chip in the USB connector-end. Do you have a link?
There’s a chance that it’s a DAC chip (analog out to the RCA connectors) rather than an ADC (analog-in from the USB).
Does Windows show it as a USB device?