Recording Quality has become unusable

[linco]

I am a long time Audacity User. I use it primarily to edit music for performances. I usually use music from Spotify and occasionally from YouTube.

Several months ago, my recording quality deteriorated substantially. I assume it coincided with some update, but I don’t know if it was Audacity or Windows 11. But, I can no longer use Audacity for that reason.

My previous setup had used Windows WASAPI as the host. I had used it for years. Now, when I use it, I get an error message: “Error Opening sound device.”. If I change the host, it will record but the quality is muffled; totally unusable.

I am a total loss of what to do about it. I have worked through all of the help files I can find and nothing.

[DVDdoug]

You need to select the device where the sound is coming out (usually your regular soundcard) and it needs to say “loopback”.

Recording Desktop Audio

Note that you may have to start playback before you start recording (but I don’t think you should get an error message). WASAPI can record a silent stream but it can’t record “nothing”.

Some computers/soundcards have “What-U-Here” or “Stereo Mix” which work similarly to capture/record what’s coming out of your soundcard.

The bottom of This Page has some alternative suggestions. Total Recorder has a reputation for being foolproof but it’s not free.

[linco]

Yes, I have done that, and yes, it says ‘loopback’. Problem still exists

[Trebor]

@linco

If I change the host, it will record but the quality is muffled; totally unusable.

Check that Audacity’s project rate is 44100Hz or 48000Hz, (lower rates produce a muffled sound)

[linco]

It was at 44100 and I tried changin it to 48000. No change - issue still exists