I have installed the software (version 2.1.1) on my PC (Windows 10) but the device will not connect to the PC. It also fails to connect to my Macbook Air. It works perfectly well to play tapes listening with earphones. What can I do about this? I have tried connecting and disconnecting several times.
The current version of Audacity is 2.1.2 and is available for free download here: http://www.audacityteam.org/download/
AO156 will not connect to PC
Is that a USB cassette player?
If so, perhaps this will help: http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/recording_with_usb_turntables.html
Thank you very much for your speedy response. I have downloaded Audacity 2.1.2. I have checked for all disabled and disconnected devices. The only ones listed under ‘sound’ are high-definition microphone, line in, stereo mix and USB microphone (default). No USB device. Is this a Windows problem? I have done the ‘search for hardware’ with the cassette recorder plugged in and the PC cannot see it.
David
USB cassette players and turntables are usually called “microphones” by Windows.
Try disconnecting the USB cassette recorder from the computer and watching Windows Sound. If the “USB microphone” disappears then your device is called “USB microphone” and Windows is seeing it.
Audacity won’t see it if you connect it after Audacity is already running. If that is the problem, try Transport > Rescan Audio Devices at the top of the Audacity window. Then in Device Toolbar, choose the “USB microphone” as recording device (second box) and your computer speakers as playback device (fourth box).
There is more help here: http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/recording_with_usb_turntables.html.
Gale
Thank you very much for your advice. I did as you suggested and now the cassette is recognised as ‘USB microphone’ and is clearly connected to the PC.
In the Transport tab on my PC there is no red or yellow button. However there is a ‘play/stop’ command which begins the recording process. Except that no ‘recording’ takes place (I note your instruction about turning on the cassette player before attempting to record). The blue lines remain resolutely flat.
I am really sorry to bother you with yet another question.
David
Unless you cannot use a mouse, it may be easier to use the buttons in Audacity’s Transport Toolbar:
You have to click the red button to start recording. Using the keyboard, press “R” which is the keyboard shortcut for Record.
You also have to turn the recording volume up in Mixer Toolbar:
.
If the vertical green meter for the “USB microphone” in Windows Sound bounces to the sound from the cassette deck, but you record a flat line, your Audacity settings are wrong.
If the Windows meter does not bounce, then try another USB cable and make sure the cable is tight at both ends.
Gale
Got it! Thank you very much.
David