No Playback of tracks while recording despite "Play other"

[harrythekimm]

I am running Audacity v 1.2.6 on Windows XP and although it was fine for several days after installation, now no playback of any previously recorded tracks can be heard while recording new tracks.

I checked this forum and followed advise on the preferences "Playback Other Tracks While Recording new one" - which is selected and the configuration for the Windows Control Panel for sound - the sound settings are not set to mute and levels are set ok.

This happens if I am set to use Microsoft Sound Mapper or my Conexant HD Audio. I re-installed - no joy. I did not uninstall and re-install as I am not seeing an uninstall program. My mic is either laptop built in mic or a simple headset/mic combo as used for VOIP...no USB based mic - it is either the laptop builtin or that which plugs into the mic input jack. Listening on headset plugged into headset jack.

I tried another PC I have using Vista and it is ok on that and worked fine in my primary PC in question here - but no longer. Once in a blue moon on re-trying to record, I'll suddenly hear tracks and then next attempt silence again.

Driving me crazy as I cannot record without listening to other tracks! Does the "Always Allow Playing" choice on Interface in preferences have any bearing?

Playback after recording in all cases is fine - I hear this consistently ok.

Harry

[kozikowski]

<<<a simple headset/mic combo as used for VOIP>>>

Do you use Skype or one of the other services? Skype in particular Always Works in almost any computer because they rip the sound services out of your hands, reconfigure them for a phone call and then sometimes don't give them back later.

VOIP and Audacity in full production mode run the computer sound services both directions at the same time. No small feat that, especially getting it to work with no bad interactions or other damage.

Koz

[harrythekimm]

Not using any VOIP, no Skype, etc. just using a headset with the mic on headset...

[BlueHippo]

This just now started happening for me as well, it never used to do this before, and I haven't touched any of my other settings. I too tried playing with the always allow playing, but still no result. This is rather odd indeed :0

I haven't tried recording in a couple weeks, and it seems that this thread was made a couple weeks ago. Very strange *rubs chin*

[edit] oh man i sure feel pretty dumb. figured it out, maybe this will help you. I never unchecked this option before, dunno why it turned off.'

under preferences, go to audio i/o, and check the top checkbox 'play other tracks while recording new one'

ta da. feel silly, but at least the problem has been solved :X

[kozikowski]

The first poster had that checked and it still didn't work. If I was on a Windows machine, I would probably check that Windows was sending the playback sound to where you think. A common problem with, say USB sound devices, is that Windows assumes it needs to send sound out the same port that it's receiving it. If the USB device is a turntable. That doesn't work too well.
Koz