listening while recording

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Renald
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listening while recording

Post by Renald » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:05 pm

I'm trying to transcribe cassette tapes to my PC (and eventually discs), using a cassette deck and a Windows 7 PC.

Have succeeded in recording and saving the audio files onto my PC but somehow cannot listen to the tapes while I am recording them (though I can hear them in the playback mode).

How can I set Audacity so that I can hear the tapes while they are being recorded? Sorry if this sounds too basic: I'm new to Audacity! Thanks for any help on this!

steve
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Re: listening while recording

Post by steve » Mon Jun 14, 2010 10:15 pm

What sort of tape machine are you using and how is it connected to your computer?
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Renald
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Re: listening while recording

Post by Renald » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:56 am

Am using a BIC T-05M stereo cassette deck. It has two "audio out" outlets. The cable starts with two cables which after 5 inches or so are merged into one cable, which goes into my PC's Line-In opening. As I mentioned, I have no problems recording the cassettes, saving them as AUP or Wav files and then listening to them using Audacity's playback arrow. So why can't I hear them as they are being recorded?

steve
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Re: listening while recording

Post by steve » Tue Jun 15, 2010 7:00 am

You need to adjust a sound card setting. Currently you have probably got your sound card set with the Playback setting for the "Line In" either muted, or with the volume right down. (assuming that you are using Windows) Have a look near the time/date in the lower right corner of the Desktop for a loudspeaker icon. If there is one (there usually is), double click on it (or perhaps right click for a menu) and open the sound card mixer/control panel applet. You need to enable the playback for the Line-input.
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waxcylinder
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Re: listening while recording

Post by waxcylinder » Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:38 am

You also need to set your Audacity Recording Preferences to enable "Sooftware Playthrough" - it is normally off by default.

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steve
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Re: listening while recording

Post by steve » Tue Jun 15, 2010 4:28 pm

waxcylinder wrote:You also need to set your Audacity Recording Preferences to enable "Sooftware Playthrough"
No, probably not. Switching on Software Playthrough is likely to open up additional signal paths that will probably cause echoes or feedback.
The BIC T-05M stereo cassette deck is NOT a USB machine, it is connected to the PC Line In, so playback should be configured using the sound cards (hardware) and not software playthrough in Audacity.
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Renald
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Re: listening while recording

Post by Renald » Wed Jun 16, 2010 4:10 pm

I tried the play-through setting and that did, indeed, create a distorted sound. Then called Dell and had a TechSupport person reconfigure my sound card and that did the trick.

Thank you all for your helpful suggestions and recommendations.

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