Audacity Forum

Hi,
I was used to record with audacity for my band,
But I experienced some problems with it ...
Here it is:
Since I re installed my windows XP home, on my laptop, and I reinstalled audacity, I can't choose anymore the recording source I used to set to record --> I was used to record with the "wave" source, that allows to record one track, then an other one, naturally.

Actually, the problem is that the only source I can select is "stereo mix": I can't make good records with it, cause while recording a second track, this source records the first one too !!!
So the sound is not good
--> The wave source allowed to listen to the playback without recording it and to record the new track only !

My computer is a toshiba Satellite M70-168, Windows XP Home, and the sound card (motherboard integrated I think), is a
"Intel 82801FB ICH6 - AC'97 Audio Controller B1"

Please help, I'd be so grateful !!

A couple of thoughts:
Check that the various inputs for the sound device are not muted in the Control Panel sound mixer - I think Audacity can't "see" inputs that are muted in the mixer.

Check that you have the most recent drivers installed - sometimes the inputs are limited by the driver.

The reason Audacity is re-recording one track in another is caused by the fact that "Stereo Mix" is the collective audio output, so you get everything you can hear being folded back into the new track. Solve your input problem and this problem will go away.

One more thought - if you're serious about recording music, I would recommend that you consider upgrading to an external USB or Firewire audio device. In my opinion most onboard laptop soundchips are simply not up to the task.

Thanks for these solutions !!!

Actually, I finally found how to deal with it:

I own a Line 6 Tone port, and I used to record with an other sound card.
But on my desktop computer, I noticed that I could have many more inputs in the selector: One of them was named "wave" or "wave in" can't remember exactly...

So I was looking for the same input names on my laptop computer, then I realized maybe the input names depend of the sound card wich is plugged in the laptop !!
FInally, I solved the problem, doing what you wrote in your post, and using my Line 6.

Thanks man !!!
But I'd have another question: WOuld it be possible to use the wave input, by installing some other types of drivers ? Cause I know this input offers some functions to the recording with audacity...
But maybe we have to stay with propper drivers...

Anyway, I thank you for having answered my post !!!!