Unable to record

[immergruen]

I have downloaded Version 1.2.6 and made all the recommended settings.
I can play the cassette player and the sound is played through the speakers.
However recording does not take place. The recording line (WAV Line?)is aboslutely straight.
I downloaded a free trial from NCH and after using this successfully for a few moments
I then tried Audacity which then started to record. However if I switched the computer
off and re-booted the Audacity program did not record until after I had used the NCH
program.
The free trial from NCH has now expired and the Audacity program has ceased to record.
I am tempted to buy the NCH program but this might not work.
I have checked all the settings in Audacity and the only item that I can point out is that the
Meter Toolbar for input and output only shows intermittently and only after I slide the volume
control back and forward

I am using Windows XP Professional.

I trust that you can help and look forward to hearing from you.

[steve]

I would highly recommend upgrading to Audacity 1.3.12
http://audacityteam.org/download/
If the problem persists after upgrading we should be able to talk you through the necessary settings

[steve]

I have downloaded Audacity 1.3.12 but the problem
persists.

How is the cassette player connected to the computer? Is it a USB cassette player?

[immergruen]

The cassette player is connected from the phono jack to the line in.
I'm using a 1.5mm stereo cable.

I hope this helps.

[steve]

See here http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Trans ... _equipment
If you get stuck, please describe as fully as possible what equipment you are using, what you have done so far, and where you get stuck.

[immergruen]

I have had no succes with recording on Audacity 1.3.12-beta(unicode)
There may be simple solution but I cannot see it.
However I've successfully downloaded Audacity 1.3.12-beta(unicode) to
my very old laptop and have been able to record from my radio/cassette/CD and from
my mini disc player. The sound reproduction is not excellent but the main point is that
the operating system is the same as my main computer - Windows XP Professsional.
On my main computer with regard to the input mixer I get the following message
"cannot control input level: use system mixer." I'm unable to do this.
I'm not sure what you want to know about the equipment I'm using.
Whatever input device I use, the sound is played through the speakers and the
input and output level meters show that sound is there. When I try to record all
that shows is a straight line.
As I said earlier I was able to record from my radio, cassette player, CD player and mini disc player.
I am able to play these recordings on Audacity 1.3.12-beta(unicode).

There must be some small item that I am missing.
I trust that you can help.

[steve]

Computer sound cards typically have more than one input. For example on a Desktop computer it is usual to have a "Line in" socket, a"Microphone" socket and may also have a CD input (connected to the optical drive inside the computer) and perhaps other internal inputs.

In order to record something you need to set the sound card to use the right input, and you need to set a reasonable level for that input.
Audacity is sometimes able to help you set this up, but that depends on whether the sound card drivers (software) takes any notice of what Audacity tells it to do.

If the sound card drivers do not support control from other applications, (as in your case) then you will need to set up the sound card using either its own software, or the operating system. It is common for sound cards to include their own "mixer" application that allows the user to set the inputs/outputs and levels. This is usually accessed through a "loudspeaker" icon near the time/date. If you have an icon that looks like a loudspeaker near the time/date, try double clicking on it or right clicking on it to access the mixer.

If you do not have such an icon, you will need to go into the Windows Control Panel to set the inputs and outputs. There is some information about this here: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... trol_Panel

[immergruen]

I've tried all that you suggested and still no recording.
I'm still surprised that 1.2 recorded when I had the NCH trial
program and when the trial expired the 1.2 stopped recording.
I can still record on my laptop and save to an external hard drive.

Many thanks for you help.

[steve]

You should be using Audacity 1.3.12.
What are your recording settings in the Windows Control Panel?

[immergruen]

I'm almost too ashamed to admit that I've found the answer.
Somehow the recording volume had been muted. So I've
unmuted and everything is now working properly.

Many thanks and apologies for wasting your time.