Audacity Forum

Yes, it's conventional.

Dark_Forge99 wrote:Followed every step before that, but I still couldn't hear anything coming from my microphone.

Hmm, that should be working unless, I've missed something.

You are using XP Pro SP2, and have a "RealTek HD" sound card.
The "RealTek HD" sound card is the only audio device on your system.

Let's go through and check all the settings so far:

1) On this screen: http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a59/Da ... itled1.jpg
The Playback knob is set to zero (we will turn this up later).
All playback sliders are set to full as in the picture.
The Record volume knob is set to maximum.
All Recording inputs except the microphone are muted.
The Microphone Recording input is not muted.
(SPDIF Playback is muted - this should not matter either way)

2) http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a59/Da ... itled3.jpg
Microphone plugged into the pink socket, headphones into the green socket.
You can hear other sounds (such as system sounds and media player playback) through the headphones.

3) The Microphone test on this page http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a59/Da ... itled4.jpg
The microphone input meter responds to speaking into the microphone.

4) Sounds and Audio devices > Audio tab http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a59/Da ... itled6.jpg
Looks identical to this picture.

5) This screen: http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a59/Da ... itled9.jpg
The Mic Playback Volume is NOT muted.

6) Carefully turn up both the Microphone Playback Volume and the master Playback Volume knob.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a59/Da ... itled9.jpg

Do you hear the microphone through the headphones?

Actually Steve, the RealTek HD Sound is actually integrated onto the motherboard. And I have a Creative SoundBlaster card connected to my computer, but it' been disabled through device manager. Maybe this information helps? (Please don't tell me I have to take the Creative card out)

And no, I do not hear the microphone through the headphones.

So about the steps you've given me...

1.) The playback knob is not at zero, that's actually half-way. Everything else is as you stated and true.
2.) Correct.
3.) No. That is not true. The microphone input reader actually responds to sounds coming from the computer,
such as a music/video file. Even a game. My voice has no effect on the input level.
4.) Correct.
5.) Correct.
6.) There is no difference.

I still can't hear my microphone.

Dark_Forge99 wrote:3.) No. That is not true. The microphone input reader actually responds to sounds coming from the computer, such as a music/video file. Even a game. My voice has no effect on the input level.

Well that is where the problem is then,
BUT.....

Dark_Forge99 wrote:And I have a Creative SoundBlaster card connected to my computer, but it' been disabled through device manager. Maybe this information helps? (Please don't tell me I have to take the Creative card out)

Why didn't you say so sooner?

No I won't tell you to take the Creative card out - quite the opposite. Disable the Realtek HD, preferably in BIOS, but failing that disable it in the device manager, and use the Creative sound card.

Depending on which model of SoundBlaster card you have, and how "techy" you feel, you may be able to use the "KX Project" drivers. They are a bit complicated, but are excellent for working with sound and music. http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/
I use a "SoundBlaster Live Value" with the KX drivers on my Windows machine and although the sound card is now rather dated, the sound quality is very good, it is completely stable and very versatile. It even give me access to all the hardware effects that are built into the audio chip, Sound Font support, and much more.

If you are just wanting to do a bit of simple audio editing you will probably find it easier to use the standard Creative drivers, but remember to turn off any "audio enhancements" such as "EAX" and "bass enhance" or you will not be able to hear your recordings as they really are, and they may sound completely different after you have turned your recordings into CDs.