Audacity Forum

I have the problem that Audacity doesn't do anything when I press the record button. The cursor doesn't move, the record level bars don't move. Nothing does. Any thoughts?

Ben

Hi Ben,

Have you checked the "Recording Source" (which is beside the volume controls for recording and playback) to make sure the right setting is selected (e.g. "Stereo Mix", "Line In", etc.).

Also, if you don't have much disk space on your hard disk, that might also cause the problem.

You could also check your sound card settings in the preferences, to see if you have the correct sound card selected. Also make sure the right number of channels is selected (usually either 1 for mono or 2 for stereo).

<<<Also make sure the right number of channels is selected (usually either 1 for mono or 2 for stereo).>>>

Having the wrong number of channels will not prevent a recording. It will just give you a damaged one.

The red record meters can be a handy troubleshooting tool. When you set up to record a performance, click once inside the red record meters before you press record. They will wake up and start measuring the sound--if there is sound there to measure. If the meters don't wake up, there is something wrong with the pathway between your performance and Audacity.

If there is something wrong, you get to deal with the delightful Windows Sound Controls.

Windows Control Panel
http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... trol_Panel

Still, that usually gives you a blank performance, not a jammed cursor....

Can you load and play existing songs? Can you download and play the short piano trill from here...

http://www.kozco.com/tech/soundtests.html

Koz

Thanks for the pointers. I am still in the dark, though. I have just started Audacity, have made no adjustments to my settings and everything works fine

Ben