iCONNEX iKEY-AUDIO USB sound card help needed

[mwmiller]

I need some basic help with this sound card. I'm sure it's operator error on my part. This item is supposed to allow me to convert LP records, cassette tapes or CD's into files on my computer and convert them into mp3 files I think.

It came with the audacity software on a CD, which I installed.

The instructions for the sound card only say to connect it to the USB port and from there windows will recognize it and complete the installation. No drivers required, etc. I followed the instructions and windows says the device is installed and working correctly.

There are no other instructions with it.

I connected the line input to the line output jacks on the back of my stereo system. The only other connection I made was the USB cord from the computer to the iCONNEX sound card. I played a cassette tape and tried to pick up the signal on my computer but it didn't appear to be getting anything.

The sound card does have a set of output jacks but I didn't have anything connected to them at all. The diagram shows that maybe it should be connected to a mixer/receiver.

Should the stereo tracks be getting into the computer through the USB port, or do I need to have another set of cables connected to my computer for the input? (Where it shows the mixer/receiver)

This is all fairly confusing to me so if anyone has one of these iCONNEX sound cards I sure would appreciate any help you can give me!

Thanks,
Marc

[steve]

Have a look at the first section here: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... g_recorded

The set-up is probably similar to USB turntables (although if you are not using a turntable, ignore the references to "phono pre-amps") http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... turntables

If you are using Vista, see also: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... s_Vista_OS


If the version of Audacity that you received is less than 1.2.6 then you should download 1.2.6 from here: http://audacityteam.org/download/windows
(Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista: Audacity 1.2.6 installer (.exe file, 2.1 MB) )

If you wish to export in MP3 format, you will also need the LAME encoder that is listed on that page.

There's a lot of useful tutorials and tip in the Audacity wiki (link at top of page).

[mwmiller]

Thanks for the help! I'll do some checking on the links you provided and also do more trial and error. I do have version 1.2.6 and am using windows XP.

From what I have read so far it looks like all I need to connect to the computer is the USB cable from the sound card. I suspect I may not be configuring audacity correctly so will go back and try again.

Thanks,
Marc

[jollyj31]

Ive Got to admit marc i think it is a very confusing system, if you have found an easy way to use it please let me know

[mwmiller]

I'm still not having any luck with the iCONNEX iKEY USB sound card.

I can use audacity to record audio from youtube and save/export that as an mp3 file onto my computer, and I can load and edit any mp3 files that I already have on my computer. I haven't done much of this but just enough to feel that the audacity program is working fine and isn't the problem.

I just can't get a recordable signal when I try connecting from the stereo unit's aux output to the iCONNEX sound card into my computer usb port.

If I try switching the various audacity input and recording device choices I can get it to record some seriously ugly feedback-type noises, but this isn't coming from the stereo source through the USB input because I can unplug it while recording and the noise does not change or go away, so it's something unrelated to the USB input.

I have tried to search for answers on the internet but so far this forum is the only place I have found that may offer some help. I have gone through the audacity wiki site too, but so far I'm not making any headway.

I'll keep checking back and see if anyone has any other ideas to try!
Thanks!

Marc

[rajdash01]

I just got my Iconnex and although vista initially acknowledged it, it did not show it in the "my computer" when I checked. The audacity software does not register any rise in audio levels, I have no way of directing it to the usb port for that matter.

Ill keep you posted if I figure anything out. Anyone who has beat me to the finish line...please help!