Error while opening sound device......

[Max Torrens]

I am being driven crazy by the error message "Error while opening sound device. Please check the input settings and the project sample rate."

I use Windows XP SP3 and have been recording with Audacity 1.2 for three years or so very well. But suddenly this message started coming (around 20th Jan 09) and I cannot solve the problem although I am sure I have checked everything. Using Realtek audio driver. I cannot think of any download to my system that would have interfered with Audacity, though I suppose this must be possible.

Can anyone help me out on this, please? I see from the forum that this problem has vexed people before me!

Max

[kozikowski]

<<<I see from the forum that this problem has vexed people before me!>>>

Then you'll also see that the first thing we ask them is, "What are you recording from?"

Microphone plugged into the Mic-In of the sound card?

Koz

[Max Torrens]

I'm sorry I should have said. I am recording from the radio. In other words, everything is internal. I do not use external input at all. But I have tried a microphone in the mic jack and I still get the error message. Does that focus it down for you?

Max

[steve]

In other words, everything is internal

So you are wanting to record from "Stereo Mix".

We need to look at relevant settings for the sound system, including settings that are not in Audacity.

Do you know how to access your Realtek sound card control panel? (loudspeaker icon near the clock)
Are you familiar with what all of the settings in there are for?

In Audacity, what are the options in "Edit menu > Preferences > Audio I/O" for "recording device" and "playback device"?
Which options do you have selected?

In Audacity, what are the options in "Edit menu > Preferences > Quality" What do you have set for the default sample rate and bit depth?

Can you record with the Microsoft Sound Recorder?

What do you have set in the "Windows Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices" as the default recording and playback devices?

[Max Torrens]

Thank you for your reply. The answer to your questions are:

In other words, everything is internal

So you are wanting to record from "Stereo Mix".

Yes

We need to look at relevant settings for the sound system, including settings that are not in Audacity.

Do you know how to access your Realtek sound card control panel? (loudspeaker icon near the clock)
Are you familiar with what all of the settings in there are for?

I think so. I have visited them many times.

In Audacity, what are the options in "Edit menu > Preferences > Audio I/O" for "recording device" and "playback device"?
Which options do you have selected?

Both are Realtek

In Audacity, what are the options in "Edit menu > Preferences > Quality" What do you have set for the default sample rate and bit depth?

44100Hz; 32-bit rate

Can you record with the Microsoft Sound Recorder?

Yes, with microphone. But I cannot record the radio from the internet.

What do you have set in the "Windows Control Panel > Sounds and Audio Devices" as the default recording and playback devices?

Realteck AC97.

[steve]

Try changing the recording and playback to "Microsoft Sound Mapper".
Restart Audacity so that the changes take effect.

To record "Stereo Mix" you need to set that as the recording source in the Realtek sound card control panel.

[Max Torrens]

Eureka! Those changes did not work on their own but I noticed that the number of channels was set to 4 - God knows how or why. But when I moved this to 2, all was fine.

So, Mr Steve the Fiddle, whoever you may be and wherever you are, many grateful thanks for helping me.

Max (SW England)