Getting started

[howhead]

I have successfully downloaded Audacity but am having difficulty setting up to record ffrom a USB turntable. I have looked at the Help topics but cannot see where the Preferences/Audio I/O etc haedinmgs are to be found. I have linked up the turntable and connected with USB lead but can make no more progress.
Can you please give me some easy to follow guidance on what I need to do and how I do it. Thank you.

[waxcylinder]

have yoe seen this Wiki article: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... _turntable

WC

[howhead]

Thanks but, yes I have seen it and this is where the references to Preferences, Audio I/O came from.

[waxcylinder]

you can get to the preferences via Edit > Preferences or you can use the CTRL+P keyboard shortcut

WC

[howhead]

Thanks for this, easy when you know how. Next problem is that going throuhg those moves to the Recording section the "USB Audio CODEC" line does not appear, only the Sound Mapper and C Media Wave Device, together with my Sound Card. How do I get CODEC to appear there? CODEC appears in my Hardware (in Control) and is said to be working properly.

[waxcylinder]

Next problem is that going throuhg those moves to the Recording section the "USB Audio CODEC" line does not appear, only the Sound Mapper and C Media Wave Device, together with my Sound Card. How do I get CODEC to appear there? CODEC appears in my Hardware (in Control) and is said to be working properly.

Well now you have me puzzled. I no longer have my USB turntable (it was an ION iTTUSB), but when I did the USB CODEC was always selectable as an available device in the Audio I/O>Recording section of the preferences. In fact one of the problems I encountered when I started was the USB CODEC was auto selected as the out put device as well as the input device (and hence I confusingly got no sound output - as the TT of course has no speakers!).

I now use an external USB soundcard (Edirol UA-1EX) and that shows up ok as a selectable device in both 1.2.6 and 1.3.7 on both my desktop PC running Windows XP-HE and my laptop running XP-PRO.

Normally plugging in a USB device like your TT or an external USB soundcard will result in Audaity selecting it as the input and out device - hence my puzzlement.

Things to try:

1) Try opening Audacity with the USB TT unplugged - and then plugging in the USB plug to your computer.

2) Try opening Audacity with the USB device alredy plugged in.

3) Try a different USB port on uour computer. You're not using a USB hub are you?

4) It's probably worth downloading Audacity 1.3.7. Don't be put off by the fact that it is Beta software - it is now at avery late stage of development and is very stable now - I only ever use 1.3 nowadays. In 1.3.7 you will find an extra toolbar which enables a more direct selection of the I/O devices without the need to go through the Preferences.

5) Have you seen this particular section of the Wiki: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php? ... ing_system - it may be that you have a USB conflict.

It would help if you told us what platform you are on which computer, what operating system - and which particular USB TT you are using.

WC

[howhead]

Thanks. I'll try your suggestions and hope for a breakthrough. I'll let you know.

[howhead]

To WC

Thanks, I've now got CODEC where it should be so on to the next step of trying to record something.

[waxcylinder]

Glad you got it working.

So which of steps actually made it work for you? This may help others in the future who have a similar problem.

WC

[howhead]

Not sure just what did it. I did a complete disconnect and reconnect and off we went - even using a hub! And I'v even got a recording done so now it's on to refining, tidying up and greater adventures. So, thanks again for your help.