Audacity Forum

I'm using Audacity to digitize my vinyl collection. I've done it several times with great success, but suddenly it seems my exported files are completely silent. I don't believe I've changed any settings. My output levels all seem to be up, the audio waveforms are all present, the output device is set correctly, the files track properly in iTunes... everything seems to be fine except for the fact that the mp3s are silent... I don't understand.

I'm using Vista on a New-ish Dell. My playback device is set to my Sigma Tel, not Mapper. The tracks play beautifully in Audacity, but are dead silent after I export them to mp3 or wav. I still have the audacity files.

If you need more info I'll do my best to deliver.

Thank you so much in advance!

Update: After I unplugged my Ion turntable my computer's audio went really haywire and eventually worked itself out... Seems the problem is in the Ion software messing with my soundcard or something... The exported mp3s are working great now after I unplugged my Ion. Very strange...

Ok last one. For anyone who encounters a similar problem, I've figured it out. It took me all freaking night, but here's what I learned.

Since the Ion USB Turntable is an audio device, when you plug it in to your computer windows sometimes defaults it as both your input AND output device.
The turntable obviously has no speakers so you must go into your control panel and tell it to only use your Ion for input and your soundcard for output.

I was confused because for some reason Audacity bypasses this and still sends audio out your computer's speakers when the Ion is plugged in unlike iTunes... what a mess. haha