Playing back audio

[tellmesomethn]

I recorded audio using the Audacity 1.3 Beta (Unicode) and cannot replay when importing. The file was saved as an uncompressed .au file. I am operating in Windows 7. Can anyone give any suggestions on how - can retrieve the audio? Thanks.

[kozikowski]

If you saved anything, you saved an Audacity Project. It's not a sound file. To get a sound file, you should open up your project (click on the AUP file) and Export As WAV or Export As MP3 -- although that's a little more complicated.

Don't move or do anything to the _data folder, the AUP file or any of the AU files. Their location and names are memorized and are part of the show.

Koz

[tellmesomethn]

Thanks, Koz. When I open the file, however, in Audacity, it gives me the option to export. I selected export to wav (Microsoft) signed 16 bit PCM, however, still cannot open it using any other program including Windows media or Quicktime. I noticed, however, when I record in Audacity and play right back without saving while my mic is still plugged in, it plays back. Lisa

[kozikowski]

I need to think about that for a second. When the elves do this, we have to build your system in our heads and then see how it acts. It's very right-brain/left-brain.

Koz

[kozikowski]

Two problems.

The microphone is a USB mic, right? Unlike an analog microphone, USB microphones can change the computer slightly when you plug and unplug them, so it doesn't shock me that other services than just the mic change. Sometimes, the computer assumes that both the microphone and the speaker just got plugged in, and it tries to change things around accordingly. "My speaker stops working when I plug my microphone in."

<<<I selected export to wav (Microsoft) signed 16 bit PCM>>>

That's more worrisome. You have QuickTime for Windows? Which version?

Koz

[kozikowski]

How are you trying to open your music file with all these programs? Right-Click > Open With...? Drag the file into the program? QuickTime > File > Open?

Koz

[kozikowski]

Wait, this is too weird.

Record a sample sound file and export it as Microsoft WAV 16-bit, etc. etc. Unplug the microphone and close Audacity.

Does Windows Media or QuickTime Player play anything else other than that file right this second?

Koz

[tellmesomethn]

The microphone is a paddle mic which has a needle end that plugs directly into my computer. I used Rolls mixer MX-44s also with an audio cable to record and when I hit replay in Audacity without saving it played right back. I'm not sure what version of Quicktime I'm using, it doesn't specify. But, I tried to open my audio file with all of these programs including Quicktime, Windows Media, I-Tunes & Audacity. I right-clicked, selected open-with, and chose the program, however there is no sound. I did not drag the file into the program for I don't see this as an option. I have recently tried, as you've stated, to record a sample audio and exported it to a wav file & immediately opening it up in Windows or Quicktime. Still no sound. I'm wondering if I did something wrong in Audacity to the data while trying to retrieve the files.

[steve]

Try this:

1) Open Audacity
2) In the "Project Rate (Hz)" box in the lower left corner, select "44100"
3) Generate menu > Tone.
4) Click the "OK" button.
5) Press the spacebar (you should hear a tone play - wait for it to stop).
6) File menu > Export
7) In the file browser window, navigate to your Desktop.
8) In the "Name" box type the word "test" (without quotes)
9) Select "WAV (Microsoft) signed 16 bit PCM" as the format
10) Click the "SAVE" button
11) If the "Edit Metadata" screen pops up, click the "OK" button.
12) Close Audacity.

Now go to the desktop and try playing the file "test.wav"