Not Record from my Synthesizer

[chueh]

I am connecting the stereo audio output of my synthesizer to the input of my laptop (windows 7). When I use the Microsoft Sound Recorder, everything is recorded fine. However, Audacity 1.3 cannot record exactly the same thing as I did using Microsoft Sound Recorder. I tried adjusting the volumes of the input and the output of Audacity, the signal is not picked up at all. The wave line is showing a complete straight line across.

I actually have been using the previous version of Audacity (1.2) on my desktop (Vista) connected with a tape cassett. It has always been working beautifully. I am wondering if there are conflicts between Audacity and Windows 7, audio output of the synth and Audacity, or the audio output of the synth and the LINE-IN connector of the laptop. My laptop has only ONE INPUT, which can be used either as a line-in or a microphone input. I have to choose which one I want. The Microsoft Sound Recorder is both working for a microphone or line-in. Even if I set the audio input to be only "line-in" to get the data from my synthesizer, Microsoft Sound Recorder still picks up the signals.

Please help me; I really like Audacity... I would like to be able to use it

[Gale Andrews]

I am connecting the stereo audio output of my synthesizer to the input of my laptop (windows 7). When I use the Microsoft Sound Recorder, everything is recorded fine. However, Audacity 1.3 cannot record exactly the same thing as I did using Microsoft Sound Recorder. I tried adjusting the volumes of the input and the output of Audacity, the signal is not picked up at all. The wave line is showing a complete straight line across.

I actually have been using the previous version of Audacity (1.2) on my desktop (Vista) connected with a tape cassett. It has always been working beautifully. I am wondering if there are conflicts between Audacity and Windows 7, audio output of the synth and Audacity, or the audio output of the synth and the LINE-IN connector of the laptop. My laptop has only ONE INPUT, which can be used either as a line-in or a microphone input. I have to choose which one I want. The Microsoft Sound Recorder is both working for a microphone or line-in. Even if I set the audio input to be only "line-in" to get the data from my synthesizer, Microsoft Sound Recorder still picks up the signals.

You should set the laptop switch to line-in, or the input may be distorted.

You need to choose the line-in for the inbuilt sound device in the "Recording Device" dropdown in Audacity Preferences. See:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Windo ... d_playback

If you also have USB Audio devices attached to the laptop, like a microphone, try removing them.



Gale

[chueh]

Gale,

I did choose Line-in for my laptop. As far as the Audacity's Edit/References/Recording Device, there is only one locked option there "Sigmatel Microphone/Line-in." My laptop is using one single connector for both microphone and line-in. As long as "line-in" is chosen for my laptop. Audacity should should pick up the signals.

Are there other things I can do instead? Thanks

[Gale Andrews]

I did choose Line-in for my laptop. As far as the Audacity's Edit/References/Recording Device, there is only one locked option there "Sigmatel Microphone/Line-in." My laptop is using one single connector for both microphone and line-in. As long as "line-in" is chosen for my laptop. Audacity should should pick up the signals.

Are you using 1.3.12 (Help > About Audacity)? If not please do so then we know what version you have.

Recording Device in Audacity should also have "Microsoft Sound Mapper - Input" if you choose the MME host or "Primary Sound Capture Driver" if you use the Windows DirectSound host. Those recording devices map to the default system recording device - try them.

Otherwise, go to the system mixer and try things mentioned there. Click the Recording tab and right-click over the Sigmatel mic/line device. Set it as "Default device". Right-click again and choose Properties then the "Advanced" tab. Follow the instructions to set the Default Format to the Audacity project rate (or change the Audacity project rate to match the Default Format). Turn on both Exclusive Mode options in the "Advanced" tab and choose the Windows DirectSound host in Audacity Preferences

I'm not clear - have you tried Audacity 1.2 on Windows 7? You can install it as well as 1.3.12 if it's installed to a different directory. We don't recommend it for Windows 7, but there could be cases where it will record and 1.3.12 won't. Also make sure your Sigmatel sound device has the latest drivers specific to your particular computer model and to Windows 7, as supplied by the motherboard manufacturer. See Updating Sound Device Drivers for help. Audacity is sensitive to correct sound device drivers.




Gale

[chueh]

Gale,

OoHoo!!!! It works now...... The Sigmatel has to be "DEFAULT."

Thank you so so so so very much!

[Gale Andrews]

It works now...... The Sigmatel has to be "DEFAULT."

Glad it's working. The only thing that should be essential is that the device is enabled, not that it's default. Otherwise those who have multiple inputs for a device could never switch between them in Audacity. It may be that updating the drivers for the Sigmatel would help, although it isn't much problem for you if you only have one input.



Gale