Audacity Forum

Okay, I hate to post this since it seems its an all too common problem, but the WIKI and the forums didn't help, so here's the thing. [It's Windows XP]

I recently formatted my PC, and after reinstalling everything I COULD record my PC's output [Stereo Mix] just fine, but I couldn't record the line in. I could select it, but Audacity recorded silence. So I remembered what I had done once upon time and reinstalled the drivers (VIA HD Audio ver. 6.0.1.1400) so I could get this Via HD AUDIO DECK (who needs that anyway it's just an overpumped GUI for Windows' sound mixer), which allows you to reroute the recording thingies (Line in, mic, and CDAudio) to/via(?) "analog". SO if anyone wants help doing that I'll post how to do it.

As soon as I did that I could record line in as I wanted, problem solved. Except that now I realize that there's no option in the drop down menu for stereo mix (there's only line in, mic, and CDAudio). I tried the wiki, I tried rummaging through the windows' AND Via's mixers, changing the devices in audacity's I/O, installing the latest beta (1.3.12) and even the Realtek troubleshooting forum which suggests editing the drivers .ini files, but couldn't find any relevant line in my ini files.

Eventually I can juts plug my line out to my line in, but it will be a pain to crouch myself under the desk and exchange jacks EVERY time I want to record the PCs output. So if anyone can think of anything I seem to still not have tried, I'm all ears, erm, eyes. Or maybe someone can at least tell me this is a deadend because windows' mixer only has those three options (line in, cdaudio and mic), and I'm guessing before installing the drivers there was a fourth option labeled "stereo mix". Sigh.

I presume that you have found this screen and enabled all inputs?



If you have, then Stereo Mix is not supported by your current drivers.
(note that "Stereo Mix" is sometimes called "Mix" or "What U Hear" or "Sum" or some similar name).

Some possible options are:

1) Try to find a newer/older driver that supports both line in and stereo mix. (Latest drivers often have Stereo Mix disabled - possibly due to concerns about people working round DRM).

2) Upgrade your sound card to one that supports Stereo Mix.

3) Continue using a loop-back cable as you do now.

4) Use a "virtual sound card" software solution such as "Total Recorder" or "Virtual Audio Cable" (sorry I don't know of any free alternatives for Windows)

5) Upgrade to Linux.

Right click Sound Icon on Task bar
Select Recording Devices
If stereo mix not visible right click blank spot in box
Select show hidden files
Select Stereo mix set as default

Can do same By > Control Panel > Select view by category > Sound

Thrax wrote:Right click Sound Icon on Task bar
Select Recording Devices
If stereo mix not visible right click blank spot in box
Select show hidden files
Select Stereo mix set as default

On Windows XP ?

stevethefiddle wrote:

Thrax wrote:Right click Sound Icon on Task bar
Select Recording Devices
If stereo mix not visible right click blank spot in box
Select show hidden files
Select Stereo mix set as default

On Windows XP ?

No, only on Vista and 7. And @Thrax, since you're posting this a lot, please let's make it accurate. The right-click menu items are "Show Disabled Devices" and "Show Disconnected Devices". The most useful thing to do when this information is relevant to the topic would be to link to this page on our Wiki:
http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Mixer ... es#vistacp

Thanks,



Gale